Movie review: KAPOOR AND SONS

A Karan Johar enterprise which is everything unlike him and his movies - No larger than life characters, no improbable scenarios, no decorative set-pieces, no needless song-dance sequences. And yet a beautiful and heartfelt demonstration on celluloid which shakes and stirs you along its way.

KAPOOR AND SONS, then is a roller coaster family drama which has more highs and far less lows. Meant to explore the facets of a family bonding, it is surely predictable in its story, but the narrative is novel, enriching and heart touching.

Projecting a Dysfunctional family's modus operandi can be quite a challenge. More often than not their depiction turns bizarre, implausible and unreasonable. 
But this film stands firm and real in its presentation of the family's discourse and conflict, and thankfully doesnt go overboard. At times the conflicts( internal and external) does become overwhelming, but still have an inherent rationality attached to them. 

The clashes, the disputes, the friction and the discord the family is stuck into feels genuine and most importantly feels relatable.
There is depth to each character, and their emotional turbulence never ever feels shallow or superficial. The members are not at each other's throats here, nor shout their lungs out. Subtleness is the order of the day, which brings out the required order from chaos.

There is this natural flair sprinkled around the kapoors, making the proceedings swift and believable. The entire tale of forgiveness and acceptance is both enriching and entertaining.

The cast is in tremendous form, the dialogues apt and the backgroud score is another character. The background music makes your heart feel even more. Absolutely no melodrama and no grand monologues, only a believable ambience all around.

The last half hour or so made me misty eyed and I never felt so soothed before.
Go watch it if you havent.

Movie review : ZOOTOPIA

ZOOTOPIA: The movie about an animal's world mimicking the human existence is by far the smartest animation film made in recent times.
"No matter how evolved we become, deep down we are just animals", vocals a rodent. Apart from being quite funny, the statement also rings just the right bells to our human existence. We being no less animals, and far less human.

I could not help but juxtapose the entire proceedings on celluloid to the current predicaments we live in. Caught amidst the tolerance/intolerance and nationalism /Anti-nationalism debate, the film provides more than a few rational insights. You need not be extreme in your opinions, need not be impulsive and judgemental. You just need to act promptly. Serve and protect rather than rule and bully.

A small town bunny cop embarking on a journey that is laden with all the virtues and vices around him feels absolutely relevant to the times we find ourselves consumed into. Make the world a better place is basically doing your job the way it is ought to be done.

Bunnies are cute and dumb, foxes are sly and wicked and many other prejudices and stereotype tagging are interwoven into this delightfully clever artwork. Being judgmental, sticking on to old-thinking, are all there splendidly executed.

Like all great animation movies, the narrative is brilliantly imaginative, novel and is laden with wit and humor. Most times it is not humor, but a clever insight that makes you invest so much in the movie.

You are going to miss a lot if you miss it. Do watch it. Highly recommended.

Movie review: AIRLIFT

An Indian flag being hoisted anywhere(and especially on foreign soil) is a sight which will always get you misty eyed.The joy and the pride associated with it is beyond any explanation.The feeling of being a part of the Nation and contributing to it in any which form is almost an obligation, and should not merely be an option.

AIRLIFT then, is one such film we can actually be quite proud of. Based on Indians turned refugees in Kuwait due to Iraq and the events leading to their rescue, the movie tells us a tale which stays engaging and gripping till the very end.

Surely it lacks the cerebral approach of an ARGO, but it more than makes up for it by having a big Indian heart.(After all, it is a bollywood enterprise and we, the people are more emotionally driven than cerebral acting.)

Bollywood has had a bad history of projecting real-life incidents on celluloid.
Almost involuntarily, they seem to inject melodrama, too much cinematic liberties and way too many contrivances in their portrayal, thereby diluting and hampering the narrative.
Thankfully, the film stays immune to these aspects and carefully steers away from the sensationalised and overly decorative display.

"Jab chot lagti hai tab Maa hi yaad aati hai", vocals Akshay kumar when questioned about his transformed approach towards the motherland.
No chest thumping, no pompous and no over the top nationalism. Pure and quite natural response to an adverse situation on an alien soil.

