ReelBob: ‘Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald’ ★★

By Bob Bloom

“Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald” is a cluttered and messy production.

The characters are so numerous, their relationships so complicated and convoluted that they should have their names emblazoned on the backs of their wardrobe, so you can distinguish who is who.

And it does not help that the storyline seems to jump around without focusing on a single issue.

Basically, what the movie boils down to is one character’s search for his true identity.

For this, we have to sit through 134 minutes of confusing exchanges that offer hints of dark deeds and darker intentions.

Somehow, and perhaps, by magic, the movie does indeed entertain — though you really need to be familiar with the writings of J.K. Rowling and Harry Potter lore to fully appreciate this prequel.

The one thing that never is made clear — what exactly are the crimes of Gellert Grindelwald?

As portrayed by Johnny Depp, Grindelwald is a soft-spoken, seductive and powerful wizard who has a vision of leading his fellow wizards out of the shadows and dominating the outside world.

As he claims, he does not hate nonmagical people (no-mags, muggles) because, as he ominously says, they do serve a purpose — and would continue to do so after wizards take over and make the world a better place.

Opposing Grindelwald is Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) who, working on behalf of his former teacher, Albus Dumbledore (a dapper Jude Law), is trying to rescue Credence Barebone (Ezra Miller) before he falls under the shadowy influence of Grindelwald.

Traveling from New York to London, then Paris, to help Newt is Tina Goldstein (Katherine Waterston) and no-mag Jacob Kowalski (Dan Fogler).

Others in the mix include Queenie (Alison Sudol), Jacob’s magical fiancé, and Leta Lestrange (Zoe Kravitz), who, at one time had romantic feelings for Newt, but is now engaged to his brother, Theseus (Callum Turner), who as a member of Britain’s Ministry of Magic, also lends a hand.

You will, of course, see Newt’s bevy of magical creatures, which he keeps in a suitcase that appears to be as roomy as the state of Texas.

Despite everything that is going on in “The Crimes of Grindelwald,” the movie feels as if it’s simply a prologue — a sneak peek at things to come.

That may be true, since three more movies are planned for this series.

Thus, the movie offers more questions than answers. It’s a frustrating cinematic carrot dangled from a stick meant to entice us back into theaters for the proposed sequels.

“Crimes of Grindelwald,” set in 1927, shows a schism in the wizarding world, as sides are drawn and loyalties are tested.

Newt, asked for help by his brother, simply says, “I don’t do sides.”

Newt treats all his beasts, no matter how dangerous or ferocious, with love and kindness.

“You’ve never met a monster that you can’t love,” Newt is told, referring not so much to his creatures but to Grindelwald and his followers.

The film, directed by “Harry Potter’-franchise veteran David Yates, like its plot, is murky — lots of grays that portend a world on the brink. But, of what, is not clearly defined.

Redmayne’s performance as Newt holds the movie. He remains uncomfortable and awkward around people, preferring to interact with his fantastic charges.

Depp seems to be sleepwalking, as he has done in a few recent movies. His slow and silky portrayal is constant throughout, making it a head-scratcher how he can be so charismatic and seductive to so many.

The best that can be said about “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald” is that it’s serviceable, which, in the Potterverse, is faint praise.

I am a founding member of the Indiana Film Journalists Association. My reviews appear at ReelBob (reelbob.com) and Rottentomatoes (www.rottentomatoes.com). I also review Blu-rays and DVDs. I can be reached by email at bobbloomjc@gmail.com or on Twitter @ReelBobBloom. Links to my reviews can be found on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and LinkedIn.

FANTASTIC BEASTS: THE CRIMES OF GRINDELWALD
2 stars out of 4
(PG-13), fantasy action and violence