Newt Scamander (Redmayne), the withdrawn magizoologist, and the niffler, a sleight of hand and adorable briefcase beast, spark a magical game of cat and mouse in the middle of 1920s New York City. This lighthearted pursuit guides our narrative and we are pleased to enjoy this film without asking what it has to do with, well, you know who.

Sure, there are some astute references, but the focus leans toward the perfection in which Eddie Redmayne delivered Newt to us; awkward, reserved, calm and intelligent. This ideal sartorial and artistic portrayal facilitates our belief in Jacob Kowalski (Folger) as well as sisters Queenie (Sudol) and Porpentina (Waterson). Kowalski is the lovable outsider with baking aspirations that fell victim to right place, right time. Queenie, the enchanting legilimens (mind-reader), evokes thoughts of Marylin Monroe and Porpentina, the clumsy American witch with good intentions.

The idea that this film can be savored singularly, even with the impending follow-up tales, is quite clever. And sure, you can ask what Newt has to do with the ultimate story, but that is far-sighted. The FC wand casts 3.8 napkins out of 5 upon Fantastic Beasts, reflecting our automatic 0.5 napkin deduction for casting Johnny Depp.