Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016) is a movie my daughter and I recently watched on HBOMAX. The storyline follows Newt Scamander in 1920's New York years before the Harry Potter storyline. He tracks down magical beasts and captures them in a magical suitcase. He becomes a target when others are interested in gaining his creatures and the magic that comes with them...

This movie is directed by David Yates (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows) and stars Eddie Redmayne (Les Misérables), Dan Fogler (Good Luck Chuck), Katherine Waterston (Alien Covenant), Alison Sudol (Between Us), Ezra Miller (Justice League) and Colin Farrell (The Batman).

Every settings are fun and the special effects create an entertaining universe around the storyline. The bank scene was a great opening and how can you not love the bakery shop character? The dialogue is creative as are the creatures. You can never predict anyone or anything's next actions. Farrell delivers a great performances in this and I will say the final creature was fun but a bit too much at the same time.

Overall this is a huge step down from the Harry Potter films; but if you look at it as it's own series, it is entertaining and worth a watch. I would score this a 7/10 and recommend seeing it once.