Movie Review: “Deadpool 2”

The merc with a mouth is back. After the phenomenal success of “Deadpool”, it’s no surprise that “Deadpool 2” was one of the most anticipated movies this year. So, does the movie manage to live up to the colossal expectations? We-ell, yes and no. While the movie delivers more of the crazy comedy and fourth wall breaking as its predecessor, and also adds in some great action set pieces; the sheer uniqueness and audacity of the original hasn’t been recreated. It’s more of the same – which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It’ll still be a juggernaut at the box office for sure (you’ll see what I did there).

“Deadpool 2” is, as the protagonist puts it, a family film. Although it sounds crazy, the movie actually does have a lot of heartfelt moments. To sum up the plot, Deadpool has to try and stop Cable, a soldier from the future, from trying to kill a young, troubled mutant. Throw in returning characters like Dopinder, Weasel, Blind Al and the budget members of the X-Men mansion; and a bunch of new characters like Domino and Peter joining the “X-Force” into the mix, and you got the ingredients for a fun outing (I know this is really skimming the top and leaving you with more questions than answers, but I don’t want to give away anything remotely close to a spoiler).

The movie is definitely fun, but if you are not up to speed on your comic book movies, or don’t enjoy the brand of adult humour that Deadpool provides, then maybe this plate of chimichangas isn’t for you. But for those of you who enjoy it, the movie provides loads and loads of laugh out loud moments, pop culture and movie references, cameos and easter eggs which would be caught by casual viewers, as well as those which would take even eagle-eyed fans repeat viewings. The action sequences continue to take advantage of the ‘R’ rating, and John Wick co-director David Leitch stages some impressive action pieces, which I felt was lacking in the first part. But there is a certain been-there-done-that feel that I couldn’t shake off. If you are expecting a completely brand-new experience and the sort of novelty that the first movie had, you are likely to be a bit disappointed.

From an acting front, there is nothing to complain about. The returning actors fit into their characters like nothing has changed – and Ryan Reynolds is pitch perfect as the motor-mouthed, quick-witted superhero. Of the new cast, Josh Brolin is very good as Cable, but it was Zazie Beetz as Domino who really impressed me. Julian Dennison as Russell Collins, the young mutant Deadpool must protect, also makes a mark.

I would definitely recommend “Deadpool 2” – there is a lot to like here, but don’t go expecting something absolutely path-breaking like the first movie. It guarantees a lot of laughs and a fun experience.

P.S.: Needless to say, but don’t forget to stay for the mid-end credits scene. It’s an absolute hoot!

P.P.S.: I was pleasantly surprised that there were no cuts, and just a few words muted when I saw the movie here. I was expecting a silent movie to be released – thank God that’s not the case.  

Movie Review: “Raazi”

“Raazi” is a spy thriller, which stays true to the genre yet defying some of its basic tropes. Unlike other spy movies which portray the characters in a larger than life fashion (a-la the James Bond franchise and many Bollywood movies); the focus here is on actual espionage, and the treatment is understated and grounded in reality – which benefits the movie immensely. Which is essential given that the movie is based on true events. That being said, “Raazi” is more focused on the emotions of it all. While most spy movies have hardened, cynical leads who should not get emotionally invested, the protagonist of “Raazi” is emotional and vulnerable, and the movie is more focused on the emotional turmoil in her journey of espionage.

“Raazi” follows Sehmat, a young Kashmiri girl who is married off into a Pakistani military family to get information and pass it on to the Indian army, during the time leading up to the India-Pakistan war of 1971. The journey of Sehmat, as she adjusts to her new family, gains their trust and falls in love with her husband; while at the same time relaying information to the Indian side at the risk of getting caught, forms the crux of the story.

“Raazi” is directed by Meghna Gulzar, who last directed “Talvar”, which was a police procedural based on the Aarushi Talwar murder case. She is able to deftly handle both the thrill elements and the emotional moments of the movie. Though I personally felt the tension could have been more heightened and there are moments where things seem to fall into place very conveniently, the movie is more about the emotions involved and the director has done justice to the script. It’s great that the script doesn’t resort to creating situations just for the sake of raising the stakes or coming up with suspenseful moments. It is also extremely commendable that the movie does not resort to jingoistic scenes or Pakistan bashing to create a sense of patriotism and takes a very mature and even responsible look at the meaning of patriotism and love for one’s country.

The movie benefits from a solid cast, led by an amazing performance from Alia Bhatt. Her recent filmography has given her ample opportunities to showcase her acting chops, and “Raazi” is definitely one of her finest performances. She seems to be choosing her roles vey well, and I’m excited to see what she does in the years ahead. Vicky Kaushal is also very good as her military officer husband – he delivers a nuanced performance showing a lot of vulnerability. I must also mention Shishir Sharma, who plays Sehmat’s father in law, and Jaideep Ahlawat as Khalid Mir, who trains Sehmat – both of them have given great performances and I hope they get the praise they deserve. It’s also good that smaller roles have good performances, including Rajit Kapur as Sehmat’s father and Amruta Khanvilkar as her sister in law.

I would definitely recommend that you catch “Raazi” – it is a finely crafted spy thriller that deserves to be seen. In a world where sensible Bollywood movies are finding more and more takers, “Raazi” makes a case to keep the trend going.

Movie Review: “Omerta”

There are certain movies where the lead actor pretty much carries the entire movie. One of them was definitely the Hansal Mehta directed Rajkumar Rao starrer “Shahid”. The director-actor duo has now added another movie to this list. “Omerta” is all about it’s leading man, and once again, Rajkumar Rao is brilliant.

“Omerta” is an attempt to delve into the mind of terrorist Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, the notorious Pakistan based terrorist, and follows a non-linear structure focusing on his ‘formative’ years where he becomes a fundamentalist, the 1994 kidnappings of foreigners in India which led to his release, and the plot to kidnap journalist Daniel Pearl, which eventually leads to his death.

Hansal Mehta is a capable director, and “Omerta” is yet another feather in his cap. Mehta is able to capture a sombre mood filled with dread and doesn’t need to resort to any frills to create the right atmosphere. The best scenes are the ones where Omar Saeed Sheikh plots his activities and befriends his targets – it is shot very well and the sinister intentions behind the disarming smile and nonchalant nature are always lurking in the background. I also have to mention the scene where Daniel Pearl is killed, which is so brutal despite the main events transpiring offscreen. Definitely not for the faint hearted. The movie is a chilling portrayal of a terrorist and his methods, and Mehta is able to fill the audience with a sense of awe and disgust at the same time. Like the protagonist (or should I say ‘antagonist’?), the movie is structured in a no-nonsense way, with quick cuts and slick editing. Also, I was surprised that the story is written by actor Mukul Dev – and it is definitely well written. 

In front of the camera, this is Rajkumar Rao’s show all the way. He is present in almost every scene in the movie, and it is probably the biggest plus of the movie. Barring his jarring accent which you can look past after a point, the performance is flawless. Rao portrays Omar Saeed Sheikh as a cold, calculated and ruthless mastermind, who is single-mindedly dedicated to his cause. He evokes no sympathy for the character obviously, but you can’t help being drawn into the performance.

“Omerta” is definitely not an easy watch, neither is it without its flaws. But it is a gripping watch if you can stomach it, and benefits from a director who is hitting the right notes and an actor who is at the top of his game. Recommended if you like the genre.