'Logan' Movie Review

To call ‘Logan’ a superhero movie would be misleading and, in a way, disrespectful. The movie generated a lot of hype – the key reason being that Hugh Jackman has decided to hang his claws, so to speak, and he was very insistent that the movie be just right. So there were a lot of expectations. And oh boy, did they get it right! More akin to a gritty western style action movie than the spectacle based CGI fuelled jam-packed action rides we are used to; the makers defy genre trappings (more than even ‘The Dark Knight’ and ‘Deadpool’ did) and give us a bold, mature movie with genuine heart.

The movie is set in the not too distant future (2029, if I remember correctly); and seems pretty bleak. Most of the mutants are gone, following some sort of incident. Logan has aged significantly and his healing powers are not as potent as they used to be – he is hurting both physically and emotionally. He is a heavy drinker and drives a limo to make ends meet and take care of a deteriorated Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart), who is now suffering from a brain condition which results in seizures that affect everyone around him. The plot kicks into high gear when Laura, a young mutant who is being chased by an evil corporation and its mercenaries joins them, and they have to get her to safety.

There are just so many positives here – everything from the tone, to the directing, to the acting. Credit to James Mangold, who has directed and also written the story, for not succumbing to standard comic book movie trappings. The acting is brilliant – Patrick Stewart is in fine form, and Dafne Keen playing Laura is an exciting find who could be one to watch out for. But of course, it’s Hugh Jackman’s show – and he shows just how invested he is in the movie by delivering a nuanced and layered performance that is the highlight of a movie that has so many things going for it.

Logan definitely justifies its ‘R’ rating (‘A’ in India) – this one is not for the kids. It is the most violent X-Men movie by far – the action is brutal, savage and raw; which is appropriate given the protagonist. Rather than focusing on gratuitous violence, the makers use the freedom of the ‘R’ rating to explore mature themes of isolation, loss, family, sacrifice and living with one’s actions – all of which, despite the focus on character building and relations, seems appropriate for Wolverine.

In fact, the main reason the movie works so well is that it feels like the perfect Wolverine movie – after the first two movies which were far from perfect, the quintessential anti-hero gets the movie that truly represents him. Yes, the movie is long and, at times, slow. But it works, and delivers a swan song that is damn near perfect. It is a satisfactory conclusion for one of the most successful franchises. Just go watch it! Even if you aren’t a big fan of the franchise, you can’t help but leave the theatre with a sense of closure. 

"John Wick: Chapter 2" Movie Review

It would come as no surprise that if you didn’t like the first John Wick movie, chances are you won’t like ‘John Wick: Chapter 2’. However, for fans of the first part, it will come as a pleasant surprise that the second instalment not only lives up to expectations, but ups the ante and delivers a high octane thrill ride that surpasses its predecessor.

I’ll try not to give too much away. The movie kicks off right after the first one ends. John Wick is contacted by a former associate to honour an agreement he had made to get out of the assassin business. Trouble ensues once John, who initially refuses, reluctantly takes up the job. Not long after, there is a contract on him and all of the other assassins are after his life. So it’s up to John to use all his gun-fu expertise to survive and exact vengeance on the villains.

The best thing about John Wick: Chapter 2 is that it takes the formula that works and revs it up. There’s no attempt to overhaul the vehicle – instead the movie just take the action to the next level, and also corrects some of the flaws its predecessor had. The world the movie is set in is more fleshed out – and though some parts are a little silly, it adds to the charm of the whole thing.

There is not much in terms of plot here, but you’re too busy having a good time to notice. The fight choreography is innovative and very well executed (special mention for the portion where John is being targeted by a lot of people, there is some shooting in public but not the kind you’d expect, and a pencil comes in handy). The light touches of humour that worked so well in the first movie are here as well. And certain moments like the meeting of Laurence Fishburne and Keanu Reeves feels like fan service for Matrix buffs.

