Change Your Image
![](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BMjQ4MTY5NzU2M15BMl5BanBnXkFtZTgwNDc5NTgwMTI@._V1_SY100_SX100_.jpg)
anchitbaishya2004
Bewertungen
Bridgerton (2020)
Charming and Passionate
Bridgerton, a series adapted from Julia Quinn's best selling novels, is a tale of love and scandal set against the backdrop of Regency-Era London in the 1810's. The story follows one of the most esteemed families of the ton, The Bridgertons, as the eight close-knit siblings of the family navigate courtship, romance and adventure.
Ofcourse this is not a direct adaption of the books but that's what makes Bridgerton so special. One of the most striking aspects of the series is its diverse cast. It doesn't follow the same whitewashed depiction of the 19th century London like so many other period dramas, instead it takes the viewers to a multicultural society where race is not a barrier to love or social standing. I appreciate this choice as it resonates more with the modern audience.
Now, the most important element of the narrative of Bridgerton is romance and it completely delivers on that. It is filled with sweeping romances which is elevated by the actors' sizzling chemistry.
S1 was pretty good as it set up the world, it's characters, the conflict and the central romance between Daphne and Simon. Even though I Iargely enjoyed this season, the amount of sex scenes and nudity could get distracting and it took me out of the story more than once. Phoebe Dynevor as Daphne Bridgerton and Regé-Jean Page as Simon Basset did a fantastic job.
S2 was fantastic as it perfectly displays the classic enemies to lovers trope between Kate and Anthony. The nudity is substantially reduced and time is spent fleshing out the characters, their backstory and romances. This season was also emotionally complex. Jonathan Bailey as Anthony Bridgerton and Simone Ashley as Kate Sharma have electrifying chemistry. This was easily the best season by far.
S3, however, was a little weak compared to the previous seasons though it's not bad by any means. This time the story is about friends to lovers with Colin and Penelope. Nicola Coughlan as Penelope Featherington is amazing and her chemistry with Colin Bridgerton, played by Luke Newton, is off the charts. I just feel like the focus was constantly shifting from one plot point to the next and at times feels a little rushed.
Julie Andrews gives a wonderful voice performance as the mysterious scandal writer Lady Whistledown who is central to the narrative. Other than that Claudia Jessie as Eloise Bridgerton, Luke Thompson as Benedict Bridgerton and Adjoa Andoh as Lady Danbury gave wonderful performances.
Aside from the cast and the romance, the series is visually beautiful with lavish costumes, immaculate production design and breathtaking settings that really brings out the essence of the Regency-Era London.
Overall, Bridgerton is charming and passionate. It honours it's source material but also changes some aspects of it which works well enough. Even though it's not perfect and there are some issues with the narrative and some characters, it still remains a sweeping tale about love, romance and scandal.
Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)
WHAT A BLAST!!
The most anticipated film of 2024 is here as Deadpool and Wolverine is currently playing in theatres. And boy did it live up to all the hype (almost). I'll try my best to keep this review spoiler-free.
From starting to finish this movie was an unforgettable theatrical experience. The entire theatre was laughing and cheering for the return of these beloved characters. The soundtrack freaking slaps. The action is well choreographed, bloody and gruesome, the comedy lands perfectly and the emotional moments hit hard. Hugh Jackman as Wolverine and Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool were fantastic and their chemistry was off the charts. There were some cameos that were utilised pretty well in the movie. Plus the movie is loaded with Easter eggs that MCU Stans will gobble up. The pacing is done well that the 2 hrs runtime flies by. Shawn Levy directed the hell outta this movie. I just loved the idea of them poking fun at the MCU and the movie industry in general.
However I did feel that the story was a bit too confusing at times and the villain was underwhelming to say the least. So if you're going in expecting a great storyline then you might be disappointed. But those are my only criticisms. This is MCU's biggest movie of the decade after No Way Home and is destined to become this year's biggest blockbuster.
Overall Deadpool and Wolverine is bloody, funny and emotional. It expertly balances it's bloody action and crude humour with such emotional moments. The two leads have impeccable chemistry and the movie celebrates the superhero genre while also poking fun at it. Even though the movie falters when it comes to telling a cohesive story, it still largely delivers everything Marvel fans have been wanting for and is destined to become a box office juggernaut. Don't miss the chance to experience it in theatres.
Kalki 2898-AD (2024)
A Visual Marvel
Kalki 2898 AD, directed by Nag Ashwin, is a visual marvel packed with great performances, stunning cinematography, an immersive dystopian setting, and amazing sound design.
The visuals were stunning and reminded me a lot of Dune and Mad Max: Fury Road. The design of Complex against the dystopian setting was particularly thrilling and gave it a sense of scale and wonder. The chase scenes were shot pretty well and the CGI is extremely well done particularly during the climax which is an amazing feat for Indian Cinema. The plot is crafted pretty well as it combines Mythology with Sci-fi to create a narrative that is gripping and thrilling. The performances were great. Amitabh Bachchan as Ashwatthama was fantastic. He really evoked a sense of majestic power and practically stole the show. Deepika Padukone as Sumati was decent and Prabhas as Bhairava was excellent. From the moment he appears on screen to the final battle sequence, he really delivered his best performance since Bahubali and was a HUGE step up from his performance in Adipurush. The sound design is freaking incredible. The musical score gives you all the feels- from thrilling to eerie, from comedic to emotional, it was a full blown experience in the theatre. There is a surprise cameo, which I'm not going to spoil, but it was a smart little detail that got the audience cheering out loud.
