Renee Tone

The film relies far too much on a series of explosive special effects and pyrotechnics and sacrifices coherent narrative values. It feels cluttered and frantic and is confusing. Much of it didn’t make sense. For instance, why would so much magic be done in broad daylight and very much in public? I didn’t notice a single wizard or witch bothering to Obliviate the many Muggles who were standing there, gawking. Granted, it was fun watching a much younger and rather dapper Dumbledore teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts, though his tweedy, three-piece suit was a bit jarring, given what is well established in canon as the way Hogwarts professors dress. Also, the mesmerizing power of Grindelwald at the rally was chillingly reminiscent of Hitler’s rise in 1930s Germany. It was no accident that he’s shown at a mountaintop stronghold in Austria at the close of the movie. But overall, the movie is a mess. JK Rowling needs a crash course in Screenplay Writing 101. P. S. I did love the nifflers. They were the best part.