Jonn

What a wonderful return to the classic wonder, excitement & feel of Trek. Decades of wonderful quality entertainment and series, and then I feared we'd hit the end with the disaster that is Discovery. Quality Trek is back.

I am also a huge Harry Potter fan, we'll get that out of the way right now. However, I am also a FB fan and that would make me a JR Rowling fan. As such, I realize that this is NOT a movie series about 3 young kids growing up together at Hogwarts. I am sure it is also being written for matured fans of the Potterverse, and as such you will need to pay attention and understand that Rowling is trying to tell one story, while trying to give backstories at the same time. Some of this is info that is not necessarily related to this story, but consider it bonus material lol. As another reviewer aptly noted, this franchise does not have the same luxury as Potter having novels published in advance so people know what to expect. Novels can also provide a lot of the small extras and detail that could otherwise easily be left out of a film adaptation. However, this is straight to film. We're lucky that she is including some of these details along the way. The best way to approach the series is that it is more or less a mini series but not one you can watch in 5 consecutive weeks on TV and hit a slow episode along the way. This film is basically following the same formula of the first. Lots of character alliances and setups are being laid out in setting up for the inevitable big conclusion in 2024. This has to be done, and as the series progresses I am sure it will all start to come together as the groundwork is further laid out and there is less left to 'reveal'. The acting is spot on. I'm not a big Depp fan but he's ok. The visuals and score are out of this world. I had my heart broken 3 times in this movie and Niffler made my day, as always! Also there is a 'battle' at the end (someone said there wasnt) but also considering this is not Potter I would not expect that there has to be some sort of major battle in every FB movie going forward until the end of course. Go see the movie, expect stunning visuals and lots of important character and story set up (it moves quickly so drink coffee lol), and don't expect it to be FB1 because its part 2-the story is continuing to forward.