Navigate Left
  • Left Fielder Troy Kent taking a swing in the 5th inning. Taken by Aaron Draper.

    Sports

    Chico State baseball drops to 5th after a tough series against East Bay

  • This is a 100% satirical article. Graphic generated by Ariana Powell using Adobe Firefly on April 25.

    'The Big Dipper'

    Black Plague on-campus: RUN!!!

  • Molly Myers, managing editor of The Orion, sticks out her thumb on 9th street in Chico, California. Screenshot taken from The Orions video on hitchhiking.

    Features

    Hitchhiking in Chico: a woman’s perspective on trust and adventure

  • Student Isaac Potkin introducing his arrangement of Indiana Jones during the wind ensemble concert. Taken by Jessica Miller on April 27.

    Arts & Entertainment

    Chico State Wind Ensemble gives cinematic performance

  • Chico State pitcher Amelie Valdez celebrates with first baseman Destiny Sevilla. Taken by Aaron Draper

    Sports

    Wildcats softball closes out season, celebrate senior day

Navigate Right
Breaking News
Chico State's independent student newspaper

The Orion

Chico State's independent student newspaper

The Orion

Chico State's independent student newspaper

The Orion

“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” gives a fresh start to new franchise

Promotional+photo+for+Fantastic+Beasts+and+Where+to+Find+Them+courtesy+of+Warren+Bros.
Promotional photo for “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” courtesy of Warren Bros.

Don’t worry, “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” has enough spectacular acting and wonder in it to make the movie a joy to watch.

Eddie Redmayne stars as Newt Scamander, a magical creature’s conservationist who comes to New York City during the roaring 1920s. During his journey through the big apple, some of the magical creatures Scamander illegally smuggles into the country escape from his magical brief case.

This draws the unwanted attention of former auror Tina Goldstein (Katherine Waterston) and No-Maj factory worker Jacob Kowalski (Dan Folger). Scamander, along with a reluctant Goldstein and bewildered Kowalski, must team up and find all the magical creatures before the wizarding world risks exposure.

Redmayne does a fine job as the lead. Throughout the movie, Redmayne nails home to the audience that Scamander’s awkwardness comes from the fact the wizard would rather be with his creatures than with the magical community. This makes the scenes where Scamander interacts with magical creatures wonderful, yet leaves a lot to the supporting cast to make the audience care about this movie.

Luckily “Fanatic Beasts and Where to Find Them” has two great actors blanching the ethos and humor of the movie.

Katrine Waterston and Dan Folger are the heart and soul of the movie. Waterston gives an amazing performance of Goldstein’s empathy and at times exasperation towards Scamander’s quest. Waterston always shined in whatever scenes she happens to be in.

Dan Folger on the other hand, stole every scene he was in. His comedy and acting genius will shock people. Folger sells his character’s first time experiencing the wizarding world with subtle reactions and line deliveries so well that anyone would swear it was witchcraft.

The visual affects of “Fantastic Beast and Where to Find Them” are another selling point as to why someone should watch this movie besides the acting. Each magical creature was beautiful to look at, making you wish you could spend at least one day with Scamander to find all the fantastic beasts in the Potter world.

“Fantastic Beast and Where to Find Them” never reaches the magic of Harry Potter, but still acts as an exciting start to a new franchise with its stellar cast.

George Johnston can be reached at [email protected] or @gjohnston786 on Twitter.

View Comments (1)
More to Discover
About the Contributor
George Johnston
George Johnston, Breaking News Editor

Comments (1)

All The Orion Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • J

    jojo // Nov 30, 2016 at 11:09 am

    I really loved this movie surely its not like harry potter but its close

    Reply