Now it's not without its flaws. The first half of the movie was pretty slow and the 3hr runtime occasionally drags. There were some scenes which went on for too long and could've been trimmed easily to make it a perfect 2.5 hr movie. The pacing and editing felt uneven at times. The action can be quite cartoonish aside from a few moments where it looks pretty cool. And Disha Patani as Roxy was a waste of time and added nothing to plot whatsoever and was completely forgotten after about 10 minutes of screentime.
Even if it's not a perfect movie and has its issues, Kalki 2898 AD is nonetheless a visual marvel paired with a gripping narrative, some great performances from the ensemble cast and an amazing sound design that creates an unforgettable theatrical experience. Kudos to everyone involved.
Inside Out 2 (2024)
One Of The Best Sequels Pixar Has Ever Produced
When Inside Out was released in 2015, it was quickly hailed as one of Pixar's Masterpieces and it really was. It's a story about growing up, developing and feeling your emotions. And as humans we never stop growing or developing into a more mature version of ourselves, so a sequel to the first movie seemed pretty much a guaranteed bet. And 9 years later, here we are as Inside Out 2 is currently playing in theatres.
Inside Out is my favourite Pixar movie of all time so I was a little anxious about how are they gonna possibly top the first or even come close. But luckily it was AMAZING!!!
The writing is pretty great and perfectly showcases the chaos of adolescence, the desire to desperately fit in, thinking that you're not good enough, and what happens when anxiety completely takes over you (both literally and figuratively), all while still being so incredibly cute and funny. The animation is marvelous and so hyper detailed. I loved that they combined different animation styles like video game animation and 2D animation for some characters which looked so good. The characters are fun and the old and new emotions are utilised evenly throughout the story. Out of the new emotions, Anxiety was the standout. Another new character which I thought was pretty good and funny was Pouchy. The voice acting is done brilliantly particularly by Amy Poehler as Joy, Lewis Black as Anger, Liza Lapira as Disgust and ofcourse Maya Hawke as Anxiety. The world building is stunning as always particularly the Belief System. The concept of Riley's Sense of Self was really intriguing and holds a deep meaning. I also really loved the messaging about loving every bit of yourself just as you are.
However, the movie doesn't quite hit the emotional beats of the first movie and dragged a little during the second half, but that's just a minor nitpick.
Overall, Inside Out 2 is beautiful, heartwarming and funny. The writing is clever, the animation is marvelous, the characters are fun and the message is strong. This is Pixar's return to form and easily one their best sequels to date that holds up to the original. Don't miss the chance to watch it in theatres.
Inside Out (2015)
One of Pixar's Finest and Most Emotional Creations To Date
Pixar is known for creating films packed with creativity and imagination. Their concepts are nothing short of exciting- What if Toys had emotions? What if Cars had emotions? But what if emotions had emotions? Sounds weird. Well, let's get into it.
Inside Out is a about an 11 year old girl named Riley who is approaching the stress and storm period of adolescence which itself is a turbulent period. One day her family decides to move to San Francisco from her hometown of Minnesota. What follows is a wild ride of different emotions (literally). Inside her head is where most of the story takes place as we are introduced to our five core emotions- Joy (Amy Poehler), Sadness (Phyllis Smith), Fear (Bill Hader), Anger (Lewis Black) and Disgust (Mindy Kaling) who are incharge of Riley's emotional state. Joy is the leader of the group who is incharge of making Riley happy everyday. But things take a wild turn after Sadness tries to take control and everything starts going downhill.
The writing here is extremely clever as it so flawlessly balances it's comedy with such hard hitting emotional moments. This movie perfectly captures what it's like to be a child and when you grow older you tend to forget all those happy and fun things you did as a child. It also shows how suppressing your emotions and not letting others know how you feel might lead to depression. Everything about the storyline and writing is freaking brilliant.
The visuals are quite impressive and stunning. The way they portrayed the designs of the Emotions and the surrounding environment of the mind from The Headquarters to the Personality Islands from Imagination Land to The Long Term Memory is a wonder to behold. The voice work is done brilliantly with Poehler as Joy, Smith as Sadness and Black as Anger being the standouts.
With a touching story, strong message, stunning visuals, fun characters and a lot of heart, Inside Out stands up there with the likes of Toy Story, Ratatouille, WALL E and Up as one of the finest movies to have ever come out of the studio.
Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar (2024)
Visually Dazzling And That's About It
Heeramandi, directed by the famed Indian filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali, had a lot riding on it. But unfortunately it fell quite flat.
Let's talk about the positives. The costumes, the sets, the cinematography and the overall visual aesthetic of the series is nothing short of brilliance. The attention to detail is mesmerizing to watch so much so that you'd wish to see it on the big screen. The performances are well delivered. Manisha Koirala gave a very compelling performance as the scheming Mallikajaan and so did Sonakshi Sinha as Fareedan/Rehana and Aditi Rao Hydari as Bibbojaan. These three ladies practically carried the series from starting to end. Taha Shah wasn't as strong as the others but still delivered a good performance as Tajdar. The songs were really melodious to hear as well.