The entire tale of the sorry state of Indians in Kuwait is very well-executed.There is genuine concern and a palpable tension laden undertone.The proceedings stay engaging and gripping in the first half and dialogues(though minimal) keep the narrative upbeat.
The transformation of Akshay kumar(from outright rejection of Indian songs and proclaiming himself as a Kuwaitian to developing concern and sticking together as one big Indian family) is beautifully done. In the process, his gradual bonding with his wife too comes off quite natural and heart-warming.

Surely, the approach is more emotionally enriching rather than intelligent, innovative and smart. There is only one real smart scene when Akshay kumar turns Poker face and fools the Iraqi-general. One would have wished more scenes like this. Nonetheless, the poignant drama stays touching all the time gradually consuming us along.You begin to feel and care for the people. ( the biggest triumph of the script)

The only big disappointment lies in the pre-climax when Akshay does a bollywood heroism enroute to Oman. What should have been a real impact scene and could have turned into a clap worthy moment, sadly sticks out like a sore thumb.

Akshay kumar performs brilliantly and bares out his soul in displaying the anguish and helplessness of a man responsible for lakhs of Indians.Truly, a splendid performance.

Barring very few and minor contrivances, the movie stays thoroughly appealing and in the end, gets you all misty eyed, moving and stirring you all along
What a great beginning to 2016.

Do not miss it.

Movie review: WAZIR

Suspense is gold if it builds up gradually and bursts out outwitting you completely.  The entire emotional turbulence of anxiety, anticipation and excitement regarding the outcome of a situation can be quite enticing and satiating.
But the same Suspense can be a terrible disappointment if it becomes predictable from the word go, takes way too many loopholes to pan out and can't surprise you.

WAZIR then, commits the same old sin of being way too predictable for a suspense drama and way too leisurely for an edge-of-the-seat thriller. It suffers on account of an incompetent script and a genuine lack of substance.

The film begins promisingly with the two lead protagonists, suffering from grief and guilt (of losing their children), uniting and bonding over the game of chess.
Both Mr.Bachhan and Farhan in terrific form and their moods in perfect sync.Add to this, Mr.Bachhan vocalling some of the film's best lines with so much finesse(the way only he can) makes you invest in the narrative and even condone the leisurely pace.
But all this eventually is a recipe on the lines of 'flattering to decieve'. Game of chess against the game of life, the pawn against the king, all the style and swag-All this buildup for nothing.

Given the predicaments of both the leads, our sympathies for both, not for once surfaces. Blame it on the poorly sketched out characters or a weak script, the emotions of grief stricken parents does not find a way in our hearts.
All this could have easily been swept under the carpet if the thriller element had been up to the mark. One could easily miss the flaws and shortcomings if the pace is healthy and the proceedings have the required urgency. But sadly, the unravelling of the plot happens without any major twists or turns taking away any intrigue left whatsoever. The latter half of the film merely becomes a routine revenge drama.

The big final revelation could be seen from miles away. Nothing startling and nothing surprising. To make it even worse, the director spoon-feeds us the entire details as if we hadn't any clue. High time the filmmakers start trusting the audience's intelligence.

In the end, what should have been a well made noir cum suspense drama turns out low on substance and even low on intelligence.

Give it a miss.

Movie review: TAMAASHA

An Imtiaz Ali film warrants a watch. His storytelling and narrative has always been novel and many a times quite non-obvious
And when he teams with AR Rahman, Ranbir and Deepika, even at worse,it would still be a decent watch.
TAMAASHA then, is a fairly inconsistent film which with all its blemishes deserves to be seen. It might be unfulfilling, unsatisfactory and even drives home the same Imtiaz Ali message, yet it is not at all disappointing.
With its heart at the right place, one is more than willing to condone the irregular beats.

Rat-race can take a man from you, transform you into a machine and gradually drain you off emotionally. The materialistic need overpowering the elemental emotions.
Also,True love can show you your true self. Running away from the daily chores actually brings you closer to your self.
These messages formed the backbone of earlier Imtiaz's films and this movie too works on the same tangent.

