Transformers-Revenge of the Fallen

Medium : English
Starring : Shia Labeouf, Megan Foz
Director : Maichael Bay, Executive Producer : Steven Speilberg

The title of a film is one of the primary factors on the viewer’s side to decide whether to watch it or not. The poster and promotional stills helps him in taking such a decision. The recent English film’s posters which released last week gave the message that it is an action film. The title was written ‘Revenge of the Fallen’, which didn’t create a curiosity. Later, when a friend of mine told that the new series of ‘Transformers’ is released, I have gone through the same posters once again. On a close look, I have seen written in very small letters, ‘Transformers’ that too under the title ‘Revenge of the Fallen’. The distributors should have taken seriously such a thing by giving the popular title in bold letters. Since people like me would go for everything coming in front of me, it is not a problem.

It is almost two years before that the previous version of ‘Transformers’ got released. It was my first review on English films, since I started the blog. The new film has also got Steffen Spielberg as the executive producer under the banner Dreamworks. The new version which is also directed by Michael Bay has also got the same story line, “men v/s machines”, that too in a booster dose. Here the specialty is that they had given a sub category also, “good machines v/s bad machines”.

Those who know that ‘Transformers’ is a well known video game can watch the film. The reason is that this is one such film which has got computer graphics and visual effects in its extreme. Recently only we have seen the theme that men fighting with the machines in the ‘Terminator Salvation’ film. These days the technicians in Hollywood love to make the unreal characters perform. They think that the creativity will be more if they place robots and machines in place of real artists.

The first scene happens in the 17,000BC where the machines targeting the humans. Then it cuts to the current date when the same thing happens in China. Then the US is being targeted. Army attacks the destroyers. Some similar machines are there with the army to help them. The hero has got the machine part which gives power to the transformers. With the help of his lover and the friend, he went to help the nation from the biggest attack they ever faced. They had got two cars, which has got the power to become machines at any time. They reach Egypt in search of the cause and the army also reaches there to set an end to this dirty game by the bad transformers.

The usual terms we go through while watching such a type of Hollywood film, is shown here also. Some of them are Pentagon, FBI, CIA, Naza, Army Base, Nest etc. We have seen many such scenes in many films before. Still the equation of unbelievable story line with the realistic scenes continues. What to do, they are justifying it by showing them in a relevant way and are succeeded in giving no time for a rethinking. Sometimes we felt it as an animated film in which some real characters are in cultivated. The visual effects sequences which covers the majority of the portions of the film are excellent; but, while doing the hard working, it looks like that the creators were not aware of the length of the film. The story area has also been affected due to this. It jumps from one area to another, thus creating restlessness (To be get bored watching such a product is an embarrassment).

Those who are mad of video games and Hollywood films can watch ‘Transformers-Revenge of the Fallen’.

Rating : 7.5 / 10

Ee Pattanathil Bhootham

Medium:Malayalam
Starring:Mammootty, Kavya Madhavan, Suraaj Venjarammood, Salim Kumar, Innocent
Direction:JohnyAntony
Music:Shan Rahman, Rajamani

In the 80’s, films like ‘My Dear Kuttichathan 3D’ and ‘Mr India’ (Anil Kapoor starrer hindi film) were notable due to the uniqueness in theme. ‘Saakshaal Sreemaan Chathunni’, which released in the early 90’s, carried almost an identical story line. All these films have got a fantasy theme. The lead roles have got super human powers which belongs to some other world. Here, they are accompanied by a group of children and the hero in the form of “Kutichathan”, “Bhootham” etc whatever it is, helps them by using the extraordinary power to become invisible. He saves them from the baddies and when they thinks about him, he will appear in front of them to grant their wishes. At the same time, a negative character that does the witchcraft proceedings (manthravadham) to catch the hero will also be there. This is the formula which is common and has been practiced in any of the films which follows this kind of theme irrespective of the language.

Mammootty has done double role in his new film, ‘Ee Pattanathil Bhootham’ which has got the similar theme. After films like ‘Thambu’, ‘Mela’, ‘Valarthumrigangal’, ‘Joker’, ‘Kusruthi’ etc, this is yet another film based on the life inside a circus tent. Different from those, here they have discussed a murder issue also. Jimmy is a bike jumper in the circus (Mammootty’s role here is similar to that of ‘Mela’ which released 28 years before). He is being trapped by the villains as the primary accused in killing the owner (Janardhanan) of the circus. When he is in the jail, “Bhootham” comes out of the bottle. He takes the appearance of Jimmy. Once he comes out of the jail, both of them helps the heroine (Kavya Madhavan), to find the real culprits behind his father’s murder. Mahadevan (‘Pithamahan’, ‘Natturajavu’ fame) is the person who chases the “Bhootham” and make him slave, with the help of a magic stick.