A word of mention for Keanu Reeves, who is pretty much there in every scene of the movie. His commitment to the film is exceptional, and he also manages to stay to the character by adding depth and vulnerability, and not just the physical exertions the role requires.

I would highly recommend ‘John Wick: Chapter 2’. Even though it is a sequel, the movie feels fresh and exciting. Action fans will love it. If you were in any doubt; yeah, he’s back!

“Arrival” Movie Review

I have been eagerly awaiting the release of “Arrival” for a while now, and the reason for that is Denis Villeneuve. Though I have only seen “Prisoners” and “Sicario” (which features one of the most suspenseful scenes I have seen in recent cinema), both movies are ample proof of Villeneuve’s mastery over his craft. And he does not disappoint with “Arrival”, which is arguably his most accomplished work yet. He manages to deliver a brilliant sci-fi movie experience, which doesn’t need mind numbing CGI and explosions to work – the movie challenges the audience’s intelligence rather than insulting it.

When alien spaceships arrive in twelve different locations around the world, one among them being Montana, the military commissions a team led by theoretical physicist Dr Ian Donnelly (Jeremy Renner) and expert linguist Dr Louise Banks to establish communication with the aliens and find out why they are here. The movie focuses on the efforts of Dr Louise and the team to find a way to communicate with the aliens and understand if they are peaceful or dangerous, even as the world looks at the situation with suspicion and hostility and tensions are high leading to civil unrest.

Despite its unhurried pace, “Arrival” never feels boring – I was completely engrossed in the proceedings from the get go. This is primarily because Villeneuve is so good with atmospherics, something he demonstrated in both “Prisoners” and “Sicario”. He creates a moody yet tense atmosphere, which complements the script and screenplay. In fact, I was so caught up in the movie that I was on the edge of the seat for pretty much the entire duration; despite the treatment being deliberate and detailed (I wouldn’t say slow). Special mention to the background score by Johann Johannsson, which plays a large part in asserting the tense mood (I was reminded of Sicario’s background score “The Beast”, which was also composed by him). I was also particularly impressed by the details in even some of the dialogues in the movie, which make so much sense once the story reaches its conclusion. I was not fully convinced with the editing, but it makes sense by the time the credits roll.

Like “Sicario”, the movie has a female protagonist whose character is very well fleshed out and has the viewer invested in her story. And like Emily Blunt, Amy Adams does full justice to the part. She delivers a deeply affecting performance, and really brings out the emotional aspect of this movie. She pretty much carries the movie, but is ably supported by the remaining cast.

After watching the movie, I found that it shared a lot of positives with Christopher Nolan’s “Interstellar”. Though hardly similar, both movies are sci-fi at its best, where the focus is not on dazzling effects but in the story and the heady themes and concepts it covers – but the visuals are also done well to give the viewer a sense of awe. Both movies also get the viewers talking and discussing the movie after watching it. But, more importantly; at the core, both are deeply emotional movies. And this works to the advantage of both movies.

For fans of intelligent cinema and/or sci-fi fans, “Arrival” is a must watch – this one may even end up becoming a sci-fi classic. Don’t miss it.

P.S. I’d love to discuss the movie and its themes (and especially the ending) with those who have seen it, so hit me up once you catch the movie. 

“Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them” Movie Review

Potheads of the world, rejoice (that is what Harry Potter fans are called, isn’t it? J). With Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them, the rich mythology of the series is tapped into to deliver a movie that lets the viewers relive the magic of the Harry Potter series, yet still manages to feel original and not a lazy exercise to print money.

The plot of the movie is quite complex – Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) is a wizard from London who arrives to New York City with a suitcase full of magical creatures, at a time when the wizard world is facing the threat of exposure and facing a lot of negative propaganda. Trouble ensues when the suitcase opens and the creatures are let loose into the city. Newt has to rescue these creatures with the help of a hapless No-Maj (muggle) Jacob Kowalski (a brilliant Dan Fogler), a witch FBI-ish agent Tina Goldstein (Katherine Waterson) and her sister Queenie (Alison Sudol). In the middle of all of this is the mysterious Percival Graves (Colin Farrell), who seems to have a hidden agenda.

