Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016), directed by David Yates

The Harry Potter franchise is a fantastic beast indeed and JK Rowling is making the absolute most of it. The title was a textbook at Hogwarts School of magic, authored by Newt Scamander. The movie takes us to New York in 1926, which Scamander visits prior to publishing his book, based on his fieldwork. The evocation of the era is lovely; the special effects are great and must be truly spectacular in 3D; and Scamander’s world of fantastic beasts is truly magical. The film is too long and would have benefited from a harder edit and a few more laughs. It does develop some timely themes about the perils of bullying and victimising the ‘other’, highlighting the dangers of driving difference underground where it can become twisted and destructive. Eddie Redmayne inhabits the socially awkward Scamander, but sometimes swallows his words; Colin Farrell makes a suitably dark villain and Katherine Waterston is sweet as the black sheep American auror who changes from enemy to ally. An unexpected cameo from Johnny Depp is spot on and the best work he has done in some time, given its brevity.