FANTASTIC BEASTS - THE SECRETS OF DUMBLEDORE

Cert 12A

136 mins

BBFC advice: Contains moderate fantasy threat, brief bloody images

Mads Mikkelsen is a fantastic villain, isn't he? 

It may be 16 years since he played the scarred Le Chiffre in Casino Royale but he proves he has lost none of his screen presence in this latest Fantastic Beasts episode.

He took the baton of  Gellert Grindelwald from the preoccupied Johnny Depp and, frankly, did a far better job than he could have.

Grindelwald is intent on using all of his cunning to begin a war between those in the magical world and the muggles he despises.

The only wizard who can match him for power is Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law) but long ago they signed a pact in blood that they would never fight each other.

Thus, the Hogwarts head teacher needs to enlist the help of others to save mankind.

Step forward Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne), aka Doctor Dolittle with a magic wand. I reckon he really does talk to the animals.

The movie begins with him helping a Qilin to give birth to a cherished baby which will be integral in deciding who becomes the leader of the magical world.

Grindelwald has designs on power so his agent, Credence Barebone (Ezra Miller), steals the baby, unaware that a twin is also born.

From then on, the evil one aims to seize his chance to end the muggles' world with Dumbledore, Scamander and a small group of others determined to stop him.

Let's face it, Fantastic Beasts will be best digested by J.K. Rowling fans who will understand the connections to the Harry Potter series and even beyond.

Even though I am not a Potter nerd, I enjoyed a few nods in its direction and a return to beloved Hogwarts.

The characters are unsurprisingly Potter-esque with a bit of young Snape in Barebone and a flick of Voldermort in Grindelwald.

Meanwhile, I found its special effects, the most dazzling element of David Yates' movie. The studio really excelled itself here.