T HE G REEN W AVE G AZETTE
P AGE 12
Astonishing Creativity in “Fantastic Beasts”
A refreshing and remarkable experience
Caitlin Walton ‘18
Staff Writer
“A remarkable
experience for
people who didn’t
formerly know
anything about the
wizard world”
Caitlin Walton ‘18
Warner Brothers new film,
“Fantastic Beasts and Where
to Find Them,” is the latest
movie installment in the
Harry Potter franchise. It
was wildly anticipated by
fans across the globe. This
spin-off of the Harry Potter
movies started out as a novella, also
written by J.K. Rowling, and is
expected to be the first movie of a
trilogy. The plot revolves around
the backstory of a famous wizard,
Newton “Newt” Scamander, who is
best known for his books on magical
creatures.
Directed by David Yates, this fantasy/action film takes place in 1926,
in the midst of panic from a dark
wizard named Grindelwald. It follows the story of Scamander (Eddie
Redmayne), a British wizard visiting
New York with a case full of magical
creatures. These creatures manage
to escape, wreaking havoc in the
muggle (non-magical person) world.
While tr ying to save his fantastic
beasts, Scamander meets the other
protagonists of the film, Porpentina
“Tina” Goldstein (Katherine Waterston), and Jacob Kowalski (Dan
Fogler). Together, with the help of
the Goldstein’s sister Queenie (Fine
Frenzy), the gang uncover incredible
surprises that have the audience on
the edge of their seats. By combining
the detailed plot with the sense of
humor of the characters, the film
gives the audience a magical feeling
from the minute it starts to the
minute it ends.
“Fantastic Beasts” budget was $180
million, and every cent was put to
good use. The animation of the
beasts is well-designed and realistic,
along with the spells cast from the
wands. The historically accurate
costumes are spot on, and so is the
set with the background of New
York. Even the film score, composed by James Newton Howard,
adds a huge amount of emotion with
just a single measure.
acters are extremely lovable
and relatable. Scamander is
portrayed perfectly by Redmayne as a dorky, scruffy
outcast who believes that the
real beasts of the world are
humans. He interacts with
other people in an awkward,
hilarious manner, and treats
his creatures with so much
love and care. Kuwolski is a
funny sidekick of Scamander,
being a muggle himself, and it is
amazing to get to watch him react to
the wizard world when all he wanted was to open up a bakery. The
film also provides a strong female
lead (Waterston as Goldstein) who
cares for other people like Scamander cares for his creatures.
“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find
Them” is a movie worth seeing. It is
a refreshing experience for all Harry
Potter fans, and a remarkable experience for people who didn’t formerly know anything about the
wizard world. The movie is perfectly cast, and the plot is clear and easy
to follow. The special effects are also
stunning, especially towards the
climax of the film. The sheer sense
of amazement the film gives off is
reason enough to go and see it more
than once.
On top of everything else, the char-
Book Review: "North of Beautiful"
Top Rated Teen Fiction
“North of Beautiful” cover art Little Brown Books.
Olivia Sweeney ‘20
Staff Writer
Justina Chen's 2009 novel,
"North of Beautiful," (Little
Brown Books) is one of her best
works. It is relatable to all girls,
especially those dealing with the
stress of society and school. Although it is fiction, the story communicates the realistic thoughts
and feelings of a teen girl.
This exquisite novel narrates the
life of Terra Cooper, a girl with
the most perfect body, but a
"flawed" face. Told in her point of
view, Terra takes us on a journey,
full of twists and turns as she narrates the events that occur within a
year of her life.
The story communicates the realistic thoughts and feelings of a teen
girl.
"North of Beautiful" conveys the
universal theme that everyone
should be who they really are, and
never change their personality to
be someone others want them to
be. Chen emphasizes never hiding
your true self, and never settling
for something less than you want.
It is a wonderful book filled with
power and self-realization, and it is
extremely motivating for many
teenage girls who read it.
Both NPR and Goodreads include
"North of Beautiful" in their picks
for best young adult fiction.