Movie Review: ‘Petta’

Karthik Subbaraj has delivered what fans have wanted for a long time – a proper Rajini mass entertainer movie. ‘2.0’ was a success, it was more of a Shankar movie that relied heavily on special effects, and not the charisma of the superstar. While ‘Petta’ is by no means the best Rajini movie, it has done something important – it has revived the Rajini brand.

Right from the opening shots of the movie, it is clear that Karthik Subbaraj is a fanboy and has created a vehicle to show his reverence to his idol. The movie highlights everything that fans want in Rajini movies – punch dialogues, his excellent comic timing, and action sequences, to name a few. He stays true to the “formula”, and to Rajinikanth’s and Subbaraj’s credit, it works. This is a crowd pleaser from start to finish.

The story kicks off with Kaali (Rajinikanth) arriving as the warden of a boys’ hostel at a college in Darjeeling. As expected, he starts cleaning up the mess and taking on the college goon Michael (Bobby Simha) and his father Gnanam (Aadukalam Naren). He forms a close bond with a student Anwar (Sanath Reddy), and romances Mangalam (Simran). However, all is not hunky dory as Anwar is soon attacked in the college by goons of the villain Singaar Singh (Nawazuddin Siddiqui). A flashback reveals why, and Kaali and Anwar travel to Uttar Pradesh to take on Singaar Singh and his son Jithu (Vijay Sethupathi). The story is nothing too great, and the twist in the end is not really exceptional.

As expected with a Rajini movie, there is not much for the other actors to do. The towering presence of the superstar pretty much overshadows everyone else, and Rajinikanth is definitely enjoying himself here. Bobby Simha creates an impact with whatever he has to do. However, no one else really gets much to work with. Both Trisha and Simran have precious little screen time, and there is not much for them even in that. The real disappointment is to see Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Vijay Sethupathi saddled with very generic roles with nothing special to offer. It is expected I guess, but sad nonetheless. ‘Petta’ could have used strong antagonists.

But; all said and done, this is a Rajini movie, and there it ticks pretty much all the boxes. Fans would have enjoyed this one for sure.

2018 Missed Reviews Roundup - Part II

I know it is suuuuuper late, and probably pointless right now - but finishing what I started. So here goes.

Andhadhun

Sriram Raghavan is back in his element! Its’ really nice to see the director get back to form – if ‘Badlapur’ showed that he was getting his groove back, ‘Andhadhun’ is a realization of the enormous potential of the director. With a slick script, a great cast who fully commit to the material (impeccable casting by Mukesh Chhabra), brilliant editing and Raghavan’s trademark exploration of the grey shades in character, this is a suspense thriller/black comedy that really works. Special props to Tabu, who is absolutely wonderful as the morally ambiguous Simi – it is clear to see why she was Raghavan’s only choice for the role.

If you haven’t seen ‘Andhadhun’ yet, definitely make time for it. It is one of the movies that showcase the brave new directions that Bollywood is taking. Streaming on Netflix.

Badhaai Ho

‘Badhaai Ho’ is a sweet, charming family entertainer that tells the story of a middle-class family whose lives are turned around when the middle-aged parents get pregnant. The firm works primarily on account of its witty script which captures the lives of middle-class Delhi folk beautifully, crackling dialogue and the cast – while Ayushmann Khurana gives a good performance as expected, the senior actors Neena Gupta, Gajraj Rao and Surekha Sikri are the ones who steal the show.

Highly recommended if you have not seen it yet. Streaming on Hotstar.

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald

Even the most ardent fans of the Harry Potter universe (is that a thing?), who are in tune with the lore of the series, would have to admit that ‘Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald’ is quite dense and tries to jam in a lot of plot points, references, easter eggs and mythos into its run-time – resulting in a bloated, convoluted and over-complicated movie. And in this, the movie loses out on the wonder and the magical feel that the movie should have – the result is a dull experience which would alienate viewers new to the franchise, and also perhaps disappoint even the Pot-heads. No matter what criticisms people had on the first ‘Fantastic Beasts’ movie, it did deliver on the promise of the wondrous aspect of the world. 

All in all, this installment was a disappointment for me; and I hope the makers can get back to the roots of what made the earlier movies work.