That's where all the positives end. My main criticism is the narrative. For the first 6 episodes the story was going very smoothly and had me occupied but during the last two episodes I was like WTF happened. There was a sudden plot shift which completely deviated from what this series was all about. It shifted from telling a story about courtesans, revenge, love and betrayal to being a story about patriotism. Not to mention the ending felt very rushed and raised many questions. Another issue is the performance of Sharmin Segal as Alamzeb. Arguably the second most important character in the series, she completely lacked any charm or energy in her performance whatsoever and also had this look of boredom on her face from the moment her character is introduced to the very end of the show. There were certain moments where she should've given an extremely emotional performance but what she delivered was disappointing to say the least.
Overall, Sanjay Leela Bhansali gave his signature majestic flair to Heeramandi, and while the series is visually dazzling along with some great performances from the ensemble cast, it crumbles down due to the sudden plot shift at the end and some choices made with the characters which were kinda questionable.
Sex Education (2019)
Smartly Written, Funny And Mature
Sex Education follows the life of an awkward teenager, Otis Milburn, with a mother who is a sex therapist. Together with his highschool classmate, Maeve Wiley, he opens up an underground sex therapy clinic at his school to help students with their sex life. Along the way he realises how complicated and difficult love and life can be.
That was the basic premise of the show. But the way it's been written and showcased is brilliant. Honestly, this is one of the best series I've watched on Netflix in a long time. It consistently delivers excellent storylines and humor paired with drama, emotions and the mature treatment of its subject of sex which is no easy feat to pull off.
It does a great job at setting up the characters and their dilemmas and the world around them. Each character has their own intriguing storyline and to see them overcome their struggles and grow as a person is a delight to watch. The cast delivers some great performances particularly Emma Mackey as Maeve Wiley, Ncuti Gatwa as Eric Effiong and Gillian Anderson as Jean Milburn. Otis and Maeve's dynamic is electrifying and also sometimes a little awkward.
Everything's going smoothly until Season 4 which is where the show fumbles. It introduces some new characters and the focus was constantly shifting. They tried telling the new characters's storylines along with the old ones which jumbles up the plot. Otis competes with O to set up a sex clinic at his college and mostly acts as a spoiled brat this time which I didn't liked considering how his character was written for the first 3 seasons. His dynamic with Maeve also felt a little weak as compared to the previous seasons. The ending also felt rushed and incomplete. The only characters I thought had any arcs this time around were Eric, Ruby and Adam.
Overall, this would've been a perfect 10 if only Season 4 was handled well enough. But for the first 3 seasons, this is a fantastic series filled with relatable characters, smart writing and the mature and realistic portrayal of it's themes.
Kimitachi wa dô ikiru ka (2023)
Not Miyazaki's Strongest But A Visual Feast Nonetheless
As with any of the Studio Ghibli release, I was extremely excited for The Boy And The Heron and after hearing that it was gonna be Hayao Miyazaki's "final film", I was hyped up thinking it would be on par with his other films like Spirited Away or Princess Mononoke or maybe even better. But well it wasn't. That's not to say it's a bad film, no it's really not. So let's get into it.
The story is about a young headstrong boy named Mahito who lost his mother in a hospital fire during WWII. Few years later his father decides to remarry and Mahito moves to the countryside to stay with his new stepmother where a mischievous gray heron leads him to a forbidden mystical tower which leads Mahito to a realm shared by the living and the dead. With the gray heron as his guide, Mahito embarks on a journey of self-acceptance and to find out the truth about the world. Now the story starts off a little slow while setting up the world, characters and the theme. It really starts to get into motion after Mahito enters the fantastical realm. The story is full of symbolism and can get too complex at times making it hard to follow. The ending also felt very rushed. There are certain moments that are hard-hitting but I'm not gonna spoil them.
The film is visually stunning. The animation of the Japanese countryside is so beautifully done which evokes a sense of peace but once you enter the fantastical realm its a whole different ride of gorgeous landscapes, lavish colors and unique character designs, from the Gray Heron to the Warawara to the Parakeets. An eye candy from start to finish. The characters are quite endearing and engaging. And Joe Hisaishi's score is beautiful and soothing which fits the tone of the film.
Overall, The Boy And The Heron might not live up to the likes of previous Miyazaki films, but dazzling visuals, great characters, great musical score and a unique fantastical world more than makes up for the complex and at times a little confusing story.
Sen to Chihiro no kamikakushi (2001)
A Masterclass in Animation
There are some movies that, no matter how old they might be, just stick with you and you keep revisiting them over time and the rewatches only makes them better. One such movie is Spirited Away directed by the Legendary Hayao Miyazaki.
As with Miyazaki's previous films like Princess Mononoke, the story is fantastical, imaginative, and well written. It blends elements from Japanese Folklore with the coming-of-age set up that is just a delight to watch. The characters are charming and likeable.
The world building is absolutely brilliant. The lavish colors, the gorgeous backdrops and the unique and creative designs of the creatures, swepts away the audience into a fantastical world full of magic and wonder reminiscent of Lewis Carroll's Alice In Wonderland. The music is beautiful and is just the cherry on top.