The movie touches upon themes that feel especially relevant to today’s day and age; but still manages to keep a tone that is light and breezy. It moves at breakneck speed, and there’s hardly a dull moment in its runtime. J.K. Rowling’s writing is jam packed with content, and there is honestly a lot to process here. 

This, funnily enough, is also the problem with the movie. There is so much happening with the characters in the movie that there is hardly any screen time for the titular fantastic beasts. This feeling is accentuated because the scenes with the creatures are beautifully executed – the scene where Newt and Kowalski visit the creatures for the first time in particular gives the viewer a feeling of childlike wonder and awe – it helps that it is visually stunning and the 3D is amazing. It actually made me wish there was a little less plot and more time spent on such scenes.  

The acting is really good, but none of the characters are really endearing and leave an impression – with the exception of Jacob Kowalski. You’re invested in the character from the first scene he is introduced, thanks in no small part to the portrayal by Dan Fogler. The major disappointment was the woefully underwritten character of Percival Graves.

On the whole, of course, the movie has a lot going for it – the box office numbers speak for itself. There’s lots on offer here, thanks to the strong script and excellent execution helmed by David Yates, no stranger to the Potter franchise. But, all things aside, the movie definitely entertains, and is a good movie experience for Potheads and non-fans alike. The commendable thing here is that the movie is able to stand on its own two feet and the promise of a successful new franchise is there. This is a great example of a spinoff done right. 

"Doctor Strange" Movie Review

Even the most ardent fan of DC Comics will have to admit that Marvel is doing a great job with the movie adaptation of its comics. They are able to translate their comics to the big screen in a seamless fashion, satisfying both regular movie goers and comic book enthusiasts. And their perfect casting is almost uncanny. What is even more interesting now is that they have started breaking (or atleast bending) the unwritten rules by bringing in game changers like the R-rated Deadpool and now Doctor Strange. By bringing in the occult aspect to what has essentially been a ‘grounded in reality’ world of superheroes, Marvel has opened up a world of possibilities and delivered a truly fresh (and trippy) cinematic experience. Watch out DC – I don’t think your current by-the-book approach is going to cut it.

Like every other superhero, Doctor Strange’s first movie deals with his origin story. Brilliant but arrogant neurosurgeon Dr. Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) loses the use of his hands after a car accident (never use the phone while driving – worth appreciating that Marvel even puts it in their end credits). Unable to find a cure in Western medicine, he travels to Nepal on hearing about Kamar-Taj – a mysterious enclave where he meets a group of sorcerers led by the enigmatic ‘Ancient One’ (Tilda Swinton, another perfect casting). What follows is Strange’s education of the mystic arts, and his reluctant journey to become a protector of the world.

Marvel does a by-the-numbers origin story for Doctor Strange as well, but what is exciting and refreshing is that the studio has embraced the mumbo-jumbo aspects of the source material rather than shying away from it – this results in some very ambitious and visually stunning scenes, which felt like Inception on LSD. The sheer spectacle of it makes for a truly special cinematic experience, something that has been lacking in other movies in the MCU.

The movie also benefits from Marvel’s irreverent attitude and tongue-in-cheek humour, and the movie is peppered with witty one-liners and even some laugh out loud moments. The movie continues the tradition of not taking itself too seriously, and really benefits from it. Add to that the cast who fit their roles perfectly, and you have another winner.

But the movie isn’t without its flaws – most of the characters aren’t well fleshed out, and this is most evident in the main antagonist. Barring Loki, Marvel has not been able to produce a villain who can leave an impact. Also, a lot of the movie’s highlights come from the fact that it is different in its source material, opening up new opportunities – we will have to see how they can keep it going for the sequel once the novelty is gone. In fact, given that he will be in Avengers – Infinity War, it’ll be interesting to see the character dynamics in play.