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

Wow! There probably isn’t a more apt reaction for ‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’. I had been waiting for this one for a while; but even despite my pretty lofty expectations, this movie impressed me a lot. I saw this one on an IMAX screen, in all its artistic glory, and the results were absolutely outstanding. This is one of those rare movies that really does push the envelope in terms of what animation can actually achieve – it gives you the feel of an actual comic book, which is amazing. The animation is complemented by everything else – a great storyline (you need to pay attention or else you would find yourself confused and disoriented quite often), excellent dialogues and voice acting all around, a killer soundtrack and amazing editing, to name a few. If you missed watching this one on the big screen, you actually did miss something special. 

Would definitely recommend a watch once it does become available on streaming.

2.0

Shankar is back with the sequel of his super successful ‘Enthiran’. Despite a lot of hype and positive reviews, I went to the theatre with tempered expectations. And I wanted to like the movie – I really did. But, the paper-thin plot, mostly senseless screenplay and lack of an emotional core really didn’t work for me. Though the special effects are good (great use of 3D), it became overkill for most of the movie. Even the star-power of Rajinikanth did not really work for me – this was not a Rajini mass movie, so to speak – it was a Shankar extravaganza with Rajini as the hero. 

On the whole, I was disappointed and, surprisingly, bored during a lot of the movie. Probably an unpopular opinion, but I think Shankar’s vision could have been complemented with a better script.

Aquaman

‘Aquaman’ is now DC’s most successful movie – I think one of the main reasons for this is that after ‘Wonder Woman’, this is the DCEU’s most tonally consistent movie. This coupled with the strategy of moving away from the doom and gloom palette Zack Snyder had created in the previous movies. Director James Wan, famous for his horror movies, does a good job to create a visually stunning world, and the screenplay has a goofy, fun take on the superhero which works very well. And of course, Jason Mamoa is a charismatic leading man who is clearly having fun with the character. Despite quite a few shortcomings like an overcrowded plot, the standard busy and CGI heavy third act and a lack of emotional investment in the characters, the movie works for the large part. 

For those who were looking for a DC revival, this might not be the movie they deserve, but is the one they need.

Ralph Breaks the Internet

If you liked its prequel ‘Wreck-It Ralph’, chances are you will like ‘Ralph Breaks the Internet’. This is a delightful movie that takes the characters from the first movie and puts them into the new age of the internet. This premise has a lot of promise, with the leads in a fish-out-of-water scenario as they try to navigate the vast expanse of the internet. The humour is spot-on, and there are some observations which make you stop and think while laughing. And of course, Disney takes a jab at, and sprinkles easter eggs all over the place, from its vast pool of properties. The highlight, of course, is the scene where Vanellope meets and interacts with other Disney princesses – the scene is hilarious and Disney sportingly makes fun of itself as well.

On the whole, this one is a fun ride for young ones and adults alike – definitely worth a watch.

Bird Box

This was a weird one – while the Netflix movie ‘Bird Box’ is definitely not a complete disappointment, it doesn’t work as well as it should. Like most disaster movies, this one also creates a sense of dread and impending doom. The plot is broken into two parts – one which talks about how the protagonist tries to cope with some fellow survivors, and the other which talks about how she has to navigate a river with two children to get to safety, while being blindfolded. An inconsistent tone, an underwhelming ending, and mostly unlikable characters are some of the issues with the movie. And while Sandra Bullock is as reliable as ever, on the whole, this was definitely not the best output that could have come out.

Bandersnatch

‘Bandersnatch’ was, for me at least, a cinematic event that really heralded something new. While the concept of the consumer taking the plot forward is not new (there are a few interactive video games where the plot moves forward based on the choices of the players – and this is the main plot of ‘Bandersnatch’ as well), ‘Bandersnatch’ has really run with the idea. While this may not be the best ‘Black Mirror’ product, it definitely works – not just for the novelty of the choice based storytelling, but also how the makers are self-aware and drive the whole point home with apt themes of choice and free will; multiple endings; easter eggs; breaking the fourth wall; and dark humour as well. 

This is definitely something that was unique and beautiful, and I hope Netflix continues to challenge the status quo, experiment more and come up with new and interesting templates and concepts.

