If Hannibal was a wizard - Secrets of Dumbledore

Hey Angels and Biscuits! Today’s Tea?

Fantastic Beasts: If Hannibal Lecter was a wizard – Secrets of Dumbledore Review

Hey Angels and Biscuits! Today’s Tea? A review for Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore. Or as I so lovingly am now calling it - Fantastic Beasts: If Hannibal Lecter was a wizard.

The first thing I’ll say, I wasn't planning on seeing this film when they first announced they had removed Johnny Depp. However, they cast Mads Mikkelsen as the new Grindelwald and I honestly love Mads as an actor so much he was probably the ONLY person I’d not completely drop the franchise for. I’m still extremely upset at how Johnny was/is treated even after a fair trial. With that out of the way let’s get into the review.

Mads honestly did amazing. BUT it felt a lot like watching Hannibal Lecter but in the 1920’s. For those who don’t know Mads played Hannibal Lecter in NBC’s series of Hannibal. He was excellent in the role. His portrayal of Grindelwald felt a lot like his portrayal of Hannibal. But to be fair they are similar characters. Complex psychopaths, in love with a man who may be swayed to their side (Hannibal had a bit more luck in that department), even the clothes Grindelwald wore was very similar to Hannibal. It probably helped the experience for me, personally, because of how much I loved Mads as Hannibal and just the show in general.

As per usual, I’ll start with the didn’t work for me parts of the movie.

First thing, Dumbledore’s planning process. I’d have liked a little more insight into Dumbledore’s thought process or planning process. I’ve maintained the opinion over the years that he’s not this loving, kind, gentle old man that many people seem to think he is from the Harry Potter series. He’s just as calculating as Grindelwald, he just has a bit more humanity. But he still isn’t afraid to use people, to hurt people, all to further what he considers the greater good. He’s powerful and smart enough to keep up with Grindelwald but we don't really get to see the how, the process.

The other rather large problem I had was the lack of connections to Crimes of Grindelwald. This movie almost felt like a stand-alone, there weren’t many callbacks to the previous film and a lot happened in the previous film. As a stand-alone part of the wizarding world film it was pretty good. But if you’re connecting to the other films it gets tenuous. I don't know if the huge disconnect was because of the thing with Johnny Depp or if they just had some strange writer’s block and went writers.exe have stopped responding, but it was rather apparent that it lacked connection to Crimes of Grindelwald.

Bouncing off Dumbledore’s manipulative chess playing skills, I was surprised the qilin bowed to him. But after watching The Super Carlin Brothers video on that, I've come around. Check them out if you haven’t yet. But essentially, it’s not that Dumbledore is pure of heart but he is not actively seeking power so he is worthy to have it. And I can get behind that. Dumbledore has given up on seeking power because of what happened between him and Grindelwald but that doesn’t mean he isn’t worthy of it. The Super Carlin Brothers explain it very well. If you’re interested in the why of the qilin go check out their video. 

The other minor complaint I had was they offered no explanation for the change in Grindelwald’s appearance. It could be implied he was changing appearances yet again or his Crimes of Grindelwald appearance was another false face but I think with the recasting it should have been addressed somewhat in the film given you have a character that has been known to take different faces. But like I said there is room for implied identity change with Grindelwald but this is one instance a film has an out to actually incorporate a casting change into the story and I wish they had.

Last complaint is I just wish Dumbledore and Jacob had more scenes together. I think the actors have great on screen chemistry and really make for great, heartfelt, and comedic scenes.

Onto the rest of my thoughts. 

Right off the bat though, we had Grindelwald and Dumbledore in an opening scene together in a little coffee shop. The chemistry between Jude Law and Mads Mikkelsen was great. If the entire movie was just them on a date going to various little shops and parks I’d have had zero complaints. During that scene I’ll admit I had my first Hannibal flashback. So aside from the clothes throughout the whole movie, this cute opening scene had Grindelwald comparing muggles to animals. This is something Hannibal would often do with people, it was how he often justified or explained away being able to be a cannibal. Also, his accent really brings something to Grindelwalds character. 

So, cute opening scene. Then we had Newt making a pretty great entrance. In the middle of a jungle, brings us back to the fantastic beast’s vibes of fantastic beasts. The little deer thing, qilin, was cute, despite the sad bambi moment. Pickett has goggles which was adorable information to learn. Also, also, side note, how did Dumbledore not know Newt was being followed? Or did he suspect two qilins? Does Dumbledore have a secret seer that’s not Grindlewald to combat Grindelwald? When did he meet Trelwany? 

