Connect with us

Movie Reviews

Moana 2 movie review: Disney’s sequel is visually breathtaking but fails to recreate the magic of first part

Published

on

Moana 2 movie review: Disney’s sequel is visually breathtaking but fails to recreate the magic of first part

The makers have made Moana 2 a visual spectacle but failed to add depth to the emotions of the characters as the film is marred by the unidimensional and predictable storyline

read more

Star cast (Voiceovers): Auliʻi Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda, Rose Matafeo, David Fane, Hualālai Chung, Awhimai Fraser, and Gerald Ramsey

Directors: David Derrick Jr., Jason Hand, Dana Ledoux Miller

Well, the first part of Moana was like a breath of fresh air for me, and I still cherish it as one of my favourites thanks to its emotional depth and other amazing elements. After a gap of eight years, the second part of our beloved is set to hit the screens, and while the expectations are sky-high, with a heavy heart, I have to admit that it fails to recreate the magic of the first part.

Talking about the plot, _
Moana 2 s_tarts after 3 years from where the first part concluded. Our beloved wayfinder Moana is hunting for more islands like her own Motunui, where people reside. Amid this, she gets an unexpected call from her ancestors, who inform her about the cursed island of Motufetu, which is deserted by the power-hungry god Nalo.

Advertisement

As the world is disconnected due to Motufetu being submerged in the ocean, Moana along with her small group of unique and weird people is on a mission to find Motufetu, which will reconnect all the people. On the journey, she also finds her old friend Maui, who claims himself to be a demi-god. Well, will they be able to save the island and beat god Nalo? For that, you have to watch Moana 2 on the big screen.

Honestly, the makers have made Moana 2 a visual spectacle but failed to add depth to the emotions of the characters and are marred by the unidimensional and predictable storyline. While the sequel is ahead of its predecessor in terms of VFX but lacks the magic of the first part.

The film doesn’t have any high points or wow moments as the challenges faced by the limited and prominent characters don’t emerge as an engrossing experience. Despite these problems, I still feel Moana 2 will be a delightful experience for kids between 10-12 years, who will love the cheerfulness and larger-than-life portrayals.

On the whole, Moana 2 is not a bad film but nowhere close to its prequel.

Moana 2 is releasing on 29th November

Advertisement

Rating: 2.5 (out of 5 stars)

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Movie Reviews

‘Sikander’ reviews out: Fans hail Salman Khan’s ‘magnificent’ performance, praises movie for emotional depth

Published

on

‘Sikander’ reviews out: Fans hail Salman Khan’s ‘magnificent’ performance, praises movie for emotional depth
‘Sikander’ has finally stormed the theatres, and fans are not getting enough of his swag! Superstar Salman Khan made a brilliant comeback with A. Murugadoss’s epic action thriller on Sunday. Soon after Bhai arrived with a bang on the big screen, fans went feral. Many Salman Khan enthusiasts shared clips of the star’s grand entry and gravity-defying stunts and also praised his earnest performance.

One fan said that ‘Sikander’ may be Khan’s best movie to date.

“Sikandar totally blows Salman bhai’s last few films out of the water; that entrance was insane! It’s got action, emotions, and the songs are pretty good too…” Reads the comment.”

A London-based Salman Khan, who watched first day first show, described the actor’s performance as “magnificent.”

“Just watched #Sikandar in London, and it was an incredible film and experience!!
@BeingSalmanKhan delivers a magnificent performance, supported by excellent BGM, imagery and plot! Excellent cast, including @iamRashmika ! The whole cinema was bouncing. #SikandarReview #SalmanKhan..” read the comment.

Advertisement

Another shared a clip of the audience going wild, clapping and hooting as Salman Khan enters the scene and gears up to beat the baddies to a pulp. “The moment #SalmanKhan steps into frame, the theater echoes with deafening cheers and whistles as fans go wild, screaming ‘Salman Bhai’ at the top of their lungs, welcoming their beloved hero to the silver screen! #Sikandar #SalmanKhan #SikandarReview,” Read the comment.

Another fan gushed, “One of the best entry scenes after Tiger Zinda Hai.”
Sikandar’s story and BGM. Solid performance, solid story, one of the best films of Salman Khan.”