2018 Missed Reviews Roundup - Part I

So, the new year is here. Before we get into what promises to be an exciting year of movies, I wanted to make up for my laziness over the last few months of 2018 and write out some quick thoughts on some of the movies I saw but didn’t review at the time.

Since I was super lazy and missed out on reviewing quite a lot of movies, this will have to be a two parter. So, without further ado, let me share my take on some of the movies I caught towards the end of 2018.

Tumbbad

Probably my favourite Indian movie of 2018, ‘Tumbbad’ is a fascinating watch. Super-original and wildly imaginative, the movie feels like a folktale come to life. ‘Tumbbad’ is a tale on the dangers of greed and how you can never have enough, wrapped up in a horror movie. Gorgeous visuals with some good special effects, commendable set design, a great background score, all anchored by a strong performance from actor-producer Sohum Shah and brilliant direction by Rahi Anil Barve, there is a lot to love here.

While not without its flaws, this is definitely a movie experience worth your time. I was lucky enough to catch it in the theatre; but if you didn’t, you can catch it on Amazon Prime.

Manmarziyaan

While a romantic movie may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of director Anurag Kashyap, ‘Manmarziyaan’ feels like a natural progression for his filmography. But of course, this is not just another romantic movie. This is ‘Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam’ without the frills and fancies, and treated with the gritty realism Kashyap is famous for. A love story that shows the messy side of love, the movie strips its central relationships of the glossiness which we are accustomed to seeing while looking through the rose-coloured glasses of usual romantic movies. Sharp writing by Kanika Dhillon, one of my favourite soundtracks of the year, and great performances by the three leads all complement the superb, albeit slightly indulgent (the movie could have been a tad shorter for one), direction of Kashyap.

If you are a fan of Anurag Kashyap’s movies, 'Manmarziyaan' is definitely one to add to your watchlist.

A Star is Born

If you like romantic movies, tearjerkers, movies with a great soundtrack, or even ones that talk about fame and the ups and downs that come with it (ok, got a bit too specific there), ‘A Star is Born’ is for you. The commitment from actor-director Bradley Cooper is just complete, and it is pretty clear he gave it his all while making this movie. While it is a confident, assured and altogether a great directorial debut for actor Bradley Cooper; it was the amazing acting debut of Lady Gaga that left audiences awestruck. A good supporting cast, the ‘lay it all bare’ quality of the performances, the charming chemistry between its leads, good writing and of course, the evergreen premise all add to the beauty of this movie. And I would be remiss not to mention the amazing soundtrack that fully utilizes Gaga’s, and surprisingly Bradley Cooper’s (I know he trained a lot on both singing and guitar for this movie) singing chops.

‘A Star is Born’ is a beautiful movie, and it isn’t surprising it did so well. A must watch.

Creed II

‘Creed’ was such a breath of fresh air to the iconic ‘Rocky’ franchise. And while ‘Creed II’ may not have the novelty and freshness of Ryan Coogler’s addition to the franchise, it is still a compelling sports drama that uses the familiar tropes to good effect. Fine performances by its entire cast, a good plotline even for the ‘antagonists’, and good boxing sequences – all of them work together and we have a good package that lands a solid punch.

If you are a fan of the ‘Rocky’ franchise, or sports movies in general, this one is worth your while.

Revenge

This Netflix movie, while not original or reinventing the wheel, is visually stylish and gory enough to be an entertaining watch. Full credit to director Coralie Fargeat for creating a great experience. And with one of the most badass heroines of late in Matilda Lutz’s Jen, this revenge saga was quite enjoyable for me. Not a bad option to pass some time.

Movie Review: “Searching”

There is a new movie genre in town – well, maybe not so much a genre but more a medium of storytelling that has the possibility to lend itself to multiple genres. “Screen life” films, where the entire movie plays out on phone and computer screens, came to the forefront with the 2014 horror flick “Unfriended”; but is employed much more effectively and skilfully in “Searching”. This movie is a good case in point for the genre and Timur Bebkambetov, the producer of both movies, would definitely be happy with the result.

