With magic at its core, all three of the works so far have been filled with wonderful creations, and the creatures of the title have run the gambit from cute and cuddly to quite menacing. There are scenes in The Secrets of Dumbledore that could be traumatic for the smallest members of the family so beware.

The previous success of the franchise has given the filmmakers the budget to fully realise their vision. The special effects both real and digital are impressive and they will fill the young ones with a sense of awe. The final battle between Grindelwald (now played by Mads Mikkelsen) and Dumbledore (Jude Law) brings things to an exciting conclusion.

This latest chapter fits nicely with what has come before and adds to the strong catalogue. With an edge-of-your-seat sense of peril and imaginative expressions of magic, Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore brings the trilogy to a rousing close. But then again if it makes big box office never say never.

Rob Hudson
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Unable to stop him alone, he entrusts Magizoologist Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) to lead an intrepid team of wizards, witches and one brave Muggle baker on a dangerous mission, where they encounter old and new beasts and clash with Grindelwald’s growing legion of followers.

But with the stakes so high, how long can Dumbledore remain on the sidelines?

The film features an ensemble cast, including Oscar winner Eddie Redmayne (“The Theory of Everything”), two-time Oscar nominee Jude Law (“Cold Mountain”, “The Talented Mr. Ripley”), Ezra Miller, Dan Fogler, Alison Sudol, William Nadylam, Callum Turner, Jessica Williams, Victoria Yeates, Poppy Corby-Tuech, Fiona Glascott, Katherine Waterston, Maria Fernanda Cândido, Richard Coyle, Oliver Masucci, Valerie Pachner and Mads Mikkelsen.
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Malick’s screenplay is based on the real life of Franz Jägerstätter, an Austrian who was a conscientious objector during World War II and refused to swear an allegiance to Hitler. He suffered severe consequences because of this. Jägerstätter is played with great dignity by August Diehl, better known to Western audiences as Major Hellstrom in Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds.

This examination of staying true to your principals even at great personal cost will test your ability to imagine having the same strength in what were horrendous circumstances. Visually, Jägerstätter’s hellish incarceration is starkly contrasted by the majestic surrounds of his native land and the simple beauty of his wife and three little girls. Malick spends a great deal of time establishing this overpowering splendour.

Also unconventionally, there are large blocks of German dialect with no subtitles, it forces you to pick up on the nuances and tone to gleam the inflection. This technique works most of the time, especially when Jägerstätter is copping abuse from his prison guards but less so with the dialogue with his lawyer and conversations with the townspeople. This is art, not commerce and should be treated as such. It is a challenge but well worth the effort.

Rob Hudson
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When the Austrian peasant farmer is faced with the threat of execution for treason, it is his unwavering faith and his love for his wife Fani and children that keep his spirit alive.

A Hidden Life will be released in Australian cinemas January 30.
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