That being said, this is a definite winner for Marvel – I would go so far as to say that it is probably another defining moment in superhero movies. Definitely watch this one in the theatre (something I wouldn’t have said for any other Marvel movie). In fact, I’m waiting for the movie to come back in I‑Max to experience the brilliant action scenes. 

“Don’t Breathe” movie review

It’s very exciting to see a movie with a simple plot that works amazingly well because it executes its premise so well, extracting every bit of possibility from the story. “Don’t Breathe” is a great example of such a movie. Everything works here to ensure that you’re literally holding your breath for the most part of the movie.

Three thieves decide to rob an old, blind war veteran living alone in a remote part of town. But it doesn’t turn out to be the walk in the park they expected, as the old man is dangerous and quickly turns the tables on the intruders. What follows is a tense cat and mouse game which refuses to let up. Nothing is what it seems, and there are enough twists and turns here to keep you at the edge of your seat. To give away anything more would be a crime.

The movie gets into the thick of things from the get-go, and doesn’t let up for the entire duration. The screenplay does a good job of building up tension and giving enough shocks and twists to keep the viewers engaged. Despite not spending much time on character development, each character’s personalities and motivations come through as the events unfold.

The major strength of the movie is how it shocks the viewer into paying attention, and quickly gets them invested in the movie’s proceedings. The fact that it doesn’t let up and continues to build tension for pretty much the entire movie (maybe just a little bit towards the end, but I’m nitpicking here) is another key USP. It’s refreshing to see a good suspenseful movie that doesn’t have to rely to gimmicks to make things work, but instead makes simplicity its most potent weapon.

Fede Alvarez is definitely announcing himself as a very capable horror/thriller writer and director. Backed by some able performances and a good crew, he delivers a winner here. Definitely one of the picks for this year – don’t miss it.

“Pete’s Dragon” movie review

Disney’s recent wave of making live action versions of many of its animated classics seems to be working well for them – the brilliant “The Jungle Book” was a highlight of this year. And now they seem to have another success with “Pete’s Dragon” which, though not as dazzling as “The Jungle Book”, hits the right note.

A young Pete is traveling with his parents when they have an accident – his parents die as the vehicle they’re in crashes in the jungle and Pete is protected by a dragon who is hiding there. Six years later, Pete (Oakes Fegley) and the dragon (whom he has named Elliott) are inseparable. When a lumberjack crew start cutting down their forest, Pete befriends Natalie (Oona Laurence), who is the foreman’s daughter; and is taken to the city by a kind ranger Grace (Bryce Dallas Howard). Trouble ensues when Gavin (Karl Urban), a member of the crew, spots Elliott. As Pete connects with the family that has taken him, Gavin and his crew are trying to capture Elliott.

The main positive of Pete’s Dragon is the simplicity of its story telling. At a time when CGI is overused and movies are filled with excessive visuals and action sequences that assault and overload our senses, it’s a refreshing change of pace for a movie to focus on the story and relationships and let the showy CGI take a backseat. The movie is almost serene in its pacing. The relationship between Pete and Elliott, and the subsequent relationships between the human characters, is developed nicely. It also helps that there are some very capable actors who deliver solid, understated performances.

That isn’t to say that the CGI and special effects are unimpressive. The choice to have the dragon more like a puppy than as the vicious looking creatures we have come to expect after being exposed to Smaug and the dragons from “Game of Thrones” is actually a very bold one, and it works well. The action scenes towards the end of the movie are also done well.

The movie touches upon themes like friendship, family, the importance of believing, and even topics like deforestation, animal endangerment and how our prejudices make us do the wrong things. But ultimately, it’s about the warm fuzzy feeling you get when you watch a movie that just makes you smile. The movie may not be for everyone – though the kids will love it, many adults are sure to get impatient watching it. For me though, the movie works. After a long day, this is just the kind of movie to soothe your nerves – and that is a win for me.