Overall, Spirited Away is a Masterclass in Animation. With stunning visuals, brilliant world building, a fantastical story and a gorgeous soundtrack, Spirited Away is a film that audiences of all ages can enjoy and appreciate.
Mononoke-hime (1997)
An Animated Masterpiece
Whether you're into Studio Ghibli films or anime, there's something in Hayao Miyazaki's movies that'll melt even the coldest of hearts. And Princess Mononoke was no different. It is so full imagination, heart and fantasy that it's hard not to be swept away.
The story is both imaginative and creative and has a pretty strong message about environmentalism which is seamlessly woven into the narrative. The world building is stunning, overflowing with fantasy and wonder. And the characters are endearing and full of depth. Though the story can get a little complicated at times but that's a minor issue.
The animation is absolutely beautiful. Everything is so meticulously designed and detailed with a painterly feel which makes the movie look like a freaking storybook come to life. The action-sequences are great as well.
Overall, Princess Mononoke is a landmark film for Studio Ghibli and Hayao Miyazaki that has something for everyone. With stunning visuals, enchanting characters, and the strong message about environmentalism, Princess Mononoke stands as a timeless classic.
Never Have I Ever (2020)
Funny, Engaging, Heartfelt And Moving
Okay, so I'll admit going into this series I wasn't too excited about how it's going to turn out and thought it was going to be generic. But luckily, all my negative thoughts were blown away during the first few episodes of the first season. The story is about an Indian-American teenager named Devi Vishwakumar trying to navigate her life through the last four years of high school while also processing the sudden death of her father. It is basically another story where the protagonist is trying to rise up the social ranks at her high school but it was just so much more than that. It tackles themes of family, friendship, love, loss, grief and acceptance and how it's okay to let go of the pain that has been haunting you for a long time and move on.
The characters were extremely likeable and charming. Devi starts off as an annoying teen but as the story progresses we learn more about her past and her relationships which makes her more likeable and relatable for someone who has lost a loved one and Maitreyi Ramakrishnan gives a beautiful performance. Her relationship with her mother Nalini, played wonderfully by Poorna Jagannathan, and her besties Fabiola ( Lee Rodriguez) and Elenor ( Ramona Young ) are the heart of this series. Other characters like Devi's Boyfriends Ben ( Jaren Lewison) and Paxton (Darren Barnett) her cousin Kamala ( Richa Moorjani) and her grandmother Nirmala (Ranjita Chakravarty) are extremely fun to watch. All of these characters are very much relatable in their own ways and have their personal struggles which is showcased beautifully throughout the 4 seasons which makes them all well rounded and well developed characters. You laugh with them, you cry with them, you feel their pain and struggles and by the last season you're so emotionally invested that it's hard to say goodbye.
One of the strongest aspects, aside from the story, cast and characters, which really elevates this series for me is the representation of Indian Culture. Hollywood media usually undermines minority cultures but Never Have I Ever proudly showcases Indian Culture in a way that's never before seen in other Hollywood media. It felt less stereotypical and more authentic. As an Indian myself, I can't tell you how happy it makes me feel seeing so many Indian/ Indian-American actors on the screen getting recognition in American media.
Now considering this is also a teen rom-com, it did feel a little cheesy and cringey at some points but that isn't a huge problem.
Overall, Never Have I Ever is a light-hearted comedy series filled with emotions, likeable characters, heart and humour topped off with a beautiful portrayal of friendship, grief and acceptance and an overall positive message about moving on. Highly recommend it.
Poor Things (2023)
Weird, Eerie, Unusual and Unique
Poor Things directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, is a really unusual movie to begin with. The concept of this movie about inserting a baby's brain into a full grown woman to revive her is pretty weird and something you don't see as much and dare I say is kinda........unique. Now this is Yorgos Lanthimos we're talking about, if you've seen his previous works this should come as no surprise. But Poor Things might just be his most weirdest creation to date.
Emma Stone as Bella Baxter is phenomenal and rightfully deserved the Oscar. Her performance feels so natural and is the heart and soul of this movie. Her character in general definitely had the most growth in the entire movie and was the most interesting. Willem Dafoe as Godwin Baxter and Mark Ruffalo as Duncan Wedderburn gave some compelling performances as well.
Visually, the film looked mesmerizing. From the unique costumes to the immaculate production design to the stunning cinematography, everything was perfect. The atmosphere of this film was extremely eerie from starting to end thanks to it's score and some camera angles.
Now, the biggest issue with this film is it's length and pacing. There are too many sex scenes and some of them could've been cut easily. The film also gets a little boring at times. The pacing too is a little weird.
Overall, Poor Things is an unusual movie that may not resonate with a lot of people (as evident by the many negative ratings) but if you love movies like this then this one might just be for you. For me it was a mixed experience, where I did like it but some of the issues are way too glaring for me to look past.
Animal (2023)
It Had No Business Being That Long and Violent
Animal directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga is a mediocre mess. Now the technical aspects of this movie are really well done from the background score to the production design to the cinematography. The fight scenes are adrenaline boosters and despite being 3 1/2 hours long it is very engaging thanks to it's action.