Though he is not too flexible, Mammootty likes to do comedy roles more these days. We can’t argue; the success of ‘Rajamanikyam’, ‘Thuruppugulan’, ‘Mayavi’, ‘Annan Thambi’ etc will be the reply from the hero's side. The two characters have got a contrasting attitude. “Bhootham” have got more actions to do. He appears and disappears with in a fraction, he is over expressive and the voice is partially feminine also, thus it is not pleasing. As usual, Suraaj Venjarammood is the body guard for the bike jumper hero. He cracks jokes in his usual style (It is good that no extra dialogues without lip movements has been added while dubbing). Salim Kumar comes in the role of a foolish police inspector.

Mammootty, Uday Krishna –Sibi K Thomas (script writers) and Johny Antony (director) have worked together in ‘Thuruppugulan’ before. Here the writers have got the liberty to go to the extreme end, due to the peculiarity in the subject. Since they deals with the fantasy theme, their creativity is non questionable. The film which targeted the children audience has got a late release by 2 months. The team behind, has got the delay in graphics works as the reason for this. EFX has done the job; no need to compare it with any of the non malayalam movies, though there are many problems, the end result is not too bad. Two songs featuring the hero and the children have been visualized with in the limits of the hero. Utpal V Nayanar has done the cinematography. Rajamani, as usual given noisy background score, the theme music should have been done well. This is first film for Shaan Rehman (‘Coffe @ MGRoad’ fame). His songs are average only; waiting for his next project to arrive. After the hatric flops, the film is a relief for the hero.

‘Ee Pattanathil Bhootham’ is watchable under certain conditions. You should have free mind, you should have interest in fantasy subjects, you should show the decency not to question the logic and also you should have the sportsman spirit to watch the lighter performance of the megastar who did as many serious roles in his career.

Rating : 6.5 / 10

New York

Medium : Hindi
Starring : John Abraham, Katrina Kaif, Neil Nithin Mukesh, Irfan Khan
Direction : Kabir Khan
Music : Pritam, Julius Packiam

“A critic may not be right always…” This is what I have written in my profile here. It is applicable to all, including me. There is a particular reason for me to quote this now. I happened to go through a review last week on the new hindi film, ‘New York’. It was such a bad criticism on the film, which provoked me to take a back foot. I shouldn’t have done that, anyway once I came to know that the film is produced by Yash Chopra, I took the decision to watch it.

The story happens in New York. Omar (Neil Nithin Mukesh) is taken into custody by the FBI on an enquiry regarding the 9/11 incident. They want details about his old friend Sam (John Abraham), who left him years ago. The police freed him by putting a condition, he have to collect all the details regarding his friend who is a terrorist now. Omar came to know that Sam is married to Maya (Katrina Kaif), who was their classmate. They got a child now. He stayed with the family and as per instruction from the police he started the double game. He came to know what happened to Sam these days. Once he found that the assumption of the police is wrong, he is in a dilemma. What happens to him and the family is shown in the climax.

'New York' deals with the after effects of the 9/11 incident. In connection to that, both culprits and innocent people were detained by the police as a part of enquiry. They have to suffer a lot in the police custody. What we have heard that normally people belong to a certain community was suffered the most. But here they tell that anyone who lived in US at that time has been tortured by the police as a part of investigation. What happens if such a situation arrives to a common man is what the plot tells.

The film's presentation is the key. Shot fully in US, it has got the looks of a Hollywood film. All the artists have performed well; especially Irafan Khan in the role of FBI officer comes in his usual style. John and Katrina holding the central characters are also good. Neil, the third generation in the legendary singer Mukesh's family has improved a lot since his debut.

Cinematography by Azeem Mishra is rich. Background score by Julius Packiam matching the scenes well. Songs by Pritam is not up to the mark. Anyway the director Kabir Khan (‘Kabul Express’ fame) has created the subject seriously, which has got a global importance these days.

'New York' doesn't have big commercial elements like dance, songs and action as usual hindi films do. But it is a serious attempt from the Bollywood which should not be cornered.

Rating : 7.5 /10

Maasilamani

Medium : Tamil
Starring : Nakulan, Sunaina, Santhaanam, Karunaas
Direction : RNR Manohar
Music : D Imman
Promotional and publicity programs or songs in the mini screen enhances the popularity of a film irrespective of the language. We have seen many examples for this. On the other hand, a good film may not do well if it is not promoted in the way it needed. When the producers/distributors of a film own a TV channel also, then in such a case the promotional works will be up to the ultimate extend. The reason why I told this since the big banner Sun Pictures has entered the film field by distributing films like ‘Kathalil Vizhunthen’, ‘Thenavattu’, ‘Dindukkal Sarathi’, ‘Padikkathavan’, ‘Ayan’ and now ‘Maasilamani’. As they have got many channels, they will play the trailers and songs from the particular movie, ‘n’ number of times, which will boost up the running status of the films.

‘Maasilamani’ has got Nakulan and Sunaina in lead roles who acted in ‘Kathalil Vizhunthen’ before. That film was popular due to the difference in the story side and it has got a hit number in the form of “Nakku Mukku…” also. This is a love story in which the hero (Maasi) is an orphan. He finds the heroine on the way and started loving her. He always wished to do good for the society by helping the poor and in secured people. Sometimes he has to fight against the villains also. Divya (Sunaina) is a dance teacher; she was a witness of such actions from the hero and pretends him as a negative personality. Though she was mistaken, he didn’t get a chance to correct her.

