With Gellert Grindelwald’s (Mads Mikkelsen) power rapidly growing, Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law) entrusts Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) and his friends with a mission leading to a clash with Grindelwald’s army. Dumbledore must also keep track of how long he will stay on the sidelines in the approaching war.

Moving from the late 1920s into the early 1930s, Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore finds the Wizarding World gripped by the threat of growing darkness and chaos with the rise of the charismatically dangerous Gellert Grindelwald at the helm, and it’s going to take a plucky team of would-be heroes to stop him. This is the world and narrative that director David Yates introduces us to and the action builds quickly in this bold new chapter of the Fantastic Beasts saga. Looking to the film noir genre for inspiration, Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore is a darker more intense experience for Potter fans, and Yates focuses his attention on building this film out as a globe-trotting adventure film.

Along with the fast-paced action of his narrative, Yates also builds out Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore as a team movie and focuses on an ensemble cast and the formation of Dumbledore’s ‘first army’ to combat the actions of Grindelwald adds to the excitement of the film. Along with quirky magic zoologist Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne), this team include his brother Theseus (Callum Turner); Ilvermorny tutor Professor Eulalie “Lally” Hicks (Jessica Williams); respected wizard Yusuf Kama (William Nadylam), Newt’s dedicated assistant Bunty Broadacre (Victoria Yeates) and Newt’s No-Maj friend Jacob Kowalski. All of these characters have an interesting part to play, and each actor brings a unique talent and skill which is in keeping with the classic team movie and Dumbledore’s plan.

Returning to the screen as the much respected and honoured British wizard and Hogwarts professor Albus Dumbledore is celebrated British thespian Jude Law and here he gets to expand on, and look deeper into the character of a younger Dumbledore. While we first met Dumbledore’s younger self back in Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, here we get a far deeper picture of his role within the Wizarding World and his dark and complicated past. Key to this past was his one-time attraction to Gellert Grindelwald and it’s very clear that Law’s Dumbledore is seeking a path to redemption and is looking for a way to atone for his past transgressions. Law again plays this young Dumbledore with a keen inquisitiveness, along with the ability to think on his feet and act accordingly.

Making his debut in Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, and bringing a dangerous new threat to the Wizarding World is celebrated actor Mads Mikkelsen who takes on the role of Gellert Grindelwald. And he brings a devilish charm to the character. Mikkelsen brings an air of menace, authority and dangerous charisma to the character and whenever he’s on-screen you can’t take your eyes off of him. He brings an enticing and calculating quality to the character and you can see why so many would turn to the dark side in order to follow him. His confrontations with Law’s Dumbledore also play up well and their bitter and violent duel on the peaks of Bhutan, is a spectacle to behold as sparks fly and the action heats up.

Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore has amazing worldbuilding and some great key performances and audiences seeking a confrontation between light and dark in the form of Dumbledore vs Grindelwald will be well pleased.

Image: Warner Brothers Pictures

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Doctor Strange is certainly no different.

This origin story introduces us to the exceptionally talented and ruthlessly arrogant neurosurgeon, Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), whose life changes when a devastating car crash cripples his hands. When Western medicine fails him, his search for healing leads him to the Ancient One (Tilda Swinton) who reveals a secret world of sorcery and the constant battle against those who subscribe to the dark arts. Strange is faced with the choice of his old life of success and fortune or leaving it all to defend the planet against inter-dimensional threats.

Cumberbatch creates a memorable, charismatic character that’s reminiscent of the ever-popular Tony Stark played by Robert Downey Jr. while keeping his own unique brand of wit, charm and ego. His exchanges with the enclave librarian, Wong (Benedict Wong) are spliced beautifully between the intense mystical training and philosophical pondering. Chiwetel Ejiofor gives a brilliant performance as Strange’s headstrong mentor, Mordo while Swinton brings a fresh take and new personality to the Ancient One, typically portrayed as an old, Nepalese man.

I particularly felt they really got the villain right with Mads Mikkelsen who plays Kaecilius, a former student of the Ancient One gone bad. There’s more depth to his character than the usual mindless hunger for destruction; he was the product of conflicting ideologies when he questioned the teachings of his former master. He certainly wasn’t boring to watch.

I need to take a moment to try and emphasise how mind-bogglingly incredible the visual effects are in this film. Watching a speck-like Strange fall through vast dimensions or a kaleidoscopical Manhattan that would make Christopher Nolan jealous is an experience in itself. I personally recommend seeing this movie in 3D.

As the newest addition to the MCU, Doctor Strange is most definitely welcome and intensely fun to watch. The trademark mid-credit and end-credit scenes leave plenty to speculate on regarding the wider plot as we inevitably lead to the Infinity War.

Image: Walt Disney Pictures

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When eminent but vain neurosurgeon Dr. Stephen Strange (Cumberbatch) loses the loss of his hands in a severe car accident he is left broken and in despair. Desperate for a miracle he travels the world, making his way to the Far East where he comes under the tutelage of the mystical Ancient One (Tilda Swinton) who instructs him in the power of magic and the divine. Taking the mantle of the ‘Sorcerer Supreme’ Strange must use his new found power to battle a renegade follower of the Ancient One whose plans for chaos could impact the entire world.

The new trailer showcases a spot on Cumberbatch as Strange, as he is thrown into a world of Escher-like mystery. The trailer also strikes a good balance between Cumberbatch’s Strange and Chiwetel Ejiofor’s Baron Mordo. While their relationship will take a different turn from the comics, it is sure to produce plenty of heated exchanges between these cinematic heavy hitters. Mads Mikkelsen also steps out of the shadows and appears to be channeling his unique villain skills as the ferocious and vengeful sorcerer Kaecilius.

Doctor Strange has major importance to Marvel’s Phase Three, not just because it is the launch pad for a brand new hero, but because it’s introducing the concept of magic into the wider Marvel Cinematic Universe. Doctor Strange also ties into the greater cosmos setting that Marvel are pushing towards with Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol 2, and the impending showdown between the heroes of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Josh Brolin’s celestial titan Thanos.

Marvel fans will have a lot to look forward to when Doctor Strange is released in cinemas on October 27 in New Zealand and Australia, on October 28 the UK and in the US on November 4.

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