Thursday, August 30, 2018

FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM

When this book first came out, I bought it and was entertained but didn't really pay much attention to it. Now we have one movie, an audio recording of the book (excellent), and the second movie coming up in November.

I loved this new look into the Wizarding World, pre-Harry. I also found it fascinating that it's set in the United States with a different view of the wizarding world, tied to the Salem witch hunts and all the hysteria that surrounded that time.

Since this was a movie without a book as a reference, it was easier to watch, take in the story and the characters without constantly comparing it to books I had read and re-read. Having more background and insight into Newt Scamander, coincidentally a Hufflepuff), makes Harry's text book even more interesting. And seeing some of the animals come to life that we had read about at Hogwarts was fun. But it is even better that we see characters/beasts that we hadn't seen and hadn't even known existed. The darker story of Credence and what happens when people like him suppress who they are has the obvious implications for the wizarding world, but also relates to those who are marginalized or suffer discrimination in any aspect of life. Leave it to J.K. Rowling to give us reasons to examine how we treat others, not just in a fictional setting but in real life.

With the movie coming out in November, we are to get a more complete picture of evil in the world, as well as the relationship between Newt Scamander and Albus Dumbledore. Can't wait. (And I love the casting for both movies.)

Pat

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