Eddie Redmayne is a boring actor.
In fact, I’d go so far as to say he’s skillful at being boring—which is impressive in its own way, yet, nonetheless, doesn’t make him any less dull to watch. I consider Redmayne a curse to whatever unfortunate film he appears in: dragging it down with his lackluster performance. Les Misérables, The Theory of Everything, The Danish Girl: all (objectively) boring films, and all featuring Eddie Redmayne. Now Redmayne has found his way to the Harry Potter franchise—playing the main protagonist (Newt Scamander) in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, the first in an apparent five-part spin-off series. Despite my love for the Harry Potter series, I’ve been wary about this spin-off ever since I learned Redmayne would be starring in it. Now this may be the part where you, the reader, expect a surprise reveal that I actually enjoyed Fantastic Beasts…but alas, the curse is still very much prevalent here—which is almost fitting for a series that features magical curses (though I’d have rather had such curse broken).
Fantastic Beasts is a lackluster film: a tepid fantasy adventure with little innovation, cardboard characters, and a severe lack of that magical spark (quite possibly the worst offence to commit in a Harry Potter work). The setting (or more so, its depiction) lacks magic, the characters lack magic, the plot lacks magic—heck, even the magic lacks magic. The titled “beasts” are unique and interesting (fantastic is a bit of a stretch), yet the film does not give enough focus/significance to them (preoccupied with its blandly-designed Obscurus), nor do the viewers actually see where to find them (the majority are found in Newt's suitcase). The antagonist is Fantastic Beasts’ most engaging/unique aspect (complete with an entertaining plot twist), yet he hardly makes up for the film’s bland protagonist and forgettable supporting cast. Much like its main actor, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is a lackluster, forgettable experience, and that’s never a good start for a five-part series.