“Searching” is a mystery thriller which follows single parent David Kim (John Cho), as he searches for his missing daughter Margot (Michelle La) by navigating various tools like her laptop, her social media and the internet. Not only is it an interesting premise, it is one that lends itself especially well to the “screen life” genre – it feels like we are part of the investigation with David, as we also scour the screen for clues. It creates a very immersive and engaging experience, and the audience is fully invested as the proceedings unfold through various screens including browsers, video calls, security cam footage and news footage; to name a few. This is achieved by a tight screenplay, masterful direction and fine performances.

The screenplay very cleverly uses the medium at hand to give a very relatable feel – not surprising given the fact that we live in a world where we are all completely “online” and staring at various devices pretty much all the time. A big plus is that the writers trust the audience’s intelligence (for the most part) and allows them to navigate the investigation with David. The writing should also be appreciated for its subtlety and thematic elements – not only does it focus on the obvious ideas like how much of our life we live online, and how easy it would be for someone to get a sense of us based on our online activity; it also touches on themes of parenthood and family through the proceedings without overtly putting it out there.

Full marks to the director Aneesh Chaganty (this is his first full length feature, and he has co-written the movie with Sev Ohanian) for the near-flawless execution, as he pushes the plot forward masterfully and creates an edge-of-your-seat thriller using the seemingly unlikely medium perfectly. The unfolding of events purely on screens never feels gimmicky, jarring or restrictive (something that “Unfriended” never really achieved) – instead, the format feels like an obvious choice. Even with restrictions like mostly locked shots where the camera cannot move around, it does not take away from the performances or the tension.

Speaking of performances, John Cho is excellent as David – the angst and anguish in his performance is palpable, yet it is a restrained turn which is exactly what the character needs. The other cast members are very good as well, especially Debra Messing as the sympathetic detective assigned to Margot’s case.

I highly recommend “Searching” – it shows that new mediums, if used effectively, can make for an extremely engaging movie experience.

Movie Review: “Alpha”

“Alpha” is a movie that would slip under the radar of most people, given that there are no real stars and (as far as I know) no major promotion. In fact, I would have missed it if it wasn’t for a recommendation. Good thing I did manage to catch it on the big screen – “Alpha” is a simple survival story which is visually stunning with some gorgeous imagery which deserves to be seen on a big screen.

The plot of “Alpha” is, as I mentioned, very simple – the story is set 20,000 years ago in Europe, where Keda (Kodi Smit-McPhee) almost dies on his first hunting expedition. His tribe, led by his father, leave him for dead when they realize they have no way to save him. Keda, however, manages to recover and circumstances lead him to befriend the leader of a wolf pack, whom he names Alpha. Keda and Alpha must overcome various challenges and brave the elements as they make the long journey back to Keda’s tribe.

Now, the execution of “Alpha” in terms of story and screenplay is pretty straightforward. There are a few good moments, and canine lovers in particular would enjoy the proceedings. While there is no real sense of suspense, there is enough to get the viewers invested in the journey of Keda and Alpha. The bonding between Keda and Alpha is also shown well. The performances are good – kudos to the animal handlers and director, who have got a great performance from the canine.

The USP of this movie is the visuals – the cinematography and direction are top notch here. I saw the movie on an IMAX screen, and am glad that I did. There are scenes that are evocative of other visually brilliant movies like “300”, and the shots are beautifully crafted. A scene where Keda is under ice and Alpha is above is one of the many shots that left an impression on me.

To sum up, I would recommend “Alpha” if you are a viewer who appreciates stunning visuals and the craftsmanship that goes into it, and doesn’t mind going for a narrative that doesn’t offer many surprises. Many viewers may not find it exciting enough to pay for a theatre watch, but no one would deny the fact that it is a cinematic experience that really ups the ante in visual storytelling.

Movie Review: “Mission: Impossible – Fallout”

I think it’s safe to say that the “Mission: Impossible” franchise and its leading man, Tom Cruise, are mutually dependent. Without Tom Cruise and his death-defying stunts, which he does himself a-la Jackie Chan, the franchise would definitely not have the same impact. At the same time, the franchise continues to establish Tom Cruise as a blockbuster star, while many of his other projects have not worked. So, does the latest addition to the franchise continue to cement this relationship as a successful one? Thankfully yes – “Fallout” is one of the best movies in the franchise, and is a perfect example of a summer thrill ride blockbuster.