Aside from some good elements the movie largely falters in many aspects. The movie tries too hard to tell a story about the love between a father and a son however it all gets lost amidst the yelling, shooting, slashing and slicing. It feels like the story is trying to juggle too many plot points at once with a lot of it feeling underdeveloped. The pacing is atrocious. It goes from being a fast-paced story in the first act and then slows down so heavily during the second-act with some character interactions being too lengthy and could've been easily cut.
Speaking of the characters, Ranbir Kapoor gives a phenomenal performance as Vijay however his character goes through abrupt shifts without much of a context. His father Balbir Singh, played fabulously by Anil Kapoor, is the only other character that gets some character development. Aside from the two Kapoors, all the other characters are boring and one-dimensional. Rashmika Mandanna gives a very weak performance as Gitanjali, whose only purpose is to get yelled yet by her husband without having much importance to the story. The villain or the villains aren't threatening enough and Tripti Dimri was boring but atleast she served somewhat of a purpose in the story.
The emotional core of this movie is the relationship between Vijay and his father Balbir which only comes towards the end of the movie. The movie does a pretty good job at setting up their relationship in the beginning but then it all narrows down to constant yelling in which the real motive of the story is drowned out.
Even though the action is pretty good it is overly violent with some scenes being extremely unsettling and distrubing to look at. Plus the protagonist is shown to be really misogynistic at some points.
Overall Animal shines through it's technical achievements and some great performances from Ranbir Kapoor and Anil Kapoor, but falters heavily when it comes to telling a cohesive story. And if you're someone who cannot handle violence and gore, pls refrain from watching it.
Dunki (2023)
Rajkumar Hirani Delivers a Heartwarming Tale About Love, Friendship And Patriotism
After 2 back to back hits, SRK is back to end the year with a final bang and paired with Rajkumar Hirani as director there was no doubt this duo would deliver another hit. And I'm happy to report that Dunki lives up to the hype.
Dunki is about a group of friends who want to go to London for varying reasons but they have one major problem. None of them have visas. Therefore they decide to take the dunki route to reach their destination and what follows is a roller coaster of emotions.
The characters are all very engaging and entertaining and have great chemistry, be it the romance between SRK as Hardy and Tapsee Pannu as Manu or the little cameo of Vicky Kaushal as Sukhee who, with the little amount of screentime provided, made a huge emotional impact in the story. The performances were wonderful. The comedy is spot on and legit makes you laugh out loud. The music is beautiful and also provides a patriotic feeling. The emotions of this movie hits you hard. And the messaging of love and patriotism is very poignant.
However, I did feel that the narrative didn't flow as smoothly as intended to mainly because of the abrupt dance sequences which felt out of place and some tonal issues.
Even with some of the issues I found, the movie was largely very much enjoyable and is definitely a family entertainer. You won't be disappointed.
Wish (2023)
Disney's 100th Anniversary Movie But Without The Disney Magic
Here are my thoughts on Wish. Starting with
THE POSITIVES
THE ANIMATION- Since Wish is supposed to be the celebration of Disney's 100 years of animation it makes more sense that it would blend 2D and 3D animation as a way to pay tribute to both their older and modern day movies. And it looks BEAUTIFUL. The soft watercolor backgrounds gives a dreamy and fairytale feel to it. It all looks especially stunning when you're watching it in 3D.
THE VOICE ACTING- Ariana DeBose is fantastic as Asha, our protagonist. She breathes so much life and emotion into her character with her enchanting singing being the cherry on top. Chris Pine as King Magnifico was so fun to watch. The rest of the cast does a decent job as well.
THE EASTER EGGS- One of the things that Wish does right is paying homage to Disney Animation with the many Easter Eggs you'll spot in this movie. While some of it might be too on the nose with the characters literally talking about it, but it helps to give away a nostalgic feel. Definitely had a fun time spotting them throughout the movie.
THE MIXED
THE MUSIC- Aside from two good songs- "This Wish" and "At All Costs", the soundtrack is mostly forgettable with tunes like "This Is The Thanks I Get?!" and "I'm A Star" being absolutely cringey and bland not to mention how nonsensical some of the lyrics were.
THE NEGATIVES
THE STORY- Aside from the beautiful visuals, the overall story feels rushed, formulaic and predictable. They took all of the elements from the previous (better) Disney movies to craft a storyline which has no voice of it's own and thus feels unoriginal and uninspired not to mention how awful the pacing is. The concept of the story is pretty great but it faltered in execution.
THE CHARACTERS- The characters, though cute and likeable, are all imitations of previous characters from different movies. Even though Asha is a fine protagonist I couldn't help but feel that she's way too much like Rapunzel, Anna and Mirabel with her "adorkable" personality which is a trope that is being overused by Disney. Asha's seven friends are a reference to the seven dwarfs but are very one dimensional. And King Magnifico, I'm sorry to say, doesn't live up to the hype and the way he was been marketed as the next great Disney Villain. He comes off as kinda bland as his motivations are pretty unclear as to what he wants to achieve compared to other villains like Ursula, Jafar and Scar who had clear motivations and goals. There is an abrupt shift in his character as he goes from being arrogant to being ruthlessly evil in a matter of a few minutes which just comes out of nowhere. However, Star is really cute and is practically the Star of the show. Valentino is annoying as hell.