Another praised the movie for it’s emotional depth along with fantastic action sequences. “Watched Sikandar and I’m blown away! Salman Khan’s most powerful performance yet, a perfect blend of emotional depth and mind-blowing action. Rashmika’s role was amazing too, and the music and BGM set everything on fire. A solid 9/10 masterpiece! #SikandarReview #SalmanKhan” #Sikandar..”

About ‘Sikander’

Helmed by A. Murugadoss, renowned for directing the 2008 Aamir Khan blockbuster Ghajini, Sikander unfolds the tale of Sanjay Rajkot, the ruler of Rajkot, Gujarat, who is also known by the moniker Sikander. A man intolerant of injustice, his world shatters when his wife, Saisri, tragically loses her life in a bomb blast.

Advertisement

Upon discovering that she had donated her organs to those in need, Sikander embarks on a deeply emotional journey to meet the recipients, navigating grief and redemption along the way.

Mounted on a lavish scale, the film boasts a staggering budget of ₹200 crore, according to reports. Alongside Aamir Khan in the titular role, the ensemble cast includes Rashmika Mandanna, Kajal Aggarwal, Sharman Joshi, Prateik Babbar, and veteran Tamil actor Sathyaraj in significant roles.

Continue Reading

Movie Reviews

Veera Dheera Sooran Review: Impactful But Drags

Published

on

Veera Dheera Sooran Review: Impactful But Drags

BOTTOM LINE
Impactful But Drags

RATING
2.5/5

CENSOR
U/A, 2h 42m


vikram-veera-dheera-sooran---part-2-telugu-movie-reviewWhat Is the Film About?

Set in Medicharla village during the jathara time, the story of Veera Dheera Sooran happens over the night. The SP Arunagiri (SJ Suryah) is fed up with Ravi (Prudhvi Raj) and his son Kannan (Suraj Venjaramoodu) and wants to encounter them. Ravi sensing the SP’ plan, asks Kaali’s (Vikram) help to save his son.

Who is Kaali? What’s his background, and how does he help Ravi? The movie’s basic plot is what happens to these characters over the course of the night.

Advertisement

Performances

Vikram is in his element, playing a role that suits his age and has no external burdens to showcase him in a wildly different manner.

It is a simple yet intense act, and Vikram does it with ease all the way. There is drama and action in equal doses, along with a small mix of fun, too. The actor delivers, as usual, besides getting a few moments to show his versatile acting skills. Some of the scenes in the second half are testimony to these. Nothing is done over the top, and everything is well under control here.

Dushara Vijayan plays the wife character. She, too, gets decent footage in the male-dominated set-up, apart from sharing the emotional anchor with Vikram. Whenever she is given a chance, she delivers even if it feels like going slightly overboard at times.


director-sa-arun-kumarAnalysis

SU Arun Kumar of Chithha fame directs Veera Dheera Sooran. It is a rural action thriller interlaced with drama. The whole narrative taking place overnight gives it a unique touch.

Advertisement

The movie opens on a confusing note initially. It takes time to settle down, as multiple things seem to happen simultaneously. They are grippingly executed, though, which makes one curious as to what is happening instead of scratching head for the same reason.

The pacing is slow, yet the narrative feels cacophonous initially. It is when the proper motives are revealed and stakes are set that we finally get comfortable with the happenings.

The core point is simple, and once the main track starts, things heat up pretty quickly. The drama escalates within the given duration, and we are engaged in the proceedings despite the pacing issues. The minor exchanges involving the major characters are crucial here.

For example, when Vikram and SJ Suryah meet each other for the first time, the way the whole sequence is handled leaves one with thrill and joy, simultaneously. It is not the case throughout the duration, though. Scenes like this come from time to time, and that helps a lot in the overall scheme of things.

When we get into the flashback mode after almost an hour and a half, a massive sense of drag is felt, but the director brings the interval in the most unexpected and quirky way possible. It makes one look forward to the rest.

Advertisement

As things are paused right in the middle, everything is resumed as it is post-intermission. The entire Dileep block is neatly executed and helps us understand some of the actions in the first half. However, things stagnate post this neat portion. It feels as if the moments are happening in a loop, missing a smooth flow.

