Finding Dory Review

Finding Dory is the sequel to the landmark animated movie Finding Nemo, which is one of the best animated movies to be released post 2000. Due to this there were huge anticipations from the movie before its release.

Finding Nemo is still remembered because of its unforgettable characters. Finding Dory takes advantage of the same three lovable characters of Marlin, Nemo and Dory. However the other characters are not so well developed and they do not seem to add on to the Finding Nemo universe. This is one of the weaknesses of the movie which bears heavily on the movie. However the movie has a good story and the same kind of funny moments like the first part which works well for the movie. With the same premise of finding someone, the sequences of the movie move from one location to other, which keeps interest of the audience. The movie may be liked the young audience, but the older audience who has seen the first part may not be very satisfied with the movie.

The movie's animation is good but we have already seen the same in the first part and you do not get anything new. 

Overall the movie is entertaining and certainly a one time watch. One of the things that I observed was that a lot of grown ups had come for the movie, which is a rarity nowadays for an animated movie. So you can go and enjoy this movie either with you kids or alone, since it brings back memories of your childhood.

Rating - 3 / 5

Independence Day - Resurgence Review

Independence Day - Resurgence is a sequel to a movie which is a cornerstone for alien attack movies and had to match high standards set by its predecessor.

The movie is set 20 years after the first alien attack on planet earth and brings the story of a second alien attack. The movie has an interesting start and the movie races ahead at a high pace. Once the alien spaceship reaches earth, the visuals are just amazing and you cannot take your eyes off the screen. However after the alien spaceship's landing, the movie loses grip on its story telling and falls apart. The team has tried to bring in new angles to the storyline, but has not been able to create the same magic as the first part. While the first part refrained from showing actual aliens, thus movie has shown them in plenty. And in a way this has pulled back the intensity of the movie. The writing needed to be better for the movie as though it starts on a high note, but the writing lets it down in the latter half. The ending of the movie is also a problem as it all seems very easy and unrealistic. Due to this the ending of the movie will not last very long in one's memory. There are a lot of plot holes through the movie which has affected the movie.

Acting wise all the actors have done a decent job, but no one deserves a special mention. Roland Emmerich's direction is ok and nothing to rave about. He lacks imagination in this movie. The movie's special effects are great and are the one thing that is really make the movie watchable. All the destruction in the first hour looks very real and that is the only high point of the movie.

Overall the movie has been made to make lots of money, but not a lot of thought has gone into the writing. All the first part lovers can watch it if they want to. But watch it as a mindless masala movie.

Rating - 3 / 5

Udta Punjab Review

Udta Punjab is one if those rare movies that has been allowed a release with none of the cuss words censored. Kudos to the Udta Punjab team for this achievement.

Udta Punjab is a movie about two things - drugs and Punjab. It is a movie about how drugs is affecting the youth and how politics of the area is entrenched into it. The movie is successful in showing the problem of drugs and mixes it with humour, which is the best thing that the writers could have done to this otherwise serious movie. The four main characters are extremely well written and they remain with you even after the movie is over. The movie has a pacy first half and an equally pacy second half, with three different stories progressing simultaneously. The three stories finally culminate together at the end of the movie. The movie works because of its story, its humour and its characters.

All the four main actors should be given due credit for their acting. Shahid Kapoor is phenomenal as a drug addict pop superstar who is trying to redeem himself. He has enacted his part effortlessly and makes the character come alive on screen. Alia Bhatt is also phenomenal in her role of a Bihari girl. She has done a role what no one would have thought she can do. Even though she doesn't have a glamorous look in the movie, her acting is superb and it makes you wait for her next scene. Kareena Kapoor has essayed her role of a doctor who wants to stop drug addiction in Punjab, with ease. She looks lovely in the movie and one can't help but fall in love with the character because of her simplicity. The character of Diljit Dosanjh is also simple and this makes you like the character. He has done a good job at his first Hindi movie and should be given more roles I future movies. The other actors have also played their part beautifully and make the movie a memorable one to watch.

Abhishek Chaubey has made a movie which deals with a social issue but narrates the story with humour. Most directors would have gone the way of satire to move the story ahead. But he focuses on the characters due to which all can relate to the characters. This movie is a job well done. He is a director good at making humorous movies out of serious settings and should continue doing this. 

The music of the movie gels well with the story and adds to the narrative. Even though none of the songs are superb, their placement in the movie makes them worth both hearing and watching.

Overall the movie is a great watch and all adults should enjoy this at the theatres. After all the producers have done a good job at fighting for their movie and its rights by getting it into release with only 1 cut. So people please go for this movie.

Rating - 3.5 / 5

The Conjuring 2 Review

The Conjuring 2 is the second instalment of Ed and Lorrain Warren after The Conjuring. Comparisons with The Conjuring is inevitable. While it is not as great as The Conjuring, it still holds a high place in terms of horror movies.

Like The Conjuring, the second instalment is as scary in the first half and gives you the chills you are looking for. But the second half is not so scary, though it is very scary at a few places. The problem is that they give a face to the thing that scares you after which the fear factor goes down. The story and the script are well written and the locations and sets lend credibility to the movie.

Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga have again given their best to their characters. All the main actors have a done a god job at potraying their characters. Special mention needs to be given to the children who have done a good job at making you feel frightened. 

James Wan is a master at horror movies and he once again proves his mettle at this genre. Watching one James Wan movie makes you want to watch all of his movies.  That is a sign of great talent.

Overall the movie is very good and all horror fans will certainly enjoy it.

Rating - 3.5 / 5

Housefull 3 Review

Housefull 3 is the third instalment of the Houseful franchise. While the first movie had some original elements, the second part did not contribute anything new. The same goes with the third part.

The movie has its share of funny moments, but at most times the humour seems forced. The movie also has a similar storyline like the first two parts and thus there is no novelty. The team should try something new if they make another instalment. The same theme will all characters congregating at the same house does not seem to work anymore.

Among the actors, Ritesh Deshmukh and Akshay Kumar have put in some effort into their characters and it shows on screen. Abhishek Bacchhan does not bring in any originality and thus is the weakest character. Jacqueline, Diana Hayden and Nargis Fakhri do not have much to do except look sexy. And Boman Irani seems to be repeating his character from past movies. The only good point of the movie is Jacky Shroff as he brings the screen on fire whenever he is on screen. Even after so many years, he still has the aura to sizzle on screen. He should have been given a longer role.

This movie has been directed by Farhad - Sajid instead of Sajid Khan who directed the earlier two parts. But in the treatment it does not seem to be any different from a Sajid Khan movie. He may as well have directed this part too. The direction is at best fine and does not bring anything new to the table.

The music of the movie is not very great and it only acts as a stoppage to the story line. Some of the songs could have been removed to help the storyline. The editing does not help the movie as it seems a bit long.

Overall, if you have seen Housefull 1 and 2, you can give this movie a miss. If you are going for this movie then keep your brains away.

Rating - 2.5 / 5