Jacob is once again a national treasure. He brings the much-needed humor to this series. He kept the frying pan with him, good weapon choice! And the niffler! Who knew he had a name!? But Teddy though?! Not the most original, Newton. Not only did we get Teddy but the baby nifflers too! I love the nifflers so much, probably my favorite creature.

The big train scene was neat, though hardly any of Dumbledore’s plans seem to make a ton of sense. I get trying to confuse Grindlewald with many plans or no plan I guess but really wouldn’t he still see that? Professor Hicks I thought was a fun addition to this movie. Theseus was less annoying and his scenes with Newt were great, the actors have great chemistry. I also initially thought that Bunty would turn out to be Tina using a Polyjuice potion at the end but alas, they did not go for the really cool plot twist.

The Theseus jailbreak scene was also pretty funny. I'm unsure the point of it other than comedy but it was comedy gold. Not just with Newt and Theseus and the proper way to hip swivel but also Teddy and Pickett were great. 

In the trailer we saw Jacob and the magic disaster with his wand and in the film found out that it was Hicks puppeteering him. On the train we learned that Jacob’s wand from Dumbledore has no core but he doesn’t just give pointless gifts. I think if we get the rest of the films in the franchise we will learn the significance of the wand but for now it really did look like it was just for show. Though I don't buy it. It’s also supposed to be snakewood which was Salazar Slytherin’s wand wood, fun fact. 

I was shocked to hear that Credence was Aberforth’s child. I had thought he wasn’t a Dumbledore at all and Grindelwald was just lying. So that’s a twist I didn’t see coming. It was great to see Jacob not completely helpless this movie. He decked a wizard with the fake suitcase, showing magic isn’t everything. We also got some Harry Potter music, music from the HP films, and it was a great nostalgia feeling. 

Another question I had as we approached the end of the film was, Did Grindelwald really love Dumbledore? Going into this I was leaning on no, not really. I was thinking he was incapable of love. But the Hannibal vibes got me thinking, then there was a moment of hesitation during their misty duel. The Hannibal vibes reminded me that while Hannibal was a complex psychopath he did love Will Graham, just not perhaps in the way most people will love. Will saw Hannibal for who he was, and essentially accepted him. It goes a bit deeper and more complicated than that but Grindelwald and Dumbledore have a similar dynamic. Albus understood Gellert when no one else did. Could. Connected with him in a way that was unique, that was not going to ever happen again. I left this movie thinking he did love Dumbledore in the way he was capable. It may not be the same way Dumbledore loved Grindelwald but it was love. 

And that opinion was solidified for me when Grindelwald hesitated to hurt Dumbledore in their misty duel. Not only did he hesitate but his expression softened. He didn't want to hurt him is what I took from that. And then later when he’s saying, “I was never your enemy”, he was looking to Dumbledore when he said it. I think he’d take Dumbledore back if he wanted to conquer the world with him, in a heartbeat. Much like Hannibal is willing to give Will many second chances. And also, like Hannibal, if you go against him he will fight back despite how he feels. Though he may hesitate.

There was also a fun line from Aberforth, where he says Always in response to a question from Credence. I think it was, did you think of me? And it was such a Snape callback and I loved it.

They end the movie with the wedding of Queenie and Jacob and it was a very sweet moment. Newt had to give a best man speech, I'm sad we didn’t get to hear it. Newt and Tina were ok, I know many people loved their small screen time together but I haven’t loved their scenes much since the first movie. I did wonder why Dumbledore wasn’t there for the wedding itself, especially after he and Jacob kind of bonded throughout the movie. I don’t know if they are trying to reinforce this idea that Dumbledore doesn’t see himself worthy of friendships like that, doesn’t think he should be included but I think it would have been more powerful to include him.

Overall, I actually really enjoyed it. 

7.5/10 Biscuits

Bonus:

Top Hannibal vibes moments:

To all my Hannibal fans who have seen season three, when Grindelwald falls off the ledge. Tell me that’s not peak Hannibal season three.

The comparing of muggles to animals is akin to Hannibal comparing humans to animals.

The wardrobe. They could share a wardrobe. 

I was honestly waiting for a “Tell me, Albus” or a “Tell me, Newt.” Since that was Hannibal’s favorite line to Will, “Tell me, Will.”