Movie Review: Kingsman: The Secret Service..pretty much a royal disappointment

Pop quiz time again. Did you like Wanted? (The Bollywoodish Hollywood mindless action bonanza) Did you like Hot Fuzz (The senseless parody of many films). If the answer to the above two questions is yes – then rest assured you will like Kingsman..even though I am about to tear it apart in the rest of this review

Matthew Vaughn – I have a lot of respect for this director since he made X-Men First Class. While I had gone with low expectations, he had dazzled me with his grasp of the content, the strong emotional bond he was able to build and the exhilarating action in a thrilling climax made for repeat viewings. I knew Kingsman..would be quite different. The trailers scared me quite a bit – giving away much of what to expect and I didn’t like what I saw. Yet, I gave Vaughn the benefit of the doubt and still went for it..I shouldn’t have

The only way I can make sense of what happened in the 2 hours 10 minutes that this movie swung like a pendulum from the crackling and witty to the insanely cheesy and inane, time and again, is that Mr. Vaughn or his scriptwriter – more specifically, was writing two scripts – one that was serious, had a lot of depth, built connect with its audience and emotionally drew them and the other, which would just be weird, cheesy, irreverent fun and parody/ pay homage (take your pick) to James Bond, Star Wars, Quentin Tarantino’s blood lust and a host of others. Finally, he decided to just merge the two and hoped that the audience could make any sense of it

Kingsman starts off promising. Despite the hugely familiar premise, with some good dialogues, well-edited action sequences and well-aimed potshots at popular action franchises, Kingsman assures that its not gonna be ‘just another movie’. For the most part, that turns out to be true but unfortunately, not in a good way.

There are moments in Kingsman..that take your breath away. Moments..where you get flashbacks of First Class and its quality..certain sequences wonderfully executed, others that bring out some emotion..but as soon as you begin to hope…it all comes crashing down in another medley of inane action or childish dialogue. Another issue is that the movie rushes through too much, too intent to show all that it wants to, at the expense of building any connect with its protagonists. I think editing could’ve made a key difference in this one.

If you must watch this movie, and I’d push you hard not to, but if you must- watch it for Colin Firth. The man is a revelation in his unique avatar and takes to it with an ease that showcases his versatility as an actor. Samuel L Jacksons lisps to near perfection, but given the kind of role he has, he needed a much stronger character. The other kid on the block, Taron Egerton has an accent that’s hard to follow, but otherwise does a good job.

As the movie built up, I was wondering if a Kingsman 2 ought to be in the offing. Once it concluded though, even the post credits scene made me impatient. Matthew Vaughn has shown us he can do much better. Let’s hope the next one picks up from First Class rather than Kingsman

Movie Review: Badlapur..a dream start but not a great journey

Badlapur could’ve been a landmark movie. The first 15 minutes quite rightly emphasised as critical, certainly showed the potential. Yes, the first 15 minutes are critical and no, you cannot afford to miss them. However, its not so much that you won’t be able to understand what follows if you don’t. While they certainly prop the remainder of the story, a more pressing reason to not miss the first 15 minutes is that they are amongst the most shining moments of the film. I don’t think anybody else, could’ve done better with those scenes, either within Bollywood or outside it

Unfortunately, after that – everybody seems lost. ’Badlapur is said to have a brilliant plot. I think a key problem is that the plot, as a whole, is anything but brilliant. In parts, it glitters and has its moments but as an overall package – it seems terribly contrived and doesn’t deliver the goods.

Badlapur is certainly bold – both literally and figuratively. It’s a big change from a standard revenge saga and for the most part, the change is for the better. It breaks new ground in some aspects but offers some unexpected unsavory scenes as well. This movie is certainly not at all for kids, so make sure its an adults only audience if you end up watching this one

While Varun Dhawan really lifts his game and delivers a fine performance for his limited experience, one wonders if this movie could’ve been a little better if a more veteran actor had taken on this role. While he looks the part, most of the time, his voice lacks the edge it should and his crazed look lacks conviction. Nawazuddin Siddique on the other hand, delivers a convincing performance. That said, a lot of the blame should actually go to the characters themselves – while a lot of time is spent on them – its hard to understand them or connect with them – even towards the end of the movie. A word for Radhika Apte who plays her unique role quite convincingly and makes her presence felt. Huma Qureshi also does justice to her role. Yami Gautam looks pretty as a picture but doesn't get much in the way of dialogues.

