I actually think this film is superior to the first one. It doesn't waste much time introducing characters, and the few new characters (namely, Callum Turner as Theseus Scamander, Zoe Kravitz as Leta Lestrange, and, of course, Johnny Depp as Gellert Grindelwald) are introduced cleanly and neatly.

One of my biggest issues with the film is its many plot threads. It tries nobly, and partly succeeds, in taking numerous elements and incorporating them into a big plot twist. The problem is that the film struggles in how much time is relegated to these elements. It spends almost half an hour on the romance between Eddie Redmayne's Newt Scamander and Katherine Waterson's Tina Goldstein, a pretty much inconsequential aspect of the film. In fact, that serves as Newt's primary motivation for around half of the film.

Newt, I feel, is an exceptionally built protagonist that lacks a comparitively built motivation or reason. Jude Law's Albus Dumbledore is perfectly compelling, due mostly to his character in the books and Law's depiction. Grindlewald is one note, but hopefully they'll expand his character in future installments. And the primary driving point, Crendence Barebone, is expertly managed, if a bit underdeveloped, by Ezra Miller.

The visuals are spectacular and the story, though boring in some parts, picks up beautifully at the end.

7/10

70% (Mostly Fresh)

C+