The scenes are lengthy, and they end with a punch. If the desired effect is achieved, the entire sequence feels fine, but when it doesn’t, the whole stretch looks like a drag. We have this issue majorly in the second half.

By the time we reach pre-climax, it feels like an eternity. And it is far from over as the climax is yet to arrive. However, the good thing with the ending is that the punch is delivered. It gives that little positivity that helps one overlook the lengthy stuff that happened before it.

More than anything, the major issue is uneven tone as the director tries too many things despite the whole thing looking simple. He wants the movie to be realistic, yet incorporates typical mass moments. There are sappy emotions and traces of black comedy.

Despite the length, inconsistent narration and drag, the major reason for one to hook into the proceedings is the characterisation of major players. The way these characters interact with one another holds attention despite the issues, in general.

Advertisement

Overall, Veera Dheera Sooran offers a fresh packaging of a routine premise seen usually in rural, semi-rural backdrop fares. It works well in parts, also there is a lot of lag, making it an average fare, in the end. Vikram holds it together, and if you like him, give it a try.


dushara-vijayan-veera-dheera-sooran-part-2-telugu-movie-reviewPerformances by Others Actors

Apart from Vikram, we have SJ Suryah, Suraj Venjaramoodu and Prudhvi Raj playing key roles. SJ Suryah, who is the form of his life, delivers yet again. The good thing, additionally, here is that he doesn’t go over the top much. They are present, but spaced out with normal, intense acting taking the front for a change.

Suraj Venjaramoodu and Prudhvi Raj, playing the father and son duo, are good. The former is reliable, whereas the latter surprises. The Telugu audience is used to seeing Prudhvi in comic roles. To see him do such a serious part without any comic undertones is an eye-opener. The rest of the casting, which involves small bits and pieces parts is also fine.


music-director-gv-prakashMusic and Other Departments?

GV Prakash Kumar provides the music and background score for the movie. There are few songs, to begin with, and the ones they have give a pleasant vibe. The background score is better, and it elevates the proceedings whenever necessary. The cinematography is good, capturing the rural festival atmosphere and the natural, dark mood. The editing is okay. The writing is also fine, despite actually standing out.


Highlights?

Advertisement

Direction

Performances

Casting

Drawbacks?

Uneven Narrative

Advertisement

Drags At Time

Length


sj-suryah-veera-dheera-sooran-part-2-telugu-movie-reviewDid I Enjoy It?

Yes, In Parts

Will You Recommend It?

Yes, but have expectations in check, especially considering the run time and tone.

Advertisement

Veera Dheera Sooran Movie Review by M9

This Week Releases on OTT – Check ‘Rating’ Filter
Continue Reading

Movie Reviews

New movie from Ex Machina director lands more than 90% on Rotten Tomatoes with reviews calling it

Published

on

New movie from Ex Machina director lands more than 90% on Rotten Tomatoes with reviews calling it

Writer and director Alex Garland maintains his impressive record of checking critics’ boxes following the reception of his hard-hitting movie Warfare, which at the time of writing has reached 94% on Rotten Tomatoes. Based on the real-life experiences of former U.S. Navy SEAL Ray Mendoza, who co-wrote and co-directed the film, Warfare follows in real time a Navy SEAL platoon venturing through insurgent territory and the relentless, nerve-shredding operation that unfolds there. Boasting a star-studded cast that includes Cosmo Jarvis (Shōgun), Will Poulter (The Bear), Joseph Quinn (Fantastic Four), and Noah Centineo (The Recruit), the film has been praised for its immense realism and relentless depiction of soldiers in battle, following on from his already hard-hitting drama, Civil War.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, “Garland is working in peak form and with dazzling technical command in what’s arguably his best film since his debut, Ex Machina.” The Times says, “This is a movie that’s as difficult to watch as it is to forget. It’s a sensory blitz, a percussive nightmare, and a relentless assault on the soul.” Meanwhile, MovieWeb says, “Warfare is a nuts-and-bolts account of ferocious combat, bloody, brutal, and terrifying. It is a visceral cinematic experience that will absolutely floor you.”

Warfare | Official Trailer HD | A24 – YouTube


Watch On

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending