The Secrets of Dumbledore is nothing if not a small step in the right direction, as its slightly more palatable tone at least attempts to side-step a few ugly turns taken during the series' second outing. (At least one cute little creature is brutally killed, but at least a baby isn't murdered this time.) Too little, too late? Probably. For what it's worth, though, Dumbledore should at least be credited for its workmanlike attention to detail and a few thoughtful turns, as well as the admirable performances of its returning cast members. Even so, I've got a not-at-all original feeling that the recasting of Depp's character was the tipping point for most: Mikkelson does well enough filling the central role on short notice, but it's always near-impossible for a franchise to continue smoothly after the sudden replacement of a key face. The fact remains that this series' ever-dwindling fanbase just needed one good reason to evacuate a sinking ship... and besides, the last few years have basically killed just about everything else that used to be fun.
Despite its shortcomings, Warner Bros. has assembled a solid home video package for The Secrets of Dumbledore, which is available on 4K and Blu-ray combo packs as well as few store-exclusive variants. Although the film's still-bleak visuals make this a tough one to judge picture-wise, its Atmos mix is excellent and the studio has boosted the number of extras this time around. If you actually love the film, you'll get plenty of enjoyment out of this one.
Optional subtitles, including English (SDH), are included during the film and all bonus features.
The Dumbledore Family Tree (8:38) - This short featurette examines the relatives of Albus Dumbledore, beginning with his two siblings and going back several generations.
Dumbledore Through the Ages (7:23) - Director David Yates, producer David Heyman, actor Richard Harris, J.K. Rowling, Jude Law, and others speak about the character's long history.
Magical or Muggle (4:32) - A light-hearted guessing game with members of the cast and crew.
The Magic of Hogwarts (5:47) - Actors Jessica Williams, Jude Law, Callum Turner, Victoria Yeates, and several others share their memories of the iconic set as seen in different Wizarding World films.
Even More Fantastic Beasts (6:24) - A quick look at the new creatures and old favorites seen in the film.
Newt in the Wild (4:48) - Actor Eddie Redmayne, producer David Heyman, and others speak about finally getting the chance to see Newt explore an environment he's most comfortable in.
The German Ministry of Magic (4:57) - Returning participants talk about the location's place in the film.
A Dumbledore Duel (4:00) - A short featurette about the showdown between Albus and Credence.
The Candidates' Dinner (4:46) - Another scene examination, this brief piece features actor Dan Folger, VFX supervisor Christian Manz, producer Tim Lewis, and others as they discuss the titular sequence.
Erkstag Jailbreak (4:51) - Several familiar faces dissect yet another key scene in the film, specifically its practical construction as well as visual effects and other challenges in bringing it to life.
Battle in Bhutan (5:42) - The final scene examination, this piece features producer David Heyman, VFX supervisor Christian Manz, producer designer Neil Lamont, and other returning participants.
Deleted Scenes (5 clips, 7:15 total) - Presented in low-bitrate 1080p with Dolby Digital 5.1 audio, these short (and mostly self-explanatory) scenes are worth a once-over for fans of the film.
Hogwarts Owlery (1:08) Newt's House (3:50) Credence Kills Auror (0:57) Wands Checked (0:41) Vogel at Nurmengard (0:54)
The Secrets of Cursed Child (4:51) - A promo for the ongoing Harry Potter stage production.