Two old allies meet in a beautiful restaurant hoping to come to terms with the state of the world. On one side of the table, Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law), advocates for open Muggle relations. Across from him sits Gellert Grindlewald (Mads Mikkelsen), protector of Wizard supremacy. Knowing that they cannot fight each other, but are determined not to let the other win, they try to persuade the other to their point of view. With the upcoming election of the Leader of the Wizarding World coming up, it will be an adventure to see how the battle turns out
Fantastic Beast: Secrets of Dumbledore finds us in a continued battle of extremes. We see Grindlewald continuing his quest for power. His charismatic persona and undeniable power make him a desirable candidate for the next world leader of the Wizarding world elections. His followers pave the way for his possible takeover. As expected, he will do everything and everything to get his way and no life is too important to give him the win. He has no opposition except the only thing he cannot eliminate, Albus Dumbledore.
Dumbledore knows how dangerous the world can be if Grindlewald becomes the Wizarding World’s leader. He knows he must do something to stop him by any means possible. He does the only thing he can do he gathers the most unlikely team of misfits and try to stop him. In addition, he continues to try and bring understanding to Credence/Aurelis Dumbledore(Ezra Miller).
We are introduced to his team. Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) is saving and caring for the creature that can decide the upcoming election of the Wizarding leader, a Qilin. His dutiful assistant, Bunty (Victoria Yeats) passing on Dumbledore’s words “No one can know everything”. They are joined by others recruited by Dumbledore, his brother Theseus (Callum Turner), a US Charms professor Lally (Jessica Williams), and returning muggle Jacob Kowalski (Dan Folger). Together they set out to save the world.
In watching this, I truly enjoyed seeing the characters they were like old friends. I enjoyed seeing the meticulous but playful side of Dumbledore as he puts into place his well thought plans as well as his “why not” whims. I admired the loyal but questioning Newt and his mesmerizing undulation to charm a giant scorpion. The dedication of Bunty, to stand by Newt and his creatures is endearing. Thesus’ experience in going against dark wizards and Lally’s background in Charms bring a rounded strength to the team. Jacob brings the “what do we got to lose” adventure to the team and finds a little magic of his own in the process.
Mads Mikkelsen’s Grindlewalt was perfection. He brought a new side of the character to the story that changed the perspective for me. Johnny Depp’s portrayal of the character was amazing but, the chemistry of Dumbledore and this Grindlewald was more fluid and believable. The scenes between them appeared effortless and genuine.
So many things relevant to today are seen in this installment of Fantastic Beasts. The blind faith that people put into persons that have a way of saying things or following for the sake of belonging. Remorse for believing in veiled promises and strength to see a bad situation that is overlooked or ignored and have the courage to do something about it. Credence put his faith in Grindlewald in “Crimes of Grindelwald”, but now we see his faith and belief wavering as to who he really is. We see doubts in him and how conflicted he is. Queenie now questioning her decision to follow Grindelwald after seeing the hidden side of the man she thought stood for what she wanted. Even Jacob, who put aside all his belief in magic to move on with his life picks up his wand and joins for the greater good.
If you were born in the ’80s, ’90s, or literally ANY decade after those, you know about Super Mario. A cultural phenomenon was brought to life on the big screen this last weekend. One that has not only stood the test of time but reinvented itself time and time again. This wasn’t even the first time it’s been made into a movie but, well, let’s be honest.. some of us choose not to acknowledge the LIVE action adaptation of the beloved game from 30 years ago.
It was pretty bad… But this was animation. ILLUMINATION animation at that. The Universal company that brought us Gru and his Minions, showed us the Secret Life of Pets, and gave us a reason to SING! Still, I had my reservations and even some concerns, especially when the casting was announced.
Eyebrows were raised. As big of stars as they were on paper, could they really deliver on voicing characters from a staple of our childhood? They did.
Chris Pratt and Charlie Day may not be Italian, and Jack Black may not be a King or Turtle creature from the Mushroom Kingdom, but they make the characters their own all while paying homage to the lore of a video game.
From the jump, the story reintroduces us to the brothers that just want to save Brooklyn one clogged sink at a time. We feel an instant connection and relate to these “underdogs of the plumbing world”. The movie is riddled with easter eggs, each of which tugs on the heartstrings of every generation of Mario fandom. And the soundtrack was beautifully put together to not only make us feel like we’re taking a walkthrough of the game but like an experience all its own with some familiar favorites thrown in.
