Viraj H (virooo)

A movie hard to digest due to its oversimplifcation of Indian Culture, Art and Politics that is rather complex in reality. Like most Hollywood movies this shows the darker side of the nation ignoring the vibrance that this country holds. However, the movie is beautifully shot and is fast paced. The transition to flashbacks and mythology is seamless. The raw action will keep you glued. If a sequel is ever made it should focus on the brighter side of India.

Rating a 5 star very judiciously. Way better than RRR. John is an unlucky actor. Best of his performances always go unnoticed. After the ludicrous Satyamev Jayate 2, wasn't really sure what to expect from a super soldier movie. Think that's the reason this movie did not perform well in the box office. But they have somehow pulled it of smartly. The CGI don't feel like an overkill, the script is crisp and presents logic for tech that in real world would feel illogical, especially in India. A must watch for all JA fans.

Much needed masala dose after 2+ years of pandemic-induced depression and watching 'Content' obsessed movies. The film plot is not perfect and nothing very creative. The entry shots of Akshay strikingly resemble that of Sudeeps from the Kannada Movie 'The Villain' including the background whistle. One hospital scene has been shamelessly borrowed from Fast and Furious which mimics Jason Statham's 'Payback' sequence in a desi way. But all is forgivable, thanks to the legendary Akshay Kumar who effortlessly portrays the unpredictable gangster, Bachhan Pandey. You literally keep pondering on what the character is going to do next.

Sorry. Not getting carried away by the world going Ga Ga about this movie. For the entire 3 hours, it reminded me of my childhood chor-police game, I used to play with my best friend. The protagonists first become friends then become adversaries and then again become friends for the Independence movement. And suddenly out of no context one takes Lord Rama's avatar with infinite bows in his quiver. Realising that his bow can't stop the British soldiers' bullets, he starts hooking hand grenades to his arrows, reminding you of Rambo. Then Bheema starts throwing/tossing motorbikes left right and center. The visual effects are flawed unlike Bahubali; Most of the structures feel like they directly came out of the latest Age of Empires game. What's Good? The visual treat you get during the overly dramatic action scenes. The forests, splinters flying, water droplets, particles and other minor details that have not been neglected. Then Jr. NTRs acting. Wouldn't be wrong to say that it's just he who actually keeps the movie intact. Then there's spectacular dancing. Something which you will take with you out of the theatres and surely try mastering in the bath the next day! Overall I definitely don't want this one to represent Indian cinema. Or maybe Bahubali raised my expectations.

Our Ramayana is too sacrosanct to be offended by a few blunders. The movie is too good with most sequences and blunders with a few. The movie begins with a goose-bumpy soundtrack with artistic visuals of the characters. The sequences like the one in which Shabari appears are too good and something never seen before. A visual treat in most parts, but a few parts have shabby execution making the Vanar Sena and Lankan Ogers appear a direct port from the games. The only blunder I see in the movie is Raavana using a giant bat to kidnap Sitaji. A blunder is a blunder. The movie also skips some key stories in order to match the three-hour mark. People so particular about details need to watch The Legend of Hanuman, which spans over 3 parts. Now a few arguments need to be debunked. 1. Lord Rama didn't have a mustache: Seriously? Get over the North Indian narrative that Bollywood has brainwashed us with. Most of our lords are not fair (Shyama Kaya) and also have mustaches. 2. Ravana didn't eat meat as he was a Brahmana | Ravana didn't touch Sitaji: Ravana having 10 heads is a metaphor. Historians have tried to decode it in many ways. The one used in the movie seems to show his split personality. Watch the movie SPLIT. He becomes a good being when he wishes to and a rakshasa when desired. In fact, in the movie, he also hilariously pleads with Sita. He writes Ravana Samhita and plays his Veena (Ravanahaththa). Regarding non-veg and Ravana not touching Sita, critics need to read the Ramaya again. 3. Lanka shown dark: Sone ki Lanka is again a metaphor. Like sone ki chidiya. Lanka was a technologically advanced nation, and so was its economy. A part of Sri Lankans still revere/worship Ravana and consider Vibhishan to be a traitor 4. Sarama suggests Sanjeevini to save Lakshmana: Her existence in Ramayana itself is debatable. Different stories portray her differently, and her tales are a bit twisted when Trijata comes into the picture. So nothing to get offended about. Overall the movie should be watched with a few disclaimers.

After watching The Legend of Sword, I never ignore Guy Ritchie. Contrary to his other movies, this one starts with a slow pace. I mean too slow. However not that surprising especially if you have seen 12Strong. We also get to witness the signature jump cuts, inverted POV though, in the form of John Kinley's flashbacks. Overall a must watch. The movie silently taunts the political decisions that were made by the US government in Afghanistan by portraying the commaradre and indebtedness of the millitary personnel towards the locals.