Latest ‘Fantastic Beasts’ film dives deep into Dumbledore’s past

Mads Mikkelsen is great at playing the bad guy. After much-acclaimed performances in incredibly successful films like “Rogue One: The Star Wars Story” and “Another Round”, the Dane now plays Grindelwald, the dark wizard in the “Fantastic Beasts” world.

In the series’ latest sequel, “The Secrets of Dumbledore”, Grindelwald has set himself no lesser task than wiping out the muggles – as people without magical abilities are called in the Fantastic Beast universe.

Not everyone was happy about the prospect that Mikkelsen would replace Johnny Depp who had starred as Grindelwald in the first two spin-off films, which also serve as prequels to the Harry Potter saga.

However, the famous Hollywood star was asked to step back due to domestic violence allegations.

Artistically speaking, stepping into Depp’s shoes is no simple task, but Mikkelsen seems to be doing it with ease.

His portrayal of Grindelwald in “The Secrets of Dumbledore” is characterized by a cool malice that will have viewers paralyzed in their chairs.

The third “Fantastic Beasts” film, out in Britain and the US in April, generally manages to emotionally engage the viewer more than its predecessor, “The Crimes of Grindelwald”. While many fans found the second film’s plot too complex, this time Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling, together with Steve Kloves, managed to write a more coherent screen play.

“The Secrets of Dumbledore” is directed by usual suspect David Yates, who already directed four Harry Potter films and the first two Fantastic Beasts films.

In one of the first scenes, a young Albus Dumbledore, played by Jude Law, meets his then-friend Grindelwald, who doesn’t conceal his hatred for muggles. They are smelly creatures and he will destroy their world, Grindelwald tells his friend.

Dumbledore, who later becomes Harry Potter’s most important mentor, is prevented from fighting with Grindelwald himself as the film proceeds, due to a blood pact they agreed on in the early years of their friendship.

While we already know from the Harry Potter series that the friendship with Grindelwald took a dark turn at some point in Dumbledore’s life, the latest Fantastic Beasts film takes a closer look at this complex relationship between two of the greatest wizards of all time.

And more of Dumbledore’s secrets will be revealed, as he recruits a group of outsiders to thwart Grindelwald’s plan for world domination. Once again, oddball magizoologist with a suitcase full of magical animals Newt Scamander, played again by Oscar winner Eddie Redmayne, takes a leading role.

At his side is his friend from the first two films, muggle baker Jacob (Dan Fogler). Initially reluctant to join them, he is won over by the witch “Lally” Hicks, whose dry sense of humour adds a bit of levity to the film.

Of course, other magical creatures from the first parts are also back, like the popular mole-like Niffler and Pickett, who resembles a green stick insect.

In the end, many of Dumbledore’s secrets are revealed, and there is still time for feelings, friendships and even a wedding that no one expects.