Every word in the movie is pure eye candy for both those that are casual fans, and those analyzing every frame to see what they’ll catch next. Bowser’s ship, the Mushroom Kingdom, Kong’s arena, and the Rainbow Road.. They’re all meant to give us just enough of a “new” look at these amazing worlds, but stay true to how we remember them.
The movie itself moves along at the perfect pace. Although, if you don’t really know ANYTHING about the Super Mario Bros, you may have gotten a little lost and felt left behind in the green tunnel. But that’s ok! It’s an adventure of the imagination and a classic story of a boy that meets a girl and tries to save the world from a monster that wants to destroy it.
What’s funny is that you could easily say this is a story about two characters who couldn’t be more opposite if they tried, battling to win the heart of a princess. Who would’ve thought that the King of the Koopas was just trying to impress his crush?
And that song? Ohhh THAT song! It’s my new ringtone and deserves the Oscar for Best Original Song.
Back to the movie.
Universal and Illumination clearly understood the assignment. Is it missing some things or could things have been done differently or even better? Absolutely! We’re the worst critics of the things we hold nearest and dearest to our hearts. But if you’re up for going on a 90-minute adventure through amazing worlds, with awesome music, and characters that’ll make you smile and laugh, then this is the perfect movie to spring you into that warm summer feeling.
Plus there’s the whole part with karts and shells, and banana peels and oh my goodness how amazing was that?? It’s enough to make you want to stand up and cheer, then go home and destroy your friends and family on your favorite track haha.
The bottom line, it pays homage in all the right ways to the little guy with the mustache, while giving us something new and exciting. Take the kids and go see Super Mario Bros. You’ll be glad you did!
Justice League x RWBY: Superheroes & Hunters Opening Act Saturday, March 25 at 1:30 p.m. on North 200A. Talent confirmed so far to participate in the post-screening panel is Natalie Alyn Lind (Big Sky, The Goldbergs, Gotham) as Wonder Woman/Diana Prince and longtime RWBY cast member Lindsay Jones (Camp Camp) as Ruby, Kara Eberle ( RWBY: Ice Queendom) as Weiss, Arryn Zech (Detective Now Dead) as Blake and Barbara Dunkelman (Blood Fest) as Yang – along with Jeannie Tirado (Soul, Saints Row) as Green Lantern and Tru Valentino (The Rookie, The Cuphead Show!) as a cyborg. Also attending the panel will be producer/director Kerry Shawcross (series RWBY) and writer Meghan Fitzmartin (Supernatural, Justice Society: World War II).
Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment returns to WonderCon 2023 with the big screen debut from DC Animated Films: highlights this year include the world premieres of the highly anticipated Batman: The Doom That Came To Gotham and Justice League x RWBY: Superheroes & Hunters Part One the weekend of March 24-26 in Anaheim, California. Both screenings will be followed by panel discussions with actors and creators. Batman: The Doom That Came To Gotham premieres at The Arena on Friday, March 24 at 6 p.m. Tati Gabrielle (Kaleidoscope, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Uncharted) as Kai Li Cain, Christopher Gorham (The Lincoln Lawyer, Insatiable) as Oliver Queen, David Dastmalchian (Dune, Suicide Squad, Ant-Man) as Grendon, producer/co-director Sam Liu (The Death and the Return of Superman), co-director Christopher Berkeley (Young Justice) and screenwriter Jase Ricci (Teen Titans Go! and DC Super Hero Girls: Mayhem Across the Multiverse).
Both films will have encore screenings in the Arena on Sunday, March 26. Justice League x RWBY: Super Heroes & Huntsmen, Part One will screen at 12:15pm, followed by Batman: The Doom That Came To Gotham at 2:00pm
No Question Mark Box Here; Super Mario Delivers a 1-Up in Theaters
Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment returns to WonderCon 2023
Marvel Studios’ Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
Crunnchyroll presents ‘BOFURI: I don’t want to get hurt so I’ll max out my defense’: You’re not twinking!
‘Knock at the Cabin’: Puttin on your boogie shoes!
No Question Mark Box Here; Super Mario Delivers a 1-Up in Theaters
Marvel Studios’ Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Illinois’ financial crisis could bring the state to a halt
The final 6 ‘Game of Thrones’ episodes might feel like a full season
No Question Mark Box Here; Super Mario Delivers a 1-Up in Theaters
Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment returns to WonderCon 2023
