My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I was initially disappointed when I found out that this book was just the screenplay and not an actual novel. However, within the first few pages I was immediately intrigued. The idea of reading a screenplay may sound boring at first, but actually proved to be quite a different experience.
In December of 1927, a young man arrives in the New York harbor wearing a dark blue coat and carrying a battered, ordinary looking suitcase. Newt Scamander may give the appearance of a shy Englishman that's visiting New York for the first time. However, beyond that sweet smile is an extraordinary man who is anything but ordinary and within that old suitcase is whole world unto itself.
Newt Scamander is a wizard who hails from the hidden Wizarding World. He's also a magizoologist with a deep love and respect for all creatures, even the ones that other people might despise. Newt's trip to New York is to release a Thunderbird (Frank) into the Arizona desert. Yet, his animals residing in his suitcase have other plans.
In a span of 24 hours, Newt's creatures wreck havoc all over New York. The trouble leads Newt to cross paths with Jacob Kowalski, a non-magic or no-maj (American term for muggle) who is struggling to open his new bakery, Tina and Queenie Goldstein, witches who work at MACUSA (The Magical Congress of The United States of America), the governing board of American witches and wizards, and Credence Barebones, a scared young boy who is abused and hated for his hidden magical nature.
Prior to Newt's arrival in America, New York's no-maj community has been experiencing strange attacks from a manic and deadly force. The notorious dark wizard and anti non-magic persons protester Gellert Grindelwald is rising to power, his followers streaming from all over the world. No doubt that Grindelwald is behind these bizarre attacks, but MACUSA is at a loss to know how to find and stop him.
Newt, his creatures and his American allies are caught up in this twisted mystery and must stop this deadly force before it exposes the Wizarding World. Yet, MACUSA's enemy has been closer than they expected and he will stop at nothing to complete his mission of magical supremacy.
If you've seen the movie as many times as I have, then reading the screenplay is an absolute delight. You are literally reading the movie! The screenplay also adds in details that you may have initially missed in the film and then upon rewatching, you catch them immediately. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them was such a great film and being able to relive it while you read it makes you feel like you can carry the movie with you anywhere.
I was a bit sad that it wasn't a book too, but glad it's still enjoyable. I love the movie!
ReplyDeleteReading a screenplay is definitely a different experience from reading an actual novel, but being able to pick up on unexpected background work made it so fun. The movie is so good! Everytime I watch it I love it!
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