There is a lot to like here if you are willing to invest yourself in the narrative. The crackling chemistry between the leads, brilliant music, and the genius of Imtiaz Ali on quite a handful of scenes.
The scene in which Ranbir and Deepika split, the scene in which Deepika persuades Ranbir to take her back, Ranbir's outburst in front of his Dad and many more emotionally move you. There are inventive presentations and some penetrating predicaments striking our hearts. The turbulence in Ranbir's life feels genuine, and his trauma feels relatable. His outbursts though feels contrived and uneven.

Ofcourse, the film suffers from a lot of self-indulgence and redundancy. The messages too,though well intended, are too many and poorly communicated. The predicaments of the protagonists lack the depth and on a few occasions even come across juvenile.

The performances as expected are powerful.Though Ranbir does a brilliant job, it is Deepika who steals the show with her big expressive eyes and an emotionally enriched performance.Many scenes work solely because of the maturity the lead pair brings to them.

Far from being thoroughly engaging and insightful, the movie sure has a large chunk which can be appreciated.

Do watch it.

Movie review :SPECTRE

Movie review: SPECTRE
There is one thing common between Salman khan in bollywood and JAMES BOND in Hollywood. Both are greater than their respective films. Their brand and reputation is larger than the movies they are a part of. Sadly though, On almost all occasions their movies are mediocre, hardly offer any novelty, are repetitive and so very predictable.

The new bond film: SPECTRE is not only predictable, it is dull and a big bore.
Gone are the days when spectacular locations around the world and a scintillating background worked for the BOND FLICK. The Bourne series and MI series provide all this accompanied by edge of the seat thrill.

Sadly here, there is no thrill, no nail biting narrative and absolutely no depth.
I am among the very rare breeds who are not fond of BOND films. They fail to excite me purely because the spy has it very easy. Troubled waters, but he rarely breaks a sweat and an edge of the seat Action thriller we are talking about.

The demeanour of BOND is the sole thing I love. His tuxedo is something to die for. But that is not enough to make your 200 bucks worth.

The BOND movies were never known for their emotional depth and we are perfectly fine with it. But the flamboyance is missing, the urgency is lacking and the coolness is a thing of the past.
No suspense whatsoever and even the Villainy is disappointing.

All in all, it is a below average film. Avoid it.

Movie review : PREM RATAN DHAN PAYO

Movie review: PREM RATAN DHAN PAYO

A Sanjay leela Bhansali wannabe that is old-fashioned, overly simplistic and too melodramatic.
Save for the last 20 odd minutes which has the signature Suraj barjatiya touch, most part of the movie (though pleasing to the eyes) is quite bad to your senses.

The Prince, with the swagger and style has the riches and the Pauper, with the heart and soul, has love to offer.
The message too is well intended: Family and love transcending every hatred.
But alas, all this thwarted by superficial writing and infantile treatment.

The problems are a plenty here.
The first half is a drag. Meant to be light and breezy, it turns out to be neither. Too many songs(none a chart buster or melodious), sporadic scenes, pedestrian comedy never giving the movie any steam to gather. The entire RAJGHARANA feels superficial and the characters mere caricatures. Visually stunning sets, brilliantly choreographed and shot song-dance sequences all ending up futile. The family clashes are way too shallow, the empathy and sympathy too naive and the screenplay weightless and cosmetic.

The second half too feels stretched and bogged down by lack of emotional depth.
The reunion of family members doesn't give you any high, the scenes failing to escalate any sentiments. Bits and pieces genius of Barjatiya gets diluted by the entire superficial ambience.

To make matters worse, the casting is horribly wrong. Sonam kapoor, Neil nitin Mukesh are the worst possible actors to play these roles. The brilliant Deepak Dobriyal and Sanjay Mishra have no meat whatsoever in their roles. Anupam kher is left stranded (quite literally too) in this overbearing franchise.

Eventually as in most his films, it boils down to Salman Khan to save the day. He is earnest, looks a billion bucks and offer some relief in this overdrawn and tedious watch. I could sit the entire length just because of him.

But here is the catch. After all this overbearing and over enduring proceeding, the final 20 minutes might just suddenly transform your thoughts. Strangely, you might ignore and forget everything and feel good about the movie. Why? Because it made you cry, gave you lumps in your throat.
If that is all what you are looking for ( and Salman khan ) give it a watch.
Otherwise, Stay away.