MOVIE REVIEW

JOHN WICK

  Directors: David Leitch, Chad Stahelski
Writer:  Derek Kolstad
Stars: Keanu Reeves, Michael Nyqvist, Alfie Allen
Strength: Action sequences, screenplay and production values
Weakness: The story is a bit too simple and predictable
Runtime: 101 minutes
Rating: 3.5/5

Plot: An ex-hitman comes out of retirement to track down the gangsters that took everything from him.
Review: John Wick has been dubbed the comeback movie for Keanu Reeves, who has not been involved in any major action project since the multi-billion dollar Matrix movies where he plays Neo. And to a very large extent, John Wick has succeeded in doing just that. The movie is something special, something quite different. It takes as much time setting up elaborate action sequences as it does the world with which it all takes place in. It is cooler than any other recent attempt at noir. We are shown a criminal underworld where, if you are connected, many powerful people know who you are and show you respect. John Wick was connected but he got out. He is the rare killer who has found peace, and he is grateful for that peace. Some young kids, not knowing who John Wick really is, steal that from him and he does what he does best, he wages a one man war against the Russian Mafia. It might sound like the film takes quite a leap but the presentation brings it to a point where it all makes sense. The motives of John and the people who get in the way of his bullets are all very clear, even if it does come across as rather simple. That's the plot at its most basic. Then there's the action. The film is directed by Reeve's stuntman from The Matrix, so this guy knows action. There are sequences that flow so smoothly it puts other action films and their quick cuts to shame. Keanu moves so fluidly throughout the film and comes across as such a natural that the only disappointment is that we have not seen him like this in a long time. Ian McShane and Willem Dafoe played their roles very well, fitting in with the rest of the values of the movie. The movie gets dark at times but overall it is quite fun, not very chipper, but fun. I cannot recommend this movie enough. I believe it is a must see for action fans and for anyone looking for something a bit different from the usual fare.

Reviewed by Zakir Mushtaque

***

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Directors: Farah Khan
Writers: Althea Kaushal, Farah Khan
Stars: Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, Abhishek Bachchan, Vivaan Shah
Runtime: 180 minutes
Strength: Great production values, catchy songs
Weakness: Predictable story and mediocre screenplay
Rating: 3/5

Plot: A team of losers win the love of millions in their quest to pull off the biggest diamond heist ever.
Review: In Happy New Year, a team of criminal masterminds are on the hunt for diamonds, are they participate in a dancing competition to maintain their cover. The movie is a complete Shah Rukh Khan film loaded with all his trademark moves. Farah Khan's choice of genre seems to be a full proof plan for box office success. The movie combines two of Bollywood's favourite themes:  dancing and heists, and the movie earned a record Rs. 45 crore on the opening day of its release!  The story of the film is extremely predictable, and its first half is quite slow. The three hour movie picks up pace in the latter half, and the entrance of Deepika is a sight for sore eyes. The acting performances were good, and there were a few laughs throughout the film. Previously Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika shared screen space in films like Om Shanti Om and Chennai Express, and both were mega hits. It would be no surprise if their chemistry alone sells tickets. Farah Khan is one of the few female directors who have broken the myth that a woman can't helm masala movies. The songs were upbeat and will definitely be used as dance numbers again and again. The one thing that can be expected from Farah Khan – SRK film, is grandeur. Happy New Year captures the lavishness of Dubai in all its lit-up glory. As the movie is the Diwali release of this year, the extravagant sets, extravagant fireworks and the colours make the movie a visual treat. The movie seems to be larger-than life. It is true that Shah Rukh Khan is in the best physical form of his career in this film, but the same isn't true about the entire premise of the film. But, that being said, Happy New Year is definitely a must watch for Shah Rukh fans and lovers of the Indian cinema who are looking for light-hearted entertainment!

Reviewed by Mehnaj Kabir

***

Classic Review

GODZILLA (1954)

Director: Ishirô Honda
Writers:  Takeo Murata, Ishirô Honda
Stars: Takashi Shimura, Akihiko Hirata, Akira Takarada
Runtime: 96 minutes

Plot: American nuclear weapons testing results in the creation of a seemingly unstoppable, dinosaur-like beast.
Review: Yes! This is Genesis. This is where the folkloric reputation began. This is still the benchmark by which all future iterations of this movie is judged. Since his introduction in 1954, Godzilla, from Toho Studios, is one of the most recognizable monsters along with Dracula, Frankenstein and King Kong.  With over 20 films spanning 50 years, Godzilla is a Japanese National Treasure and loved by millions across the world. Godzilla never started out tongue in cheek and corny. It began with the most serious of intentions and that was to provoke thought and provide a perspective of modern history regarding man and his struggle to best Mother Nature. Gojira, loosely translated into “Godzilla”, is full of deep metaphor and obvious subtext. The monster is a large, destructive, and irradiated dinosaur that awakens to exist for the sole purpose of destroying mankind with his formidable radioactive breath and big feet. The film is beautifully photographed by Masao Tamai and there are incredible pans of fiery devastation and complete suffering. The Japanese see Gojira as a force of nature to be accepted if not reckoned with. At times the movie even takes on an Avant garde air. Akira Ifukube's eerie music is hauntingly reflective and appropriate. There is one particular scene that is so well done it can bring a tear to your eye. It takes place the day after Gojira's first attack and the country is mourning. There is a beautiful shot of Japanese children singing in a large temple and the camera pans the destruction. Director Ishiro Honda lets the scene play out slowly and emotionally with profound results. Despite it being a movie from the 1950s, it excels at being a dark and horrifying drama about the atomic bomb, told from a country that experienced it first-hand. After 60 years, Godzilla still remains as an all-time classic.

Reviewed by S.M. Intisab Shahriyar