Sriram Raghavan is an exciting director. He treads off the beaten path and has a few smart tricks up his sleeve in all his movies. While the first 15 minutes (and maybe a few glimpses post that) stamp his authority, Badlapur sorely misses the tight packaging of an Ek Hasina Thi or a Johnny Gaddaar

While there is only a fleeting reference to trains in the movie, this sums up the experience of  Badlapur - The journey to Badlapur starts smooth as silk, then encounters a few rough spots here and there. The train itself slows down, taking in vast expanses of empty space. Then it enters a few dark tunnels that end up being dead ends. However, because the driver and its passengers are particularly keen on having us on board we still go along for the ride.. If only the ride could’ve been shorter with a great destination in mind, the journey would’ve truly been memorable

Movie Review: Shamitabh…doesn't shine despite its lead 'mixture'

Shamitabh managed the near perfect ‘mixture’ – you can’t ask for a more compelling combination than the legendary Amitabh Bachan and Dhanush (if you still haven’t seen Raanjhanaa, you have to watch it). Given the unique, albeit extremely unlikely premise, the plotline is based on, you couldn’t have give them better roles either. All they needed now to create their magic was a strong, taut and well written script. And that’s what causes this particular house of dream cards to topple down to its very foundations

Things are merely setting up in practically the entire first half. The combination of Shamitabh is quite unsettling as the movie starts and you don’t quite connect. How the combination of Shamitabh comes to be is even more of a disconnect. However, you are willing to take that leap of faith in exchange for some crackling dialogue, witty exchanges and a compelling plotline with well realized characters. While it manages some gems, here and there – the whisky and water (though it gets over-used) and ‘Shamitabh main bhi hoon’ examples being particularly pithy, the writing isn’t all that great. To make matters worse there are large spaces of nothingness every now and then. While these may underscore the performance and showcase the repertoire of the stalwart actors (primarily Bachan), they do nothing to give direction and meaning to the story and simply add to the over-extended run-time. Add to that more than its share of product placements and ‘piddly’ songs – it doesn’t make for a pretty picture or even ‘mixture’

The unique relationship between Amitabh and Dhanush is what could have really set this one up – with both having deeply etched out, complex characters and their bond undergoing its own transition. Unfortunately, as it plays out, you don’t end up warming to either of the two. Most of the time you are just confused about their behaviors, motivations and values as well as their relationship.

The only reason why Shamitabh works somewhat is because its lead ‘mixture’ is perfectly in sync and on top of their performance. While by no means equal to the stupendous presence and baritone of Big B, Dhanush maintains his own and portrays perfect expression especially in the first half. If he seems a stereotypical or lesser performer in the second half, more blame goes to his badly developed character than his performance. The Big B and his baritone are absolute winners but the director focuses on them so much that it loses its charm. The third musketeer in this  story is played by debutante Akshara Haasan who while she tries, is simply given a character that is beyond her limited range just yet. With a monotone dialogue delivery and singular expresion regardless of the context, she is not able to do justice to her small but critical role

Shamitabh had every opportunity to shine. It was the perfect recipe that could have scripted a story of two iconic characters performed by two stalwart actors. As it stands though, Shamitabh is long drawn, confused and finally disappointing, despite an uplifting performance by its leads.

