'Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald' — Trailer Review

Finally, after all this waiting, Warner Bros. have released their first trailer for The Crimes of Grindelwald.

We get a look at new characters, familiar locations, and some little giveaways to what is to come! So let’s see what took out attention.

The Return of Hogwarts

After a one film absense in the Harry Potter universe, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardly makes a dashing reappearance in the trailers opening, as a number of, what can be assumed, Ministry of Magic officials arrive to question a certain transfiguration professor...

We’d recognise that trick anywhere.

The trailer gives us a look at the famous device from the opening scene of The Philosopher’s Stone, which of course, is used by Albus Dumbledore, and passed down to Ron Weasley in The Deathly Hallows.

So it would appear Dumbledore will be wanting to be unseen. Maybe for a secret meeting with someone? Perhaps a friend/magizooligist who he is seen talking to in a darkly lit atmosphere near the end of the trailer.

He’s back!

So we finally get a proper look at Albus Dumbledore in his earlier days, being played this time round by Sherlock Holmes’ Jude Law. Though we’ve already seen images of Jude Law’s portrayal of the character, it’s nice to see him actually playing our favourite future headmaster.

In terms of first impressions, Law appears to have brought his A-game to give us an authentic version of a young Dumbledore. The voice, the look, the mannerism, I am looking forward to seeing the character grow for a further three films after the new installment.

Kneel before Grindelwald.

I’d recognise the back of that white hedgehog look anywhere! After all, it was engrained on our skulls from being in the opening scene of the first Fantastic Beasts.

Yes it appears that Grindelwald, yet again portrayed by Johnny Depp despite the public dismay, will be out of jail and wreaking havoc (the film isn’t called "The Incarceration of Grindelwald" after all...) and could this be the dark wizard addressing his collected followers? Or maybe invading a public gathering to fearlessly announce his plans for the Muggle world? Also, who is the woman stood next to him? Who is worthy to stand next to the darkest wizard of all time? (Until later years at least.)

A Dark Turn for Goldstein.

It appears Porpentina ‘Tina’ Goldstein, played again by the astonishing Katherine Waterston of Alien: Covenant, has had a bit of a makeover since the last film, going from conservative style, to all out secret agent.

The trailer gives us various shots of Tina lurking around, appearing on an investigation of some sort. Could an investigation into Grindelwald’s escape lead her right into Newt Scamander’s path?

Obliviate...NOT!

As expected, Jacob Kowalski, returning as played by Dan Fogler of Balls of Fury fame (right?), seems to be swapping pastries for magical critters once again to help his buddy Newt out.

My immediate thought was that his beau, Queenie Goldstein, had some kind of hand in getting Jacob’s memories back, but maybe Newt needed a No-Maj with real knowledge of the muggle world to help him navigate it in his mission to bring down Grindelwald.

How Very Obscur(us).

The reappearance of Credence, played once again by Justice League actor Ezra Miller, is a funny one. After seemingly blowing up in an explosion of light, Credence is seen at the top of a building, seemingly releasing his Obscurus, the embodiment of his supressed magic.

It was said after the release of Fantastic Beasts that a scene was filmed showing Credence stowing away on the same boat that Newt gets on.

From being able to release his Oscurus, maybe Credence has been learning how to get a handle on his magical gifts since we last seen him. But his survival? That is going to be an interesting reveal.

Also, in this clip with him is Claudia Kim who is said to be playing a character that is the headline performer at a wizarding circus/freakshow, due to having a blood curse that causes her to turn into a beast. Is it possible that Credence has quite literally ran away with the circus, symbolising how he sees himself as an outcast? November will have answers.

Leta Lestrange, Ladies and Gentlemen

This one was peaking the interest of pretty much everyone who watched the last film.

Leta Lestrange appeared in the form of a framed picture that Newt had in his magical world of a briefcase.

