As a massive Harry Potter fan, the “Fantastic Beasts” series has kept me entertained for quite some time. After four long years, the series is back with its third movie, “Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore.” After much anticipation, I have to say the movie was disappointing

Released on April 15, the movie centers around Gellert Grindelwald (Mads Mikkelson) and his plan to take control of the wizarding world and wage war. Knowing the power of his former friend, Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law) hires Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) and a group of wizards to help stop Grindelwald.

At first, I was unsure before watching the movie since Johnny Depp was no longer playing the role of Grindelwald due to recent controversies. Despite this, I was surprised by Mikkelson’s acting, and thought he played the complex role brilliantly. I also liked seeing more of the romantic relationship between Dumbledore and Grindelwald as they were ex-lovers. There was an uneasy tension between them as they became enemies, but held onto their past.

Seeing Hogwarts on the big screen was the best part of the movie, but the focus of the storyline was not supposed to be that. I wish the movie focused more on the beasts with powers and less on the petty drama between wizards. With too much emphasis on the wizarding world’s election, there were many loose ends which left the plot lacking.

I don’t know if it was the plot or the large number of characters, but I found myself very confused at points. I didn’t know what to focus on. Although I liked seeing the brotherly relationship between Newt and Theseus (Callum Turner) grow, the whole “secrets” part of the movie was missing. Even though I watched all of the “Harry Potter” movies and the other two movies in the “Fantastic Beasts” series, I felt there was information missing. The previous movies built up a great plot only for this movie to confuse everything.

All in all, I thought the movie was OK. It was visually pleasing, but it had a messy plot. I wouldn’t recommend this movie to anyone who doesn’t have prior knowledge of the wizarding world from past movies.