Movie Review: Birdman..takes flight in a metaphorical universe

 
There are some movies that you simply ‘don’t get’ – either the director is too confused about what he wants to showcase and points a finger in all possible directions, or the message itself is heavily cloaked – you have to unravel the layers, listen to the unspoken to get at the root of what the movie is trying to convey. While in some scenes you may think it’s the former, its mostly the latter reason that majority of us (self included) may not completely ‘get’ Birdman

Is it a parody? Is it trying to portray a journey through self reflection? Is it pointing a finger at its audience or is it actually ‘sticking it’ to Hollywood itself? There’s no straight answer, and its best not to look for one. This is clearly not a movie for one and all. Certainly not for those who think this is the next in a long line of superhero movies that have become all the rage these days. By the way, Birdman, also has an alternate title – The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance. Honestly, even if you cut through it all, you definitely don’t ‘get’ how this title figures in the potpourri of portrayals that is Birdman

What you do ‘get’ loud and clear though is the high quality performances. Michael Keating has a tough role to pull with a very complex character to portray, many shades of whom are not clear even as you exit the theater post the movie, but he does so with panache. Emma Stone delivers one monologue which stamps her authority so well, you look forward to more of her in the remainder of the movie. But it is Edward Norton, who has the real screen presence, even though his character has probably half the screen-time as that of the protagonist. He slips into his character with a quiet ease and despite such stellar performances by his rather accomplished peers, he manages to steal the show. Oh, and there’s also Zach Galifianakis who is nothing like his comedic avatars thus far

If you would let it, there are many things that would puzzle you about Birdman once you leave the theaters. Unfortunately, the particular style of movie making it adopts, isn’t favourable to too many repeat viewings. The pacing of the movie is slow. Despite the energetic jazz drumbeats throughout its runtime, it’ll take an effort for you to stay interested. So you are just gonna have to do with whatever you do take away from it.

Don’t get misled by the rave reviews. For those who can appreciate it, this movie might well blow them away. For most others though, its not going to ‘fly’ – quite literally. 

Movie Review: The Imitation Game…well played

A rather humble looking title for a movie that celebrates a humongous yet sadly little known achievement. This ‘Well Played’ is not so much for the movie but its for the life of the person it takes us through. Yes, well played Sir Alan Turing (I don’t care if he wasn’t really  knighted, what he did provided every reason for him to be. In fact, the very device I am typing..but I get ahead of myself…). Well Played, indeed.

The question is not so much whether you should go for this movie since this is about the life and achievements of a genius everyone ought to know about but more, whether you should go for the movie for how the central character has been portrayed, the performances, the story development, the visuals and the answer in each of those departments is also a resounding yes.

While a biopic, there is a sense of intrigue built right from the opening scene, in fact the opening narrative itself –  which I thought was very smartly done. The movie scarcely loses your interest, though the constant flitting between past and present can be a little disconcerting. Some scenes, in particular could’ve been done with a better context and presentation, but these are minor niggles in what is otherwise a remarkable story that is extremely well told.

Benedict Cumberbatch is in familiar territory with the British accent and the reclusive character he plays but he does so with an ease few others would exhibit. What works in his favor is also that while a complex character, the protagonist scarcely displays more than the minimal range of emotions – not unlike his Sherlock avatar. Keira Knightley is also in her comfort zone with a character that doesn’t have a lot of complexity either but goes further to bring a natural warmth to her character. All others perform their side roles ably well.

However, more than the performances, it’s the story itself that is the real hero in this offering. A story of a highly significant achievement, the tremendous burden it bore and the treatment of its protagonist - one that by the end will have moved you enough to moisten your eyes or maybe even scream and shout. From a simple story of the life and times of Sir Alan Turing, emerges what ought to be known and more importantly, highly respected.

Thank you for making The Imitation Game and making this highly deserving story available to one and all. Now you need to do yourself a favour and go watch it. Oh, and a word to the wise..don’t watch the trailer…it gives away practically everything

Movie Review: Ugly…50 shades of black!!

In my customary style of using a direct connection to the movie title, to write my review title I was originally considering to title this one as Ugly..doesn't paint a ‘pretty’ picture. Story and plot wise, it would certainly portray the reality. However, purely from a film making perspective, that would be far from the truth.