By changing the name as Mani, he got in touch with her family members and acquired a clean certificate. When Divya tried to unfold the truth, he tells her that she was mistaken and no need to put some other’s blame on him. She is confused; he also arranged his friends and well wishers to call him by Mani not Maasi. By this time, a family friend of the heroine, who is a corrupted SI of police (Pawan), arrives in the scene. He tried to impress the girl. He went into an open fight with the hero. Anyway in the end, heroine succeeded in identifying the real love.

This story line has been told many times before. The double role game and the misunderstanding issue have got some best examples. Some of them are ‘Thullatha Manavum Thullum’, ‘Naam Iruvar Namakku Iruvar’, ‘Shahensha’, ‘Rab ne Bana di Jodi’ etc. The comedy elements in the film are not up to the mark. The way in which MS Bhaskar comes as a Rajnikanth fan is good, but sometimes it also exceeds the limit.

Music director D Imman has given some peppy numbers. It has got the mix of romantic duets and fast songs. Cameraman Vetri has also done a good job. Though Nakulan (brother of Devayani), is good in songs and dance scenes, he has to improve a lot in the acting area. Sunaina is also good, but in some rare angles she got a small awkward look. The film as a whole was not boring for me.

‘Maasilamani’ is an old wine in the new bottle. If you are too desperate in watching a tamil movie, then you can proceed.

Rating : 5.5 / 10

Kambakht Ishq

Medium : Hindi
Starring : Akshay Kumar, Kareena Kapoor, Aftab Shivadasani, Amrita Arora, Sylvester Stallone (guest)
Direction : Sabbir Khan

Music : Anu Malik, Salim - Sulaiman

The name of this new hindi film by Akshay Kumar originated from the first line of a hit song from the film ‘Pyar Tune Kya Kiya’ (Fardeen Khan-Urmila starrer produced by Ramgopal Varma in 2001). Right from his debut in the early 90’s, the 80+ films year old actor, who is also a martial arts expert has grown through films like ‘Khiladi’, ‘Mohra’, ‘Main Khiladi Tu Anari’, ‘Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi’, ‘Hera Pheri’, ‘Ajnabee’, ‘Garam Masala’, ‘Namasthey London’, ‘Singh is King’ etc. Though the majority of them were action oriented roles, in the last 4-5years, Akshay kumar has started giving importance to comedy subjects also. ‘Kambakht Ishq’ is directed by debutant Sabbir Khan, who was working in the field as assistant director since last 14years.

In the last years, bollywood has changed a lot in many aspects especially on the technical side. Even then they are giving films like ‘A Wednesday’, ‘Lagaan’, Chak de India’ etc along with ‘Dhoom’, ‘Bhoot’, ‘Kabhi Alvida na Kehna’etc. Another important change is in the environment of story telling. The majority of the film happens in US or UK or any other country abroad. In the 60% of the films relasing here, we can’t spot out a single scene containing visuals from our country. (Personally, I am against such an attitude of the film makers, but looking on the commercial side I will prefer to be silent). Since, hindi films have got a global audience, Eros International has released ‘Kambakht Ishq’ overseas also. The film fully shot in US, has got casting of Sylvester Stallone. The intention was clear.

Viraj (Akshay) is working as dupe for Hollywood actors in action sequences. His young brother (Aftab) who also works in the same field decides to get married. This is not supported by Viraj. On the other side the proposed girl (Amrita Arora) has got a friend (Kareena) who also opposes the marriage. She tried to separate the couple blaming the stability of their job as dupes. Irritated at this, the hero advises his brother not to break up their family relation. When Viraj met with an accident, heroine who is a doctor conducts the surgery. When gone through the X-ray, she came to know that before stitching, by mistake she left her watch inside hero’s stomach. Without telling this, she started in front of him as if she loves him. When her intention of doing surgery again becomes successful, she reveals that she don’t like him. Anyway after few dramatic situations, heroine begs the hero for love in the climax and what to do, he agrees…!

Have you heard the story before? It was only at the interval time only that I identified that this film is the remake of a Kamalhassan-Simran film in the early 2000period, ‘Pammal K Sambandham’. Only thing they have done is the change of location and addition of more glamour scenes. Universal Studios in Hollywood forms the main location here. The actions scenes directed by foreign technicians are shown as a part of the hero’s profession as dupe in films. Stallone comes in two scenes, his climax fight and the shot in which he tells the word “Kambakht Ishq…” felt cinematic. The way in which the alarm rings inside the hero’s body and its impact is not realistic. Javed Jafri’s character also felt intolerable sometimes. The single comedy scene given for Boman Irani is also repetitive. The film sounds high technically. Cinematography by Vikas Shivraman is notable. Akshay Kumar and Kareena Kapoor have done well.

The original version of this film was a flop. Here they managed to recreate it through ‘Kambakht Ishq’ to a certain extend. But, we can’t promote it as the best.

Rating : 6 / 10