FINAL VERDICT-
Aside from the basic and predictable story and a mostly forgettable soundtrack, Wish still has things to offer like the beautiful animation, the easter eggs and some genuinely heartfelt moments but all of it can't compensate for the storytelling which completely lacks the Disney magic. It's a rather passable watch that doesn't feel like it was meant to celebrate Disney's Centennial.
Animation and Voice Acting- 9/10
Music- 5/10
Story and Pacing- 3/10
Characters- 4/10
Final Score- 5/10.
Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour (2023)
Taylor Swift continues her Domination, this time on the Big Screen
Now I'll admit that I'm more of a casual listener rather than a huge Taylor Swift fan like my friends but this concert film left me speechless. It was something so magical. From the moment the title card appears on screen to the final bow, the energy of the audience was unimaginable.
Taylor Swift's an absolute goddamn star. Not only is her singing gorgeous but the way she graces the audience with her out of this world style and energy is fantastic. Plus the whole show was so visually striking. From the stage layouts to the beautiful lighting to the breathtaking cinematography to Taylor's many firey costume changes and to the backup dancers everything was perfect. Her little speeches in between added even more to the already immaculate show. People were dancing, singing, cheering and all in all just having a great time.
If you're a Taylor Swift Fan or likes to listen to her then this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you should not miss.
Once Upon a Studio (2023)
Such a Sweet, Gorgeous and Emotional Way to pay tribute to Walt Disney Animation Studios
I'm so overwhelmed with emotions as I write this review just after watching this short. What a beautiful way to pay to tribute to Walt Disney Animation Studios and Walt Disney in general. Seeing all the characters from Snow White to Asha holding hands and singing together, interacting with one another and by the time the short ends I was moved to tears. Every frame contains Nostalgia and all those beautiful memories we had watching these beloved characters on screen. The fact that most of the original voice actors came back to record their respective lines is so amazing. It's just one BIG happy family which makes everyone smile and create sweet memories that are going to be cherished forever. Thank you so much Walt Disney for such a precious gift.
That's all I have to say about Once Upon a Studio. This is not just a short but nostalgia and emotions all coming together to create a beautiful 9 minutes tribute. If you're a Disney fan then you'll definitely cry watching it.
Jawan (2023)
Bombastic is the only word to describe JAWAN
After hearing a lot of good reviews and the ultimate craze for this movie I decided to hop on the train as well and check it out. I'll admit that I wasn't a very big fan of Pathaan so I was kinda anxious about Jawan as well but I was proven wrong during the first 5 minutes. SRK's grand entry was so strong and intense that my jaw dropped to the floor. The action, the background score, the direction, the atmosphere everything was intense and bombastic.
Speaking of the performances, this is SRK's movie and he chews up his dual role of Vikram Rathore and Azad Rathore. Aside from SRK Nayanthara as Narmada was easily the best part about the movie. Vijay Sethupathi as Kalie was great and Deepika Padukone with the limited amount of screentime she had delivered a heartbreaking performance as Aishwarya. There's one more suprise cameo towards the end of the movie which I'm not going to spoil for anyone.
The story was very well-written and despite being nearly 3 hours long the movie didn't dragged or got boring even for a second thanks to its faced paced screenplay. The subject matter is really strong and depicts the faults in our political system with some really gut-wrenching scenes. On top of the that the portrayal of women empowerment in this movie is amazing. However the musical numbers aren't as great with Zinda Banda being the only one song that's catchy enough but the rest are pretty forgettable.
Overall, Jawan is a goddamn spectacle that celebrates the grand return of King Khan (Aside from Pathaan ofcourse). The action is fantastic, the story is great and the social commentary is spot on. Atlee has created something really special.
Barbie (2023)
Pure Escapist Fun
Barbie directed by Greta Gerwig introduces us to Stereotypical Barbie played by Margot Robbie having yet another perfect day in Barbieland an utopia where all its inhabitants are dolls, living in their pink dreamhouses with no exterior walls. Each day in Barbieland is a perfect day. However one day Barbie shows signs of being a human and is asked to go to the human world to figure out who's playing with her and fix everything. Along the way she discovers the joys and perils of living amongst humans and where she's truly meant to be.
In this day and age when a lot of the movies rely on being ultra realistic and dark Barbie comes off as a surprise. It's escapism from reality and lots of entertainment is what audiences are craving right now. Barbie is such a fun and gorgeous movie that is filled with humour, heart, emotions and a lot of good messages. The production design and costumes are fantastic to look at and are absolute eye candies. The story is about self discovery and the evaluation of life however some might be caught off guard with the risks that Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach take with thier storytelling and social commentary.
Speaking of the performances, Margot Robbie is perfect as Stereotypical Barbie but its Ryan Gosling's Ken that shines the most. He provides most of the comedic relief and is absolutely hilarious. The rest of cast does a pretty good job. Plus the monologue given by America Ferrera is something that everybody should listen to. It's so touching and talks about the challenges a woman has to go through in the society.
Overall Barbie is a vibrant, bold and delightful movie that is fuelled by its star studded cast and flawlessly incorporated humour and though some of the creative choices might not always stick the landing, the good stuff largely overpowers the bad ones to create an immersive experience for the audience. Greta Gerwig has done it yet again.
