Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them-Kids’ Movie Review

Did you ever wonder what Harry Potter had to read at Hogwarts? Well, Fantastic Beasts was required reading for Harry and the first year students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Based on J. K. Rowling’s original story, this film takes place in 1920’s New York City and follows the life of Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne). Newt is a magizoologist and author of a Hogwarts textbook that catalogs magical creatures. Arriving in New York for just a brief stay, Newt’s life dramatically changes as he ends up in the big city longer than planned. A series of mishaps begins when he misplaces his magical case with fantastic beasts inside. Mayhem ensues, even in a world with magic and wizardry.

Rating: 4 out of 5 popcorn buckets
Release Date: March 28, 2017
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 10+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Kids/ Teens Like It?  Yes

See the trailer here!

Talking Points:

• The film highlights the importance of accepting others for who they are.
• Many people have asked me if you need to see the Harry Potter films to understand Fantastic Beasts. The background knowledge of Harry Potter and the world of wizardry might be nice to see beforehand, but it’s not necessary.
• Harry Potter is set in a school with kids and this film is set in New York City where the main characters are adults.

Sexual Content:Mild

• Two female characters are shown wearing revealing outfits.

Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive

• The Obscurus (a dark, mysterious creature) destroys the streets, buildings and numerous vehicles.
• The Obscurus also grabs people, smashing them to the ground and killing them. We see characters’ faces covered with scars.
• A boy is whipped with a belt (offscreen). We see his hands torn up.
• A creature bites a character on his neck, leaving a bloody open wound.
• We see a dragon like creature threatening to eat someone.

Crude or Profane Language:Mild

• We hear “h—,” several times throughout the film.

Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild

• We see character’s drinking alcohol at a wizard’s club. One character orders shots of “gigglewater.”

Will Teens Like It?  Yes

• I interviewed several teenage boys who loved the film. They were all Harry Potter fans and have been excited to see this film.

Overall, this is a wonderful fantasy film, one that most Harry Potter fans will enjoy. Depending on the child this film is appropriate for kids ages 10 and up.

It's only fair to share...

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin