Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them Blu-ray Review

"Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" benefits from skillful cinematography by Philippe Rousselot, where his meticulous lighting and production design craft a vivid contrast between the subdued hues of 1920s New York and the vibrant tones of the magical world. Warner's 1080p, AVC-encoded Blu-ray brilliantly captures these contrasts, maintaining deep blacks, subtle color grading, and excellent fine detail throughout. The digitally-acquired visuals convey an antique texture that enhances the film's period setting. Encoded at an average bitrate of 22.17 Mbps, the image lacks any significant artifacts, providing a pristine viewing experience.

Presented in a 2.40:1 aspect ratio and encoded in MPEG-4 AVC, this Blu-ray transfer is sharp and detailed, even during CGI-heavy scenes. The palette in 1920s New York is deliberately muted, featuring industrial grays and foggy streets, while scenes within the magical realm burst with warm, saturated colors. Details such as individual hair strands, freckles, and intricate makeup effects are flawlessly rendered across various lighting conditions. Black levels are consistently deep and inky, though some black clothing textures may occasionally appear less detailed. The presentation avoids issues like banding, aliasing, and video noise, resulting in exceptional marks.

The image quality of "Fantastic Beasts" may surprise viewers expecting more vibrant pops of color. The intentioned matte finish offers a restrained palette, contributing to a rustic atmosphere filled with browns, blues, and rusty yellows. Black levels are generally deep with minor gray undertones, and the level of detail remains impressive throughout, particularly in close-up shots revealing intricate facial features. Digital effects are seamlessly integrated into this natural-looking presentation. Ultimately, Warner's Blu-ray release successfully encapsulates the visual intentions of Rousselot's cinematography, ensuring a satisfying home viewing experience that's both technically proficient and aesthetically immersive.

The audio presentation of the Blu-ray release of "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" is nothing short of spectacular, offering both Dolby Atmos (with a TrueHD 7.1 core) and DTS-HD MA 5.1 soundtracks. However, users with Atmos-capable setups will need to manually select the Dolby Atmos track, as the disc defaults to DTS-HD MA. Warner Bros. has masterfully captured the essence of J.K. Rowling’s magical universe through nuanced and immersive sound design. The Atmos track is particularly impressive, with standout sequences such as the Obscurus' rampage vividly enveloping the listener in a cascade of falling debris, shattering glass, and other high-intensity effects. Every magical beast has a distinctive audio signature, from Newt’s creatures' high-pitched chatter to their deep bellows, expertly navigating the line between organic and otherworldly.

The directional audio details are exceptional, with overhead elements like falling rain and debris creating a fully enveloping auditory experience. Ambient sounds, including street chatter and background creature noises, are robust and perfectly integrated into the surround sound field. The score by James Newton Howard seamlessly blends with the movie's sound effects without overpowering other elements, adding depth and emotional weight to both comedic and adventurous moments. Low-frequency effects are managed with expert precision, delivering impactful bass that enhances the overall sense of immersion without ever becoming overbearing. Dialogue, a crucial component in understanding the richly detailed world Rowling has created, remains clear and well-prioritized throughout the film. This impeccable layering ensures that even during intense action sequences, vocal clarity is never compromised.

In summary, "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" offers an audio experience that underscores Warner Bros.' commitment to high-quality sound production. Utilizing capabilities of Dolby Atmos to their fullest, the soundtrack provides an immersive and dynamic range that significantly enriches the viewing experience. This meticulous attention to detail in both atmospheric and dialogue-driven scenes makes this Blu-ray audio presentation a standout offering for audiophiles and casual viewers alike.

The Blu-ray extras for "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" offer an expansive dive into the film's creation, bringing both excitement and depth to its universe. David Heyman, J.K. Rowling, and director David Yates detail how the franchise was reignited with the collaboration of key cast members and crew, particularly the infectious camaraderie among Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, Dan Fogler, and Alison Sudol. The various featurettes delve into major aspects such as character development, creature design, intricate production designs, and the early 20th-century New York City setting. Notably, the deleted scenes provide further insight into the plot and characters with nearly complete visual effects, adding layers to an already rich narrative tapestry.