Oppenheimer (2023)
An Intense and Chilling Experience
Like everyone else I was pretty hyped up for Oppenheimer, the latest flick from Christopher Nolan based on the 2005 biography ''American Prometheus'' by Kai Bird and Martin J Sherwin. And after watching it, I think it's safe to say it met almost all of my expectations. From a technical perspective, the film is brilliantly well made. The sound design, production design and the breathtaking cinematography are all top notch. On top of that it also has one of the best scores of the year from Ludwig Görranson.
Speaking of the performances, Cillian Murphy IS Oppenheimer. His line delivery, acting and chemistry with the other actors felt so real and natural. Not to mention how identical he looks to the real J. Robert Oppenheimer. But the real star is Robert Downey Jr. As Lewis Strauss. Aside from the lead actor he gets most of the screentime and boy did he chewed it up. His expressions, line delivery and particularly the third act meltdown are brilliant. The rest of the cast does a pretty good job especially Benny Safdie as Edward Teller. Just like the title the movie primarily focuses on J. Robert Oppenheimer and his role in developing the atomic bomb. The movie gives him a proper structure and development and is fully fleshed out.
Even though the film is brilliantly well made with fantastic performances from the cast, I couldn't help but feel like it dragged on. Now I was really invested in the first 2 hours but as the final hour approaches I was starting to somewhat lose my interest. If only it was trimmed a little then it could've been perfect. Another issue I have with the film is that it completely sidelines the female characters ( just like other movies from Nolan ) Kitty Katherine Oppenheimer, played by Emily Blunt and Jean Tatlock, played by Florence Pugh. They are being setup in the beginning and then are almost completely forgotten until the final hour kicks in. Especially Blunt who should've gotten more screentime as she's supposed to play Oppenheimer's mistress. They could've easily explored more about Oppenheimer's personal life as well. This felt like a missed opportunity
Overall, Oppenheimer is a brilliantly well crafted film from Christopher Nolan that depicts one of the most eerie, intense, haunting and terrifying events in the history of mankind and is easily one of the best biopics/historical movies of all time. Even though the movie is 3 hours long and might test your patience it is a chilling experience nonetheless. You do not want to miss this.
Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One (2023)
A Glorious, Larger Than Life Action Spectacle
Man what an adrenaline rush of a movie this was. Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One proves why this is one of best franchises to have ever graced the silver screen and the 7th installment in this franchise was no exception. The story is exhilarating, faced paced and full of unpredictable twist and turns and the stakes are always high. The action and stunt work, as you'd expect is mind-blowing and intense. It has set the bar so high for future action flicks that it wouldn't be easy to surpass it. On top of that the gorgeous Cinematography and the fantastic direction makes it even better.
Tom Cruise is perfect as Ethan Hunt, jumping off a cliff with a motorbike and fighting on the roof of a moving train. The movie also explores his relationship with his teammates and Ilsa. The best new addition to the series, Hayley Atwell as Grace is one of the greatest aspect of the movie. She gets most of the screentime and is absolutely fantastic. Her chemistry with Ethan, from the moment they meet, is electric and the movie gets more and more exciting whenever they're on screen. Though some of the side characters lacked development and were provided with very little screentime.
Overall, Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One is a really enjoyable action flick that breathes new life into the franchise. With exhilarating action, great performances and a solid story, this a must-see. Tom Cruise once again proves why he's one of the greatest action stars of our time. Highly recommend it.
Tangled (2010)
Wholeheartedly Entertaining
I've watched Tangled a couple of times since it's release but didn't review it up until now. Yeah ik I'm 13 years late to reviewing it but who cares. So here it goes
Tangled, the movie that kicked off the Disney Revival Era and ended the period of Dark Age for Disney, is also one of their best creations to date that easily holds up to the magic of the Disney Renaissance. This movie is the pinnacle of Disney's Modern Day Fairytales and features loveable characters, catchy music, a menacing villain and one of the best romance stories in Disney History.
The story is kinda similar to the previous Disney Princess movies but the smart writing makes the story and the world its own while still keeping the magic of Disney's previous Princess movies though some aspects of it can feel a little cliche at times but it's not that big of a problem. Rapunzel is easily one of the most likable, charming and hilarious Disney protagonist. She has this warm energy that makes you fall in love with the character the moment she appears on screen. Flynn Rider aka Eugene Fitzherbert was one of the best parts of the movie. He's funny and cunning but has a soft side which he let's out after he meets Rapunzel. He practically carries the whole film with his perfect comedic timings. Mother Gothel is a great Disney villain. She has all the qualities of the previous Disney villains. She's manipulative, cunning, wicked and a little bit of sassy. Her solo number Mother Knows Best shows how manipulative she is to Rapunzel feeding her with all the lies about the human world. Maximus is great. He's expressions and chemistry with Flynn Rider is really hilarious to watch. Pascal was just there. The romance between Rapunzel and Flynn is electric. You really buy their love for each other and I like how this isn't a love at first sight kind of a situation. Their bond grows more and more with each conversation and crazy adventures.
The animation is beautiful as always. The movie has a warm and storybook feel to it, from Rapunzel's Tower to the environments, which really makes it stands out from a lot of Disney movies from the same time period. Though it is not as detailed as some of the more recent Disney Princess movies but that's not really a problem when you've got a whole cast of such expressive and entertaining characters.
