The return of Dumbledore to the magic world was shrouded in secrecy and mystique. After his apparent demise in the Battle of Hogwarts, many believed that the great wizard was gone forever. However, whispers in the wizarding community hinted at his possible return. Rumors began circulating after a few magical artifacts associated with Dumbledore started appearing in various locations. These artifacts included his signature wand, the Elder Wand, and his famous Deluminator. The appearance of these objects fueled speculation that Dumbledore's return was imminent.
The glimpses of “new” story that were seen in the original “Fantastic Beasts” like characters Tina and Queenie Goldstein and Jacob Kowalski are reduced now to pawns in a battle between Dumbledore and Grindelwald and are mostly denied character development of their own. On the flip side, nostalgia-infused plot points surrounding Hogwarts and Dumbledore seem rushed and to only care about tying new developments into the “Harry Potter” story. While it's clear that fans want new stories in the Wizarding World, “Fantastic Beasts” has seemed unable to keep a finger on the pulse of this demand.
When she broke his heart by choosing to follow Grindelwald, his whole world fell apart; he no longer takes joy even in his beloved bakery in New York City. The music is by nine-time Oscar nominee James Newton Howard News of the World, Fantastic Beasts The Crimes of Grindelwald, Defiance, Michael Clayton, The Hunger Games films.
The appearance of these objects fueled speculation that Dumbledore's return was imminent. As time went on, more evidence surfaced, suggesting a carefully orchestrated plan for Dumbledore's resurrection. It became clear that his return was not a mere coincidence but a masterful scheme to protect the magical world from an unknown threat.
Review: ‘Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore’ Fails To Recapture The Magic
Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, th e third installment in the Fantastic Beasts film series, has been bogged down by controversy and the failures of its predecessor. It’s been nearly five years since the last installment, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald — which, besides being the lowest-grossing Wizarding World film to date, was panned by critics for its complicated and confusing plot. In the years since its release, the cast and creative team have faced a myriad of scandals, including J.K. Rowling’s hateful remarks concerning the transgender community. The biggest controversy, Johnny Depp’s legal battles with ex-wife Amber Heard, forced the actor to bow out of the film completely. Most recently, star Ezra Miller was arrested for disorderly conduct and harassment at a bar in Hawaii.
Despite these setbacks, the film has finally reached audiences. Director David Yates, who was behind the last four Harry Potter movies, as well as the two preceding Fantastic Beasts films, returns with a screenplay written by Rowling and Harry Potter screenwriter Steve Kloves. Picking up where the last film left off, accomplished wizard Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law) has assembled a team to defeat dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald (now portrayed by Mads Mikkelsen). This team consists of magizoologist Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne), No-maj Jacob Kowalski (Dan Fogler), Newt’s brother Theseus (Callum Turner), American Charms professor Eulalie Hicks (Jessica Williams), French wizard Yusuf Kama (William Nadylam) and Newt’s faithful assistant Bunty (Victoria Yeates). Alison Sudol and Ezra Miller also return as Queenie Goldstein and Credence Barebone/Aurelius Dumbledore, respectively.
Like the Wizarding World films before it, The Secrets of Dumbledore is first and foremost an epic spectacle teeming with movie magic. Despite the “Fantastic Beasts” portion of the title getting smaller with each installment, the beasts themselves continue to be the stars of this CGI spectacle. Familiar fan favorites return such as the twig-like bowtruckle and the platypus-like, gold loving Niffler. There is also the addition of new fantastical creatures to the Wizarding World such as the Qilin, a creature borrowed from Chinese mythology, who is of utmost importance to the overall plot.
The fan-favorite characters imbue the story with heart, almost making up for the mediocre and perplexing plot. The classic forbidden love story between non-magical Jacob and accomplished witch Queenie has additional stakes after Queenie’s turn to the dark side at the end of the last movie. Introverted Newt is thrust into leadership after being trusted by Dumbledore. And Dumbledore himself has to face his traumatic past in order to defeat the man he used to love.
