Well, this is the standard modern special-effects extravaganza, with little else to recommend it. Oodles of characters appear, all without any sort of comprehensible introduction. Or if there is an introduction, it's obliterated by the distraction of the special effects. Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) has mastered the sidelong glance (as opposed to the direct look in the face of the other characters), like Caine (David Caruso) in CSI Miami. None of the characters are as engaging or memorable as those in the original Harry Potter series. JK Rowling has cranked own another lucrative yawner.