Review of Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (2018) by Connor S — 25 Nov 2018

Let me start with the stuff I liked: Newt continuing to be a great male role model (sensitive yet strong; intelligent but confidently awkward); Leta; a few emerging motifs (family!); occasionally breathtaking cinematography; Tina as an auror (but honestly, could be more competent?) ... And with that, let me segue into the stuff I DID NOT like:

Everyone? Crushes on Newt? Which is TOTALLY fair but also ... Romance is being too emphasised, I feel (also WHAT are those weird video game-esque close-ups between Leta & Newt?); Nagini being cast as a Korean lady! If you're going to retcon, retcon thoughtfully; Queenie and Tina are just ... Not Strong Female Characters - which is fine, because being human is not being strong 24/7. But Queenie can read minds! Tina is an auror but displays less skill than Newt!; Why is this a 5-movie series?!; Why is there queerbaiting?; More Theseus screentime please; HOW does this chronology work? McGonagall? Who the heck is Aurelius?

There are some fun moments in this film but I can't help but feel like I'm being an enabler by continuing to financially support the HP EU when they're turning out mediocre films.