Even though the characters in this film are well-developed and well-acted, with Mads Mikkelsen delivering a superior Grindelwald performance than that of his precursor Johnny Depp, not even that could save this film from its outlandish storyline. Like many modern fantasy movies, Secrets of Dumbledore attempts to integrate current political issues into its fictional world. But it’s hard to take the lessons of corrupt politicians and rigged elections seriously when the position the candidates are vying for is “Supreme Mugwump.” Also, in a desperate attempt to transport its audience back to the magical world, many of the key elements, such as the aforementioned election, are not adequately explained.
All in all, Secrets of Dumbledore falls victim to the main pitfall of prequels. Viewers know how the story ends, so why does it matter how they got there? When the Fantastic Beasts movies were about expanding the Wizarding World to include North America, maybe they made sense. But, much like the talent involved, they have over time devolved into a complicated political mess that leaves a viewer confused and disappointed. With the future of these movies up in the air after poor audience and critical reception, as well as declining box office expectations, maybe it’s for the best that this planned five film series ends with three. The film ends with a sense of finality, potentially putting the final nail in the coffin of Newt and friends’ future on the big screen.
2.5/5 STARS
Various theories circulated among wizarding enthusiasts, attempting to decipher the secrets behind Dumbledore's return. Some believed that he had discovered the elusive Philosopher's Stone, which grants immortality, while others suspected an ancient magical ritual was responsible. Regardless of the true method, it became evident that Dumbledore's return was not without sacrifice. His resurrection seemed to come at a great cost, as he appeared different—wan and weary, his eyes showed the weight of immense knowledge and experience. Soon, whispers of Dumbledore's involvement in secret magical societies and covert operations began to circulate. The magical world was abuzz with speculations about his role in defeating the dark forces that threatened the peace and stability of the wizarding society. Some speculated that Dumbledore had been working underground, amassing knowledge and power to fight a new evil that had emerged. Others believed that his return signaled the beginning of a new era, a resurgence of his teachings and ideologies to guide the next generation of wizards and witches. Ultimately, the secrets of Dumbledore's return remained just that—secrets. Despite the speculation and rumors, the true nature of his resurrection was never fully revealed. Dumbledore continued to operate in the shadows, his motives and plans known only to a select few. The return of Dumbledore to the magical world was a testament to his brilliance, cunning, and unwavering dedication to protecting those he cared for. His resurrection stirred hope and excitement among both young and old wizards, as they eagerly awaited his guidance in the face of new challenges. As the secrets of Dumbledore's return remain veiled in mystery, one thing is certain—he has returned, and the wizarding world can once again find solace in his wisdom and strength..
Reviews for "Discovering the truth behind Dumbledore's actions in 'Return to the Magic"
1. Jane - 2 stars - I was really looking forward to reading "Secrets of Dumbledore: Return to the Magic," but I was extremely disappointed. The plot was weak and predictable, with no real surprises or twists. The characters felt flat and lacked depth, making it hard to connect with them. Additionally, the writing style was dull and lacked the magic and charm of the previous books in the series. Overall, it felt like the author was simply trying to cash in on the popularity of the franchise without putting much effort into creating a compelling story.
2. Fred - 1 star - As a longtime fan of the Harry Potter series, I was excited to delve back into the magical world with "Secrets of Dumbledore: Return to the Magic." However, this book fell far short of my expectations. The plot was confusing and disjointed, leaving me feeling lost and disconnected from the story. The pacing was off, with moments of action and excitement quickly followed by long stretches of mundane and boring scenes. The new characters introduced lacked depth and failed to capture my interest. Overall, I found this book to be a major letdown and a disservice to the beloved series.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - "Secrets of Dumbledore: Return to the Magic" was a major disappointment for me. The storyline felt convoluted and poorly executed, making it hard to follow and enjoy. The dialogue between characters was dry and lacked the witty banter and charm that made the original books so memorable. Additionally, the ending felt rushed and unresolved, leaving many loose ends that left me frustrated. Overall, I was left feeling underwhelmed and unsatisfied with this addition to the Harry Potter series.