In the world of Anurag Kashyap, people are hopeless – they have already condemned themselves to hell and are living that hell each day. While most film makers try to uplift their audience even when they tell a story with grey characters by providing the protagonist with some hope, courage and opportunity to rise against the odds, Kashyap indulges in his fantasy nightmare that simply gets darker with every passing sequence till finally, you can’t see – its all black and the darkest shade of it at at that. He gleefully smothers out the last spark of hope that might have been ignited had anyone shown the slightest bit of respite, compassion or even consideration.

Despite not taking a step wrong in the actual movie making - complete with a long conversation between a police in-charge and one of the central characters that displays a grim reality with dark humor, barely present songs that progress, not hinder the narrative and the usual Anurag Kashyap touches with random psychedelic music intact, this particular narrative becomes so soul sucking by the end of it all, that it doesn’t leave a nice feeling. This is especially on display in one hellish scene – which could as easily have been implied than shown in its truly ‘ugly’ form

Performances wise, there is hardly a glittering star cast with Ronit Roy being the most recognizable actor of the lot, but true to the Anurag Kashyap brigade of the past, they all come to the party with solid performances. Vineet Singh and Girish Kulkarni do a brilliant job (I wish Girish’s character’s dialogues had subtitles since a lot of them were in Marathi). Rahul Bhat also does justice to his role though his performance is a little wooden in comparison. Tejaswini Kohlapuri and Surveen Chawla both look dull and worn out but then that’s what the script demanded.  Ronit Roy shows a restraint that he earlier showcased only in Udaan though struggles in scenes of high strung emotion.

While it baffled when it was first revealed – Ugly is a near-perfect title for this movie. The world doesn’t get uglier and murkier than the one that Kashyap showcases, with each character blacker than the other and a situation and progression that is not just unsettling but downright choking and unrelenting – If that’s not ugly enough, I shudder to think what is. Think before you watch this one, its certainly not for everyone

Movie Review: PK..the best you’ll see this year

2014 hasn’t been a generous year for those of us who crave genuinely good cinema. In this respect, calling PK the best this year may not seem as the great compliment it would otherwise be. The good news however, is that this movie would have been amongst the best any year. Its just that given the dismal offerings this year, it’s the best watch by far.

Its all good - Rajkumar Hirani re-affirms our belief in him as a master storyteller and writer. One of the few, if not the only one, who has managed to maintain his consistent high standards. Aamir Khan proves that Dhoom 3 was a mere aberration. His quality stamp is still as high as ever – it only needed the right canvas. If a certain other film that played quite heavily on a similar theme had not been made recently, the kudos for PK might well have doubled. However, if I were to compare, this one considers the debate from a far more positive and mature perspective

There is simply an innocence to the script – a child-like quality to its characters that is conveyed in as many words towards the latter half of the movie. But even if it wasn’t specifically told to us, the effect is felt just as much. Especially in the first half, Rajkumar Hirani does such a good job, that It makes one wish that even they could tell such stories – so much simplicity and innocence and yet delivered with such panache. While it doesn’t start with a great bang, post PK’s entry the movie grabs your attention with renewed vigor.

The second half doesn’t delight as much, though it is by no means any sort of a drag. Rajkumar Hirani again achieves the feat of taking you from laughing till your sides hurt to have tears welling up in the eyes as the movie progresses which itself says a lot. Some scenes teeter dangerously close to the edge of falling into the stereotypical or cheesy mould but are saved by a cut just at the right time – thank goodness for that.

As for the songs – while some are melodious most are unnecessary interruptions to the unfolding story.  So interesting are PK, his thoughts, his dialogues, his actions that they are the only things you want the movie to focus on and nothing else.

Aamir Khan and PK are the life-blood of this well written story. The master performer is at his vintage best doing complete justice to a character that would have not been easy to slip into the shoes of. There is so much that I can talk about his character and dialogues but anything I say will dampen your fun at least somewhat, so I’ll refrain. Anushka Sharma yet again has her familiar ‘independent, modern girl’ role and she’s probably most comfortable in it so she pulls it off convincingly

Christmas has arrived in style. While there’s nothing remotely resembling Christmas in PK, it does give every reason to celebrate. After all the hype and expectations, PK delivers and is the best reason to be in a cinema hall not just this week, but for all of 2014 – don’t miss it.