The adventures of writer Newt Scamander in New York's secret community of witches and wizards seventy years before Harry Potter reads his book in school.

There is plenty to like here. Eddie Redmayne is great (as always), and Dan Fogler is quite a treat. The time the film is set in is interesting. And some things (like the Niffler) are cute and somewhat amusing.

The film does rely far too much on CGI creatures, which I suppose is understandable given the source material. Another reviewer said the first half of the film is like "going to the zoo", which is fairly accurate. Also, I thought the two child actors were pretty awful. Credence, who is a central part of the story, is just awful... really ruined the whole film. The albino girl was no better.