Extras included in this disc:

• Before Harry Potter: A New Era of Magic Begins!: Insights on the franchise's development by key figures and cast.
• Characters:
  • The Magizoologist
  • The Goldstein Sisters
  • The No-Maj Baker
  • The New Salemers
  • The President and the Auror
• Creatures:
  • Meet the Fantastic Beasts
  • Bowtruckle
  • Demiguise
  • Erumpent
  • Niffler
  • Occamy
  • Thunderbird
• Design:
  • Shaping the World of Fantastic Beasts
  • New York City
  • MACUSA
  • Newt's Magical Case
  • The Shaw Banquet
  • The Blind Pig
• Deleted Scenes: Eleven scenes providing additional character exploration and storyline enrichment.
• Introductory Trailers: Including promo for the Harry Potter series and 4K discs.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: A Marvelous Prequel

In Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, J.K. Rowling successfully expands the Harry Potter universe by delving into the early life of Newt Scamander, portrayed brilliantly by Eddie Redmayne. The film, set in 1926 New York, offers a unique backdrop that invigorates the Potterverse with its period charm and a new set of magical societies. By migrating the story from the familiar halls of Hogwarts to the bustling streets of New York City, director David Yates, who previously directed the last four Harry Potter films, crafts a rich, quasi-naturalistic environment where magic subtly infiltrates everyday life — a testament to his adeptness in balancing extensive CGI with practical sets and meticulous period details.

The plot centers around Newt, a bumbling yet endearing magizoologist tasked with returning a rare Thunderbird to its Arizona habitat. However, things quickly spiral out of control when some of his magical creatures escape, prompting a thrilling sequence of events that intertwines with the rising threats in the wizarding community. The introduction of new characters like No-Maj Jacob Kowalski, played to perfection by Dan Fogler, and the Goldstein sisters injects fresh energy and enriches the narrative tapestry. The film also hints at broader story arcs involving dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald, setting up a promising direction for future installments without overshadowing this self-contained narrative.

One of Fantastic Beasts' strengths lies in its ability to balance whimsical wonder with darker, more mature themes. This shift aligns perfectly with the adult cast's performances, particularly Katherine Waterston as Tina Goldstein and Colin Farrell as the enigmatic Percival Graves. The film’s action sequences feel grander and more intense, thanks to Yates' masterful direction, which keeps the fantastical elements grounded yet spectacular. As Newt and his companions navigate through magical and mundane adversaries, the film lays a solid foundation for sequels while standing robustly on its own, making it an essential addition to any Potterhead’s collection.

"Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" on Blu-ray offers an engaging dive into J.K. Rowling's ever-expanding wizarding world. The film introduces a plethora of new characters, magical creatures, and intricate plots that will appeal both to dedicated Harry Potter fans and newcomers. While it has a slightly darker tone compared to its predecessors, it balances these elements with moments of levity. Visually and audibly, the Blu-ray presentation sets a high standard, delivering reference-quality video and audio. However, some pacing issues and one-note characters slightly detract from the overall experience.

The Blu-ray disc comes packed with a wealth of extras that delve deeper into the lore and production of the film, providing both entertaining and informative behind-the-scenes content. Although highly technical, these features can be particularly rewarding for those interested in filmmaking processes. The absence of a commentary track from J.K. Rowling and director David Yates stands out as a minor shortfall, but it does little to diminish the overall quality of the package.

You don't need to have seen a single Harry Potter film to enjoy "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them". Potter fanatics will find a wealth of references and clues, but newcomers should be thoroughly entertained by Newt Scamander's unexpected journey and the rich world of people and creatures he encounters. Warner has given the film a polished Blu-ray treatment that includes interesting and informative extras, and the disc is highly recommended.