J.K. Rowling’s book “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”, now turned movie, premiered early on Thursday, Nov. 18. Fans waited outside the theater to get a seat for the 1920’s-set film, following Newt Scamander on his mission to acquire endangered magical creatures and repopulate their species’. Eddie Redmayne, playing Scamander, opens the first scene by stepping off a boat, arriving in New York from England. Upon his arrival in America, it is clear he is up to something that the American Administration of Magic doesn’t approve of.

Similar music, cinematography styles and character idiosyncrasies hint the relation to the original Harry Potter series, exciting long-time fans. We see the first Wizarding World cultural difference when the American Magical Congressmen refers to a Muggle as a NoMag (non-magic) and Scamander’s face falls, confused at the term. New York is faced with what the city believes are witches, and rallies line the streets of destructed buildings sharing their theories and plans to burn the witches.

To main plot lines: the saving of magical creatures, and fighting the dark force that has overtaken NYC, are followed throughout the story, sometimes making for confusing transitions and unclear turns of events. Scamander cares tenderly for his animals, and the audience sees them the way Newt does: as charming, gentle creatures who are merely misunderstood. We immediately take Scamander’s side, and scoff at the Ministry of Magic for wanting to exterminate the noble beasts.

Mischief similar to the first Harry Potter movie ensues when Scamander and NoMag friend Jacob accidentally release their creatures into the city, and make an awful mess of it trying to wrangle them all back. This reminds the audience of when Harry, Ron and Hermione destroy the bathroom in search of the wild troll. We soon learn that Newt attended Hogwarts, and was expelled early on in his wizarding career.

Wicked magic continues as a dark magic called Obscurials wreak havoc on a town Senate meeting. After betrayal, taken lives and mass destruction, the Magic Congress’s true opponent is revealed: Mr. Grindelwald.

Overall, the quick, witty humor of the original Potter series is very much alive in Fantastic Beasts, but new magic and unexpected character development make for a fresh treat for all fans of the wizarding world. The end of the film resolves with mended friendships, and magical beasts freed. An entire city is destroyed, repaired, and the magic world exposed to the public of New York, then soon forgotten. Romantic undertones leave us hopeful for the future of the characters whose plot lines we grow attached to throughout the trials and intersections of the film.