The Crimes of Grindelwald is best viewed as a — less a self-contained story and more a setup for the remaining three movies. It suffers from trying to do too much at once: dark political thriller, creature adventure, family drama, and mystery box all in one. However, for fans invested in Dumbledore’s backstory, the rise of dark ideologies, and deeper wizarding lore, it offers rich material — even if the execution is messy.
The Great Divide: Why The Crimes of Grindelwald Still Splinters the Wizarding World Since its 2018 release, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald crimes of grindelwald
Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore (2022) resolves some of the cliffhangers and delivers the long-awaited Dumbledore vs. Grindelwald duel. The Crimes of Grindelwald is best viewed as
Visually, the movie is a masterpiece of production design. The action moves from a rainy New York City to a beautifully realized 1920s Paris. The French Ministry of Magic, hidden beneath an Art Nouveau fountain, offers a stunning contrast to the British and American versions seen previously. From the terrifying escape of Grindelwald in a flying carriage to the ethereal blue flames of the climactic rally in the Lestrange Mausoleum, the cinematography pushes the boundaries of magical realism. The Great Divide: Why The Crimes of Grindelwald