Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald has rich tapestry of characters and mountainous groundwork laid out that covers a lot for future installments in the Potter/Fantastic Beast-verse. This however, has a downside. The bulk of information spins you round and round with many plot twists and hidden story arcs, making it hard to digest, let alone be engaged; at times, if you try too hard to follow, it’ll definitely make you dizzy.

Regardless of the over-information, R.K Rowling returns in the writing seat and producer as does David Yates from the past Potter movies and Fantastic Beasts prequel. The story moves from the last to darker alleys. Grindelwald (Johnny Depp), the dark wizard, escapes in the first few minutes of the movie when he is being transferred from America to England to pay for his crimes.

Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) is offered by the Ministry of Magic to track down Credence Barebone (Ezra Miller from the prequel). Barebone turns out to be an obscurial – a wizard who suppresses there magical ability to such extent that it breeds a parasite in them which gives them unknown powers. While Grindelwald is also out to find Credence, the Ministry gives Scamander his international traveling paper if he complies and Dumbledore (Jude Law) for his reason also wants Scamander on the case.

A lot of the previous set of characters return and more are added to the mix. The pace is faster and better but having too many plot threads thrown all over the place makes the story clumsy. However, this part in the Fantastic Beast spin off has slightly more to offer to Potter fans, with a little bit more investment in the Hogwarts and Dumbledore lore.

Visually David Yates still does not know how to shoot an action sequence that is dynamic or coherent. Rowling has proven over time that she has talent at spinning tales of deep and rich colours – sometimes, though, things get lost in the many things happening to register or reflect. A must-watch for Potter fans and okay-ish watch for the layman, the movie is a definite plus because the beasts are certainly more likeable and detailed in this one. •