THIS IS A RE-POST AFTER MY DISASTER WITH WIFI CUTOUT AT THE WEEKEND!!
source Screen-cast.com
As a family back home in the UK, we often went to the movies. The cinema itself was nice, good seating and screens with the added benefit of being able to take/order food and alcohol (after 9pm) into Screen 1 only, as these had the side tables. Pretty mode we thought ...
So on Saturday night we decided to go to the Galaxy Cinema here in Cairo for our youngest daughters birthday. Being Harry Potter's #1 fan , the choice was easy - FANSTASTICAL BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM! This is a pre-quel to the other Potter films and apparently according to his #1 fan, these are the books 'Harry' read, about Newt Scamanders' adventures, before going to Hogwarts! I am glad to say that there was not one death-eaters or quiddich match to be seen in this movie, but plenty of other interesting creations.
The cinema is located at the far end of a food court, an emporium of food stalls all vying for your patronage. There was an array of choices from Greek cuisince, to Thai, NYF ( frankfurters/fries), Pizza and even a fruit salad bar! the choice seemed endless, nearly a Hogwarts dining experience!! We settled on a special Thai dish of Chicken sweet/sour, noodles and bean sauce with a spring roll; totally scrummy and filling.
Having stuffed our faces, we headed over to the cinema enterance hall to purchase our tickets; Standard or V.I.P was the ticket choice - well! guess what we opted for- yep V.I.P , it was her birthday after all. We were then shown into a 'waiting lounge'. This was beautiful with large leather chairs & sofa's around coffee tables. A cocktail bar ( only fruit cocktails served being a Muslim country) with a variety of different mixes to pick from. Snacks on the table and magazines to peruse whilst you wait to be seated - all very glam. Here you wait for someone to come and escort you to your seats, so we settled in with an ice-cream and waited to be escorted. Around the room are big screen TV's advertising the up and coming films, of which we were already deciding what our next trip was going to be.
Ahmed our escort arrived and proceeded to 'escort' us to our seats, after asking first 'If we were ready to watch the film now'?
We followed him up to the cinema room and oh boy what a room this was. There was approximately 6 rows of seating and only 6 seats to a row. Joe from Friends would think he had died and gone to heaven - huge LAZYBOYS were the choice of seating here. Full individual leather seats with tables built in for added comfort, unreal.
"Madam want to lie down?" pardon
"Madam want legs up" 'scuse me
Yes, I was asked if I wanted to have the seating reclined so as to watch the film from a more comfortable position - well when in Rome ( or Egypt in this case ) so Yes Please! Once in position, chocolate, cocktail and 3d glassed on ( all of us), we were ready to watch the film. I must add here that there were only 4 other people in at the same time as us and they had the same treatment, wasnt just because we were 'foreigners'. But we did feel rather special......
( this is similar to what we experienced - source seedubai.com)
FILM REVIEW - MY OWN PERSONAL OPINION
The film starts off with Newt Scamander, the Doctor Dolittle of the wizarding world, entering 1920 New York City with his magical 'Brown suitcase' (keep an eye on this suitcase). Its not long before he becomes involved in a little 'escapade' due to a very naughty 'Nifler' who takes a shine to whats on offer in New York. It through this naughty creature that Newt meets Jacob Lawoski, a No-Mag ( Muggle) and would-be-baker, who soon becomes embroiled in the wizarding world when their suitcases get swapped; this in turn lead to the rest of the creatures escaping onto the streets of New York! Part of the film is then centered around capturing these animals, which is both funny and has great CGI content.
(source harrypotterpage.com)
The action is fast and soon has you on the edge of your seat wanting more and wanting that Nifler! On the sidelines watching all of this is Tina, a demoted Auror, who befriends Newt and 'the brown suitcase'. She realises that Newt is not all that he seems and takes him to the Ministry for Magic or as the Americans call it MACUSA ( The Magical Congress of the United States)
MACUSA is searching for a mysterious ' thing' that is attacking New Yorkers. Colin Farrel plays the part of the investigator for MACUSA, but what is his real agenda??? |They dismiss Newt as person of no interest and get back to trying to find the source of the attacks. This is the 'under' story of the film and creates a great backdrop to the good v evil senario.
Back on the streets Newt and Tina team up to catch the roaming Magical Creatures and this gives rise to some very funny moments, especially when Jacob once again gets drawn into helping. This is where J K Rowling's imagination comes into the forefront, very magical and almost believable!
Jacob Kowloski would-be-baker ( source comingsoon.net)
Bowtruckle 
(source harrypotterpage.com)
This film has some wonderful CGI scenes, along with the special effects, really takes you on a magical worldwind tour of Newt Scamander and 1920's New York . The film is a real 'good feel' film - one for all the family to enjoy. Some great moments, enhanced by the special effects, keeping you on the edge of your seat to the final moment of wizarding magic. Great ending - Watch out for the 'cameo' role!!!!!
Film Verdict: 10 out of 10 all round for me - a good family feel good film- easy to watch, lots going on and great special effects. Storyline good v evil but not too complicated to follow.
Personal experience 100% even an interval 1/2 way through ! - yes honestly so that you didn't miss any of the film by having to nip out to the toilets!
Daughters verdict: 1000000% and counting - ''loved,loved,loved it MUM!! and they are doing more did you know mum??"
Livvie has now added a 'Bowtruckle' to her Christmas wish list - google here I come!
If you get the opportunity to go and see this film, and are a bit of a wizarding fan, then I don't think you will be disappointed.
(source comingsoon.net)