By Susan Granger
Special to WestportNow
When Harry Potter studied at Hogwarts, one of his textbooks was “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” by Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne). So Newt’s story is an imaginative prequel.
Newt, a British Magizoologist, travels to New York City in 1926, arriving on Ellis Island with a bottomless satchel of supernatural creatures, several of which escape, thrusting nerdy Newt into the company of Jacob Kowalski (Dan Fogler), a gullible, good-natured No-Maj (American for Muggles).
They’re spotted by Tina Goldstein (Katherine Waterson), an astute ex-Auror who’s eager to regain her Investigator post. Members of the Magical Congress of the United States (MACUSA) are strictly segregated and secretive, hidden within a skyscraper (the Woolworth Bldg.).
Its immense Magical Exposure Threat Level Barometer is color-coded at Orange for “severe unexplained activity” because sinister, manipulative Dark Wizard Gellert Grindlewald is on the loose. Pressure is heightened by fanatical witch hunters, Second Salemers, led by bigoted Mary Lou Barebone (Samantha Morton).
One of her troubled acolytes, Credence (Ezra Miller), tips off Director of Magical Security Percival Graves (Colin Farrell), who becomes suspicious, forcing Newt and Tina to flee with Jacob and Tina’s mind-reading sister, Queenie (Alison Sudol).
Their chaotic travels take them through the Lower East Side, Central Park and a stylized Jazz Age speakeasy run by Goblin Gnarlak (Ron Perlman), to a confrontation in Manhattan’s old City Hall subway station.
Based on her own mythology, screenwriter J.K. Rowling, working with longtime “Harry Potter” director David Yates and cinematographer Phillipe Rousselot, touches on timely xenophobia (paranoia leading to prejudice and intolerance), while focusing on conservationist Newt’s magical CGI menagerie.
There’s naughty, duck-billed Niffler, who loves shiny, sparkly objects; sprig-like Pickett, the devoted Bowtruckle; the hulking, rhino-like Erumpent; the explosive Obscurus; and Arizona’s majestic Thunderbird – among others.
But Redmayne’s mumblings are often incoherent and it’s overly long – with four episodes to come.
On the Granger Movie Gauge of 1 to 10, “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” is an engaging, enchanted 8, a fun-filled return to the wizarding world.
Featuring the most brutal wartime carnage since “Saving Private Ryan,” Mel Gibson’s “Hacksaw Ridge” is a biopic about a pacifist, a man whose unconventional beliefs made him a pariah among his peers.
Raised as a Seventh-Day Adventist in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, idealistic Desmond Doss (Andrew Garfield) enlists in the U.S. Army during W.W.II as a medic – to save lives.
A conscientious objector, he refuses to use a weapon, which confuses his tough drill Sergeant (Vince Vaughn) and infuriates other recruits in his barracks. Refusing to quit boot camp, pious Doss is threatened with a court martial because he won’t obey Army regulations.
Then his platoon is shipped out to the Pacific island of Okinawa, where they’re ordered to take Hacksaw Ridge, a steep, 35-foot cliff upon which the Japanese have been hunkered down in bunkers.
Complete with flamethrowers and flying bodies, savage battles ensue, after which Dawes reveals remarkable courage. Instead of retreating, he stays atop the Ridge for five hours, bravely retrieving one wounded comrade after another, praying, “Lord, help me get just one more…”
There’s no denying Gibson’s directorial talent as he places this avowed pacifist amid a bloody spectacle. Although it’s often difficult separating the artist from his work, one might interpret casting Jewish Andrew Garfield as an act of atonement for Gibson’s virulent anti-Semitic ranting.
Plus, there’s an obvious connection with war-obsessed Gibson, since his father moved the family to Australia to avoid his sons being drafted to serve in Vietnam.
Gibson elicits fine performances from his ensemble which includes Teresa Palmer as Dawes’ wife, Hugo Weaving as Dawes’ alcoholic father and Rachel Griffiths as his abused mother The conclusion is lifted from Terry Benedict’s documentary “The Conscientious Objector” (2004).
On the Granger Gauge, “Hacksaw Ridge” is an intense, viscerally stunning 7. Idealized and idiosyncratic, it illuminates the first conscientious objector awarded the Medal of Honor.
Back in 1959, a Danish woodcutter named Thomas Dam came up with the idea of “Trolls” doll.
As the story goes, he couldn’t afford to buy a doll for his young daughter, so he carved one. It became so popular among her friends that Dam became a toymaker, founding Dam Things, producing Trolls in soft plastic with colorful, cotton-candy hair. In 2003, the Toy Industry Assoc. elevated the squat, fuzzy Troll to its Century of Toys list.
Trolls are “the happiest creatures the world had ever known.” In their woodland Trolltopia, they love to sing, dance and hug, blissfully riffing into Justin Timberlake’s “Can’t Stop the Feeling,” Lionel Ritchie’s “Hello,” Diana Ross’ “I’m Coming Out,” “Simon & Garfunkel’s “The Sound of Silence,” Cyndi Lauper’s “True Colors,” Earth, Wind & Fire’s “September.”
Problem is: as a worrywart Troll named Branch (Justin Timberlake) points out, although the Trolls’ mortal enemies, the giant Bergen ogres, haven’t been seen for 20 years, they may return any day now.
Monstrous Bergens gobble Trolls and disgraced Chef Bergen (Christine Baranski) kidnaps several – including Biggie (James Corden) and DJ Suki (Gwen Stefani) – to serve on Trollstice, a feast day.
So perpetually optimistic, pink Princess Poppy (Anna Kendrick) and Branch launch a rescue mission.
Meanwhile, Chef’s long-suffering scullery maid, Bridget (Zooey Deschanel), is secretly in love with Prince Gristle (Christopher Mintz-Plasse). So ever-helpful Trolls give her a bedazzling make-over, turning her into Lady GlitterSparkles.
Despite its exuberant platitudes, derivative predictability and cupcake poop, directors Walt Dohrn (“Spongebob Squarepants”) and Mike Mitchell (“Shrek Forever After”) keep the action peppy, blindingly colorful – and instantly forgettable.
On the Granger Gauge, “Trolls” is a sugary, syrupy 6 – with a rockin’ soundtrack.
( Editor’s Note: Westport resident Susan Granger grew up in Hollywood, studied journalism with Pierre Salinger at Mills College, and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with highest honors in journalism. In addition to writing for newspapers and magazines, she has been on radio/television as an anchorwoman and movie/drama critic for many years. See her reviews at www.susangranger.com.)
