The reviews for Wizarding World sequel Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore have now apparated, so is this latest installment in the series got the magic touch? Well, sort of, is the short answer. While many agree that Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore is an improvement on what has come in the spinoff series before, there are still many criticisms to be found as Dumbledore edges closer to battling his friend-turned-enemy, Gellert Grindelwald.

Of course, there is still a lot to like about Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, and thus we shall begin with the positives, starting with our own Julian Roman, who found this third outing to be a “mature return to Hogwarts” that sadly may leave some feeling a little confused.

“The Secrets of Dumbledore is a vast improvement from the last film. Mads Mikkelsen brings a cold calculation and reserved anger to the villainous Grindelwald. There may be varying levels of confusion depending on your grasp of Harry Potter lore.”

Laura Sirikul of Den of Geek gives Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore a decent 3/5, and even felt that the movie would work as a satisfying conclusion to Newt’s story.

“Although there are two more films of the Fantastic Beasts franchise in the works, the writing team needs to figure out a better way to incorporate Newt and his friends into this overarching story of Dumbledore and Grindelwald’s eventual legendary duel. Otherwise, The Secrets of Dumbledore perfectly polishes a happy conclusion for the magizoologist and his colleagues, so if this story marked the end for Newt and his Fantastic Beasts, it would be enough.”

Patrick Cavanaugh of ComicBook.com also felt that the third Fantastic Beasts improved upon its predecessors, but wasn’t sure this was much reason to celebrate; “Manages to right the ship with an emphasis on characters and connections to the rest of the Wizarding World, but pulling itself out of the hole created by its predecessor still only makes this barely a success.” Empire’s Ben Travis echoed many of these sentiments, awarding the movie 3/5 and saying that, while it “doesn’t quite cast a Potter-like spell,” the “solid action and moments of genuine heart” delivers “a little light in the Wizarding World’s darkest hour.”

Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore Has Received its Share of Criticism

Unfortunately, Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore has been met with much criticism alongside these positive responses. Lovia Gyarkye of The Hollywood Reporter even felt that the sequel was a “slog.”

“After four years, “Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore” has arrived, and it is a slog more than an event.”

These sentiments were echoed by Siddhant Adlakha from IGN Movies, who struck the wizard sequel with a ruthless 4/10.

“It looks drab and feels like it was made by people who want to leave its magical premise behind, even though the series refuses to have anything resembling grown-up politics or perspectives.”

Kaitlyn Booth of Bleeding Cool also found little to like about Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, feeling that the movie is all build up with not much payoff.

“Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore is another frustrating entry into this series. It feels like 142 minutes of setup where ultimately not much happens in terms of story or character development.”

Directed by David Yates and starring Eddie Redmayne, Jude Law, Ezra Miller, Dan Fogler, Alison Sudol, Callum Turner, Jessica Williams, Katherine Waterston, and Mads Mikkelsen, Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore is scheduled for release on 15 April 2022 from Warner Bros. Pictures.