STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS ("SPACE ODYSSEY")

May 10, 2013

Cast: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana, Benedict Cumberbatch.

Director: JJ Abrams.

Star trek that released in 2009 took us by surprise by it’s quality content and classy execution. Four years later with Star trek Into darkness, JJ Abrams gives us yet another memorable experience.

Kirk (Pine) loses the command of USS Enterprise for violating a dozen rules of the Starfleet in an attempt to save Spock (Quinto) from inside of an erupting volcano in a Class M planet in Nibiru. Right afterwards Khan (Cumberbatch) strikes the Starfleet Archive in London and Kirk and team sets out to kill Khan.

Right from the set-piece in Nibiru you are bombarded with breathtaking visuals and effects. Though such precision in visual effects is a common thing in Abrams’ movies the vision he has for Star trek is something quite unique.

Kirk has the same team with him consisting of Spock, Uhura(Saldana), Bones, Scotty, Chekov and Sulu. The chemistry of the whole crew of USS Enterprise is as sparkling as it was in the first edition and you will enjoy when they are on screen.

Though this is gonna be a treat for the Star trek fans the other section of the audience might complain about the screenplay being not as intellectually satisfying as the first part. But it ensures that the fans familiar with all the characters have one of the best movie outings of the year; this is not to mean that those who haven’t watched the first part will be left in the dark.

If the chemistry between Kirk and Spock was one of the highlights of the first film it is definitely the presence of Benedict Cumberbatch in the second film that is gonna woo the audience. He is spectacular as Khan and completely overshadows Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto whenever they are on screen.

Star trek Into darkness is a compact package offering everything in the right amounts.

Iam giving a 3.5/5 for Star Trek Into Darkness. There is a lot of action, camaraderie, fun, emotion and Benedict Cumberbatch. Go for it!

IMDB Rating

Rating Scale (Out of 5)

Less than 2                   -           Unwatchable.

2    to 2.25                   -           Below average.

2.5 to 2.75                   -           Average.

                                 

3    to 3.25                   -           Good.

3.5 to 3.75                   -           Really Good.

4    to 4.25                   -           Great.

4.5 and above               -          Extraordinary.

                                                                    

MUMBAI POLICE ("BOLD ONE!")

May 10, 2013

Cast: Prithviraj, Jayasurya, Rahman.

Director: Roshan Andrews.

Malayalam cinema rose to greatness mainly because of the bold themes that the filmmakers and actors were ready to experiment with. Mumbai Police comes right out of that stable!

ACP Antony Moses (Prithviraj) who is investigating the murder of his friend ACP Aryan John (Jayasurya) meets with an accident when he is on the brink of solving the case and he loses his memory. Now it’s upto Commissioner Farhan (Rahman) (the third one of the trio popularly called as Mumbai Police by the media) to help Moses recover his memory and solve the case.

Coming from Bobby and Sanjay we expect something different in the screenplay and Oh boy! You get just the same it’s a brilliantly crafted screenplay that teases you every now and then with the whodunit part and keeps you guessing till the very end. After a disappointing Casanova, Roshan Andrews bounces back to show his amazing directorial skills to make Mumbai Police very appealing; slick editing and wonderful cinematography add to it.

ASI Sudhakaran mouths Kerala Police oath by heart when the other officers in Moses’ team need a copy to read it from. Scenes like that and characters like that of Rakhi IPS could have been done away with as they serve no purpose to the plot in any manner. Apart from these minor glitches a few minutes in the middle where the “Mumbai Police” camaraderie is shown might look a bit too long but it may be argued that it is required to establish the core of the plot.

Barring these very few shortcomings it’s precise articulate storytelling and those who love investigation stories are gonna have one helluva time! The way Antony Moses B (as he is called by the doctor after the accident) breaks down the case diary of Antony Moses A is written and executed flawlessly; thanks to the brilliant writing, wonderful performances and top class direction.

When Rahman and Jayasurya do their part perfectly well, Prithviraj simply excels as the mean cold blooded Antony Moses A and the conscientious ethical Antony Moses B.

Kudos; to Roshan Andrews for staying faithful to the script(not even including one song in the film), to Bobby and Sanjay for a brilliant product and finally Prithviraj for taking on such a bold role.

Iam giving a 3.5/5 for Mumbai Police. This is one of the best films that have come out recently and it’s a pretty bold one too. Go for it!

Rating Scale (Out of 5)

Less than 2                   -           Unwatchable.

2    to 2.25                   -           Below average.

2.5 to 2.75                   -           Average.

                                 

3    to 3.25                   -           Good.

3.5 to 3.75                   -           Really Good.

4    to 4.25                   -           Great.

4.5 and above               -          Extraordinary.