From a conversation with Queenie, we could determine that Leta and Newt had a lot of history, and that Newt was left sour after whatever she did when they last met. Queenie identified her as a "taker." A theory that has circulated is that Newt’s expulsion from Hogwarts is due to him taking the fall for Leta being up to something. Could the gorgeous ancestor of evil Potter villain, Bellatrix Lestrange, be manipulating Newt once again?

It is known she is engaged to Newt’s older brother, Theseus Scamander, who is being played by Callum Turner. Maybe this will be quite an emotional journey for Newt, especially seeings as surely Miss Lestrange will be angling to join Grindelwald by the end of the film.

Could you speak up?

Every big film has them nowadays. A mysterious far off meeting between characters to move the plot along. Our bets on who is included in this trio? My guess is Jacob and Newt meeting with Dumbledore before setting off to Paris to track down Grindelwald and find out what he is up to.

It’s a...well...fantastic beast.

Now, this film may focus on Johnny Depp’s Grindelwald causing chaos, but remember the main title is Fantastic Beasts. So surely, we’re going to get a few new critters lurking around. Example A being the underwater creature that Newt is seen riding.

Looks like Mr Scamander could be needing a quick escape, potentially by freeing this sea creature from his briefcase.

The wizarding world’s take on 'The Da Vinci Code?'

In what appears to be Grindelwald’s cell, we see a massive arrangement on the wall, being viewed by a mysterious figure (Theseus maybe?).

Could this be a clue to what Grindelwald is planning for when he is on the outside world?

Isn’t a freakshow just a show in the wizarding world?

Here we see what appears to be a form of circus, almost definately the one Claudia Kim is associated with.

If theories ring true, it is also where Credence is in hiding. If you have watched the trailer, you’ll see an audience member lurch forward in shock. Is he a wizard who recognises Credence?

Newt’s creatures are on the loose as usual.

One of the most fun things about Fantastic Beasts numero one is the busy-body Newt turns into when trying to round up his beasts; it would be a crying shame if that characteristic didn’t remain in the DNA of the franchise.

As you can see above, an old friend is still around, and will prove to be a pain in the ass for his owner.

Friend or Foe?

Credence may have been revealed to be a villain of the first film, but a sympathetic one at that. He was abused by an adoptive mother, cruelly manipulated by Grindelwald in disguise, then stupify’d to death by an army of American Aurors.

A tough break for any gentle soul. But as I mentioned earlier, he appears to be getting a handle on his magic, and from what is seen later in the trailer, he may be prepared to abuse his newly controlled power.

We see Credence lash out (magically?) on a very wizarding world-looking birdcage. Could this spell the young Barebone turning to the dark side? (Sorry, couldn’t resist a Star Wars reference.)

Mr. Grindelwald will see you now.

Looks like Grindelwald is a bit worse for wear here, the best explanation? Literally being a newly escaped convict.

In some of the final moments of the trailer, we see a flying horse and carriage making a quick getaway, followed quickly by what appears to be Dementors?

The above image seems to be set in the interior of a carriage. I’m going to take a stab in the dark at this taking place moments after Grindelwald is sprung from prison and his sudden appearance startling even the people helping him escape, seeings as they’re being pursued by soul-sucking prison guards as they escort Gellert to the closest Tony And Guy.

Brothers in Arms

This looks to take place in the grand finale of the film. As it has been reported, Newt and Theseus Scamander are somewhat estranged from each other, probably even more so now that Scamander the elder is bedding Newt’s school crush.

However, by the looks of things, the brothers will be prepared to put their differences aside by the third act of the film, seemingly fighting side by side to take down...who? Grindelwald? Credence? A young Professor Sprout? We shall see.

Overall, our first near two minute glimpse of the second Fantastic Beasts installment is getting us excited. We are yet to see a true wizarding war film, on this kind of scale at least, and if this trailer is anything to go by, its going go be bloody brilliant.

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald will disapparate onto cinema screens on 16th November 2018.