“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” hit theaters on Nov. 18. The movie, a prequel to the widely popular “Harry Potter” series,  features Eddie Redmayne as Newt Scamander, the writer of a book Harry must purchase for his schooling.

The movie chronicles the journey of Newt Scamander through New York City while he collects new beasts for his book. He keeps many creatures that he adores in his suitcase. He meets two other wizards, Popertina and Queenie Goldstein, who assist him through his adventure. The story chronicles the time when the magical counsel begins their search for the Obscurial, a wizard whose magic has been suppressed and can create a dark and malevolent spirit which wreaks havoc on anything in its path. The American wizarding world turns upside down and the hunt for the Obscurial begins.

The setting of the movie realistically transports the watcher to 1920s New York. The movie begins with Newt going through customs at Ellis Island and has enough detail to bring the watcher there with him. The graphics of the movie, especially in scenes with Newt’s magic suitcase, possess enough detail for the watcher to feel like they can reach out and touch the creatures themselves.

The man who plays Newt Scamander, Eddie Redmayne, stole the show with his impeccable ability to move with the computer generated beasts whom he protects. He appears to actually work with the animals even though they did not exist in real life.

The film stays true to the other Harry Potter movies in the styling of the wands and the attitude of the wizarding authorities, even though they differ in setting, with this movie taking place in America. This movie fits right into the Harry Potter franchise and can definitely hold its own with the original critically acclaimed motion pictures.