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Gone were the engaging original characters, replaced by a bunch of empty vessels.
Well, tough luck.
The new movie has even more setup than the first!
The year is 1927.
Grindelwald apparently wants some kind of segregation between Muggles and Wizards, with himself as pure-bred potentate.
Meanwhile, Newts beloved Porpentina Goldstein (Katherine Waterston), is already hot on Credences tail.
Theres more mythology, and flashbacks to long-ago relationships and alliances, and introductions of more characters.
Amid all this exposition and setup, nobody really seems todoanything.
Theres also speculation about Credences true nature.
The boy, raised by adoptive parents, wants to know where he really comes from.
Shes getting at something about bloodlines, and families.
Porpentinas sister Queenie (Alison Sudol) is also along for the adventure.
Newts brother Theseus (Callum Turner) is a Department of Magical Enforcement official.
Theseus is engaged to Leta Lestrange (Zoe Kravitz), whose siblings we learn more about later.
I could say more, but I dont want to give too much away.
The earlier tales had to do a lot of establishing, too.
(Some of us quicker than others, admittedly.
Waterston, one of the best actors of her generation, remains just glum and stone-faced throughout.
So,The Crimes of Grindelwaldis a tiresome slog but it ends well.
Theres a vaguely Trumpian echo to it all.
(Lets just hear what he has to say, a character in the audience says.)
And for a few seconds, the bad guy manages to be surprisingly convincing.
This movies a bust, but Ill let myself remain hopeful.