The music by Alan Menken is good however some songs aren't memorable. I See The Light is the standout. The vocals, the visuals, the lyrics they all sell it perfectly. When Will My Life Begin is a lively song that introduces us to Rapunzel. Mother Knows Best and I've Got a Dream are good in their own ways but are somewhat forgettable nonetheless.
That's my review of Tangled. It's a funny, heartwarming, beautiful, witty and enchanting movie that audiences of all ages can enjoy.
Aladdin (2019)
Lacks the Magic
Aladdin, the live action remake of the 1992 Disney animated classic of the same name was incredibly frustrating. There are so many weird decisions made that it drags the movie down so heavily.
THE CAST- Will Smith as Genie actually turned out to be really amazing and is easily the best part of the movie. He doesn't try to be like Robin Williams's Genie instead adds his own flare and goofiness to the character which, for me, worked well. Mena Massoud as Aladdin is charismatic and sweet even though the guy isn't really as good when it comes to singing. Naomi Scott's Jasmine was passable though her singing is gorgeous. But Marwan Kenzari as Jafar is woefully miscast. He felt more quiet, straightforward and whinny rather than sinister and scary and is far inferior to his animated counterpart.
THE CGI- Visually, the movie is a mixed bag. There are times when it matches the dazzling spectacle of the original especially during Prince Ali, the scenes with the flying magical carpet and the introduction of Agrabah but there are times when the CGI falls flat like during Friend Like Me or the Cave of Wonders. The Genie looked fine. The CGI on the animals can be a hit or miss. Rajah looks great, Abu is kind of meh and Iago doesn't look good at all. The backgrounds looked fine as well nothing too extravagant.
THE STORY- The story is exactly the same with a few changes thrown in. The movie tries to over explain everything rather than giving the characters any personality. Jasmine is given more screentime and is made more empowering. She wants to be the Sultan of Agrabah. She gets her own solo number, "Speechless", which serves as a nice power ballad for the character. There's a new character Dalia, Jasmine's handmaiden, who didn't serve much of a purpose and felt unnecessary. The over explanation of all the stuff in the movie doesn't help the characters as most of them lack any personality whatsoever. The rom-com between Aladdin and Jasmine felt bland and was missing the spark of the original.
FINAL VERDICT-
Aladdin tries too hard to match the dazzling splendor of the animated original and while it matches it a few times, its largely a bland and soulless remake which completely lacks the magic of the original and doesn't do much to justify it's existence.
Maleficent (2014)
Angelina Jolie's fantastic performance saves this somewhat Uneven Story
Maleficent or as you might know as the vengeful fairy from Disney's 1959 animated classic The Sleeping Beauty who puts a curse on Princess Aurora who, on her 16th birthday , shall prick her finger on the spindle of a spinning wheel fall into a deep slumber only to be awaken by a true love's kiss. However there are two sides to every story and we get to hear it from Maleficent's perspective this time around in this live action adaptation.
The story suffers from a lot of tonal inconsistencies and rushes to each new plot point without much of a context. The world building is stunning but feels like there's a lot to explore with a lot of potentially interesting characters. The story winds up feeling very uneven as it tries to tell both Maleficent and Aurora's stories with a few new changes which were kinda questionable.
Speaking of the performances, Angelina Jolie is fantastic as Maleficent. She brings out the menacing nature of the character while also bringing out her softer side. It's easy to see she was having a lot of fun with her character. Elle Fanning as Princess Aurora is sweet and the rest of the cast is decent enough. The three fairies, at times, can be annoying though.
The cinematography is pretty good and the locations, production design and costume design are stunning. But some of the special effects doesn't blend well with the performances and seem mostly fake.
At the end of the day it's Jolie's movie and despite having many flaws, the movie is enchanting enough to cast a spell over fans of Jolie and the fans of the original classic.
Cinderella (2015)
Elegant and Graceful
Cinderella is an absolute gem. It sticks to it's original source material but adds more depth and emotion to the story, the first half in particular is extremely emotional. Yeah, at times it may feel too devoted to the original but that doesn't take away it's charm. We get to see Cinderella's backstory and her relationship with her parents before the untimely death of her mother. We see her relationship with her father grow stronger with each passing year and it makes it all the more tragic when her father, the only family she had, dies and all the torture from her evil step-mother and step-sisters begin. The movie also explains the reason behind the name Cinderella which I thought was a great idea. And the prince is a fully fleshed out character here. We get to see him interact with Cinderella in more than one occasion and his relationship with his dying father, The King, is really emotional.
Speaking of the performances, Lily James as Cinderella couldn't have been more perfect. She makes the character her own and displays enough kindness and charm for the audience to fall in love with her character. Cate Blanchett as Lady Tremaine was a pleasant surprise. Not only is she extremely wicked but at times can be scary with how far she can go with her plans. And Richard Madden as Prince Kit Charming was really nice to watch.
Visually, the movie looked beautiful. From the gorgeous costume designs to the intricate design and detail of the palace to the scenary, everything looked absolutely stunning. It also has a very positive message for both children and adults- "Be Kind and have Courage". Highly recommend it.