Want a semi-cheap and convenient way of getting a magical wizarding experience without traveling to Orlando, Florida or binge watching all eight of the three-hour long Harry Potter movies? Watching Fantastic Beast and Where to Find Them is a great way to get the magical experience of Harry Potter without the investment of time or money. The movie was released on November 18, 2016. It was written by the astounding author-screenplay writer, J.K. Rowling and directed by David Yates.

In J. K. Rowling’s first Harry Potter movie, Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone, released in 2001, there was a book written by a fictional author named Newt Scamander. It was called Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. This book was about the magical creatures in the Harry Potter universe. In the movie, Harry and his friends are shown using the book to compare their own encounters with different mystical creatures. This fictional book is the base for J.K Rowling’s current blockbuster.

The movie Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them takes place in 1926. Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) has just completed a global exploration to find and document an extraordinary array of magical creatures. He wishes to document different mythical creatures and show wizards that these creatures are harmless and should be protected rather than hunted. Scamander arrives in New York City on a mysterious mission. He is intercepted at the bank by a No-Maj, or a non wizard, named Jacob Kowalski (Dan Fogler). Kowalski is attempting to get a loan with the hopes of opening a bakery with his family recipes. Kowalski was the first No-Maj to witness Scamander’s magic. Scamander and Kowalski accidently switch briefcases, putting hundreds of magical creatures in the hands of a No-Maj. This, of course, is against wizarding rules, and Scamander is brought into custody by the one and only Propentina Goldstine, Tina for short (Katherine Waterston). Goldstine was originally an Auror: a member of an elite unit of highly-trained, magical officers. They are trained to investigate crimes related to the dark arts. She had found herself in some trouble with her superiors and was demoted to the position of Federal Wand Permit Officer. This job was well below her abilities and personal ambitions.

When she brought in Scamander in to the aurors, the aurors were less than thrilled to see her. There is something terrorizing NY, and they are frantically working to find out what it is and to stop it before it brings too much trouble for both the magical and non-magical worlds. Convinced that Scamander was the source of these unfortunate magical events, Goldstine is determined to make him pay for what he has done and earn back the respect of the Auror’s. Determined to protect his creatures, Scamander escapes the clutches of the authorities and gains the help of Kowalski in finding his creatures. The two become close friends and start their mission to protect and share the knowledge about the mystical creatures. While they’re finding these “beasts,” there is still a creature on the loose terrorizing the city. It’s a fight to the finish. Will the Aurors find this creature and destroy it or will they see the truth to the creatures by being open minded and gaining knowledge from Scamander?

In the epic battles there is an intensifying soundtrack along with bright glows representing magic. The sound and effects help capture the magical side of the movie along with bringing some magical humor to the story. The soundtrack was beautifully composed to enhance the emotions that each of the characters are feeling. The scenes that “jump out” at you are paired with loud sounds keeping the audience on edge and anticipation what is yet to come.

This movie was one of my favorite movies written by J.K. Rowling, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who loves the tales of Harry Potter.  She is an amazing screenplay writer, and an outstanding author. This movie made me overanxious, trying to comprehend everything the was going on, and figuring out the end plot was extremely stressful. There was love, magic, and mystery. It satisfied my thirst for fictional magic while reminding me that sometimes not everything is as it seems. Sometimes things will turn out differently when you least expect it.