Phoenix Picturehouse, Friday 16th November 2018

It’s been a long two years for my Potter-verse geek husband, and the teaser trailers and, eventually, final trailers for the second in the Fantastic Beasts films have only helped to ramp up the anticipation. So it was with nervous excitement that we headed to the lovely Phoenix Picturehouse in Jericho: would the film live up to expectations? And more importantly, would Jude Law make a complete hash of playing young Dumbledore? We had nothing to worry about in the end – the sequel to the prequel proved to be as fantastic as the beasts Newt Scamander was so enamoured with.

There is certainly a darker hue to the tone of Grindelwald, in comparison to its predecessor. Set in the same era, the late 1920s, with a shift in the action from the beautifully evoked New York City in the previous film, to a well-conjured London and Paris. The film begins where Fantastic Beasts ended. Grindelwald (Johnny Depp, chewing up the scenery with gusto) is imprisoned after being captured by MACUSA (Magical Congress of the United States of America) but in an action-packed start to the film he manages to escape. Enter the delightful Newt Scamander (an even more delightful Eddie Redmayne) and young Albus Dumbledore (sparkly-eyed Jude Law) to try and put a stop to Grindelwald’s plans to invoke the rise of pure-blood wizards and cause the eventual defeat of non-magical beings.

With the return of the trio of lovelies Tina (Katherine Waterston), Jacob (Dan Fogler) and Queenie (Alison Sudol) I was reminded of the joy of returning to Hogwarts for each new Harry Potter instalment – it's like re-visiting old friends after too long. Indeed, the brief sighting of Hogwarts itself was enough to awaken the child in me, with a little shiver of nostalgia as Hedwig’s Theme tinkled briefly in the background.

Reportedly this is the second film of five, so the story is more of a bridge than one that stands alone. Rowling has a ready-made audience for this spin-off franchise and while some critics have been less than favourable about Grindelwald I think she, and David Yates (Director) have moved the tale along in an entertaining, sometimes rather dark and grown-up, way. But the Potter fans are also grown-up, so it just goes to show that she knows whom she is writing for.

The cinematography is spectacular, and I was wowed by the scenes in Newt’s ‘briefcase’ once again. Redmayne’s subtle performance is counteracted by Depp and Fogler, who are big and loud in very different ways. But it’s Ezra Miller, as with every film I see him in, who stole the show for me. His performance as Credence is both fragile and terrifying and I cannot wait to see where the character goes next.

It’s safe to say, my husband and I both loved the film.His main worry on entering the screening was Jude Law taking on the behemoth role of Dumbledore. But he had no cause for concern. Law’s charisma and twinkly charm oozed from Dumbledore; his quiet confidence almost bordering on arrogance, but never quite tipping into the realms of unlikeable. And boy can he wear a suit well.