Movie : Robinnhood
Language : Malayalam
Theater : Padma
Date : 24th Sep, 2009 - Thursday
Review
Youthful energy has always been captivating and energizing and when it happens in Malluwood, where it has been always lacking in the recent years, it can be refreshing as well.
Joshiy's new movie 'Robinnhood' (thats how it spells in the title) tries to ride the wave of youth on the back of an interesting ATM Robbery scam. 'Robinnhood' tries to be what you call in quintessential terms a 'youthful time pass flick' and mix high tech robbery to it. The percentage to which the movie has succeeded, lies in the territory of being debatable.
Youth Trio Gone Sour
During the first 15-20 minutes of 'Robinnhood', you feel that its almost like the 3 pronged clash that you famously loved in Joshiy's last 20-20. And it makes you feel