Avatar: The Way of Water Movie Review

 Avatar The Way of Water Movie Review

The screenplay is weak, the politics are a rehash of the original, and the film has the feel of a mammoth eye-popping, heart-racing videogame. But it takes the theatrical experience up to a new level of sensory pleasure.

With 'Avatar: The Way of Water', James Cameron has raised the bar for visual effects artistry so much that most Marvel films seem like blown-up gaming screens by comparison.

Avatar 2 has been in the making for the past decade at least, and it comes out 13 years after Avatar—the film that taught our eyes a thing or two. It made for abiding politics in the man-versus-nature, technology-versus-indigenous knowledge debate.

Avatar 2 Review: “The way of water connects all things. The sea is our home before our birth and after we die.” Beyond the 3D visual spectacle that Avatar is, something we trust James Cameron to deliver, the franchise’s beauty lies in its underlying spiritual arc and ode to continuity of life. Life finds a way. It evolves no matter the surroundings as love is transformative.

Humans call the Na’vi ‘hostiles and insurgents’, when it is they who forcefully infiltrate and occupy their land. Despite its magical, fictional setting, Avatar is not devoid of socio-political themes. It addresses race, civilisation, takes a strong anti-military stand and makes a plea for environment conservation through its simple story of parents and children. A spectacular climax revolves around parents protecting their children and vice versa.

From lush jungles to the gorgeous reefs… the action shifts from forests to the sea this time around and it’s equally meditative and hypnotic. For over three hours you find yourself immersed in the enchanting world of an oceanic clan (Metkayina) or the reef people who give Sully and his family a refuge from humans. The sequel scores high on action and emotion. One is not compromised for the other. ‘Happiness is simple. The Sullys stay together. This is our biggest weakness and our greatest strength,” says Jake Sully and the story embodies that spirit. The tale isn’t unique per se but the storytelling and visual excellence are otherworldly epic. Mounted on a massive scale, not once do you find yourself wanting to return to the real world.

While the predecessor set the bar high for visual effects 13 years ago, the new film takes it a step further. Like the previous film, the director does not use 3D as a gimmick but uses it artfully to accentuate audience immersion in the world and story. Avatar 2 deserves be watched in IMAX 3D. It is the greatest immersive cinema experience of the year. Go blue!

Ratings: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

Manikarnika Movie Review

Manikarnika Movie Review

Kangana shines in a superfluous narrative

• Film: "Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi"
• Director: Kangana Ranaut and Radha Krishna Jagarlamudi
• Cast: Kangana Ranaut, Ankita Lokhande, Atul Kulkarni, Danny Denzonpa, Suresh Oberoi, Jishu Sengupta, Vikram Kochhar, Prajakta Mali, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayub, Kulbushan Kharbanda

Here is an opportunity for those who have not heard of the legendary Rani Laxmibai, the warrior queen of Jhansi, who gallantly battled against the British with her infant son tied to her back during the Indian revolution.

With a tale spanning from 1828 to 1858, the film, "Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi" gives you a fair picture about her life and times.

On the acting front, every actor appears sincere, but none stand out for their performance beside Actress Kangana Ranaut who has helmed this film along with Krish Jagarlamudi, plays the eponymous role with all sincerity. Her craft-fuelled intoxication is both naive and endearing. She breathes life into the feisty Manikarnika, but, just like the eye lashes she flaunts in the film.

Visually the film is a treat.

The war scenes with astutely choreographed action sequences are imposing. Mounted on a magnificent scale of an epic with excellent production values, the elaborate production designs of the sets along with the costumes are impressive.

The VFX and the live action sequences are seamlessly layered in the film.

Overall, this film is awe inspiring due to its grandeur but fails to touch the emotional chord in your heart.

My Rating: 3/5

Link to my full review post → Manikarnika Movie Review

Thackeray Movie Review

Thackeray Movie Review

'Thackeray': Aesthetically presented and Convincing

• Film: "Thackeray"
• Director: Abhijit Panse
• Cast: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Amrita Rao, Sudhir Mishra, Abdul Quadir Amin, Radha Sagar, Laxman Singh Rajput

The movie gives us an insight into the life of the late Bal Keshav "Balasahed" Thackeray, the founder of the Shiv Sena and his meteoric rise in Maharashtra's political space.

The film portrays Balasaheb as a caring and considerate family man and upturns many myths while portraying him as the fiery, revolutionary leader, who "has the power to control Bombay" in the times of questionable democracy.

Most of the lines spoken are direct lifts from Balashaheb's speeches and writings, clearly displaying his presence of mind and how good an orator he was.

The plot is replete with the milestones that occurred during his lifetime, and each event is backed by facts in a cause and effect style, thus making the tale convincing.

Though Nawazuddin Siddiqui embodies Balashaheb but he doesn't manage to not transcend his source material or Balashaheb's blazing spirit. He is more understated and demure in his disposition.

Amrita Rao is effortlessly convincing as Balasaheb's wife Meenatai. The rest of the supporting cast has a strong similarity to the characters they portray.

While each moment in the film is simple and realistic and the fluidity of the narrative taut, the end is rather abrupt. But, the promise of a sequel is what keeps the spirits high while leaving the auditorium.

Overall, this film is notches better than any of the previous movies offering a glimpse into Balasaheb's life.

I’ll rate the Movie: 3.5/5

Link to my full review post → Thackeray Movie Review