The plot is nothing more than an excuse to jump from one insane action sequence to the next. That being said, here goes – Ethan Hunt (Cruise) is given a mission to recover nuclear devices before they get into the hands of the Apostles, a terrorist group headed by a mystery man known only as John Lark, who are loyal to Solomon Lane (Sean Harris), the antagonist of the previous movie. After an initial failure, Ethan and his team (Simon Pegg as Benji and Ving Rhames as Luther) must join hands with CIA operative August Walker (Henry Cavill) and go on a globe-trotting mission to recover the devices and save the world. Add into the mix returning characters like MI 6 agent Ilsa Faust (Rebecca Ferguson) and IMF head Alan Hunley (Alec Baldwin), along with new additions like CIA head Erica Sloan (Angela Bassett) and the mysterious White Widow (Vanessa Kirby), and we have the components for a fun, albeit overcrowded ride.

This is probably the first movie in the franchise where you should have watched atleast the last instalment before this to be able to follow the movie, given that there are returning characters whose backstory is important to the proceedings. There are also callbacks to the previous instalments for those who can spot them. But, even if you have not seen any of the previous movies, chances are you will enjoy the ride since it is the breath-taking action sequences that will keep you glued to the edge of your seats. There are a lot of them, each one as exhilarating as the next. Be it grand pieces like the HALO jump, the bike chase in Paris or the climax featuring a helicopter chase in the mountains of New Zealand (standing in for Kashmir); or the more rooted ones like the bathroom fight scene or the foot chase across London’s rooftops, one cannot help but be impressed at the spectacle on offer. I saw the movie in an IMAX screen, and it definitely does add to the impact.

The other actors are more to rally around Cruise, but everyone does their part well. Needless to say though, the star of the show is Tom Cruise, and full credit to him, as he performs each stunt with so much gusto and enthusiasm, it would put much younger actors to shame. His commitment to the scenes is what makes this movie so much fun.

Is “Mission: Impossible – Fallout” too long? Maybe. Is the plot virtually non-existent? Yes. Do some of the action sequences go on for too long? Possibly. But is the movie just a whole lotta fun? Hell yeah!! If you haven’t caught it yet, definitely go ahead and watch it. It is a thrill ride that is sure to entertain. 

Movie Review: “Ant-Man and the Wasp”

One of the biggest successes of the Marvel movies is that the makers seem to think like the audience. So, after the emotionally heavy “Avengers: Infinity War”, it isn’t surprising that the next instalment is a light, breezy, fun caper. “Ant-Man and the Wasp” is a refreshing change, with down to earth stakes and a more personal story.

“Ant-Man and the Wasp” picks up a bit after the events of “Captain America: Civil War”. Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) is under house arrest for helping Captain America during the events of that movie – with only days left for his sentence to get over, he is contacted by Hope van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly) and Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) after he has a vision of Janet van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer), Hope’s mother who was stuck in the quantum realm. Hope and Hank are trying to find a way to get Janet back, but have to deal with the FBI, some black-market dealers and an adversary called Ghost, who can walk through walls. Their efforts to get Janet back forms the plot of the movie.

This movie, like the first Ant-Man movie, works on account of the fun element and the easy charm of its actors. Paul Rudd is as likeable as ever, though it was Evangeline Lilly who was the highlight for me. The interactions between Rudd, Lilly and Michael Douglas provide some of the best moments. But, like the first movie, the scene stealer is Michael Pena – his comic timing is impeccable and the gag where he narrates incidents with the actors acting it out is still comic gold.

The plot can seem a bit muddled with too many players in the mix, but at the heart of it the screenplay is more about the laughs and the action sequences. The size shifting antics are great, and the action sequences deliver enough excitement. The effects team has done a great job here. The relationships are also well etched out here – I thought the interactions between Scott and his daughter Cassie were especially well done.

To sum up, though “Ant-Man and the Wasp” may not be the best in the impressive list of movies in the Marvel cinematic universe, it is still a nice change of pace and probably what the audience needed. It’s a fun time at the movies, and you will leave the theatre with a smile in your face. Definitely worth a watch. (Needless to say by now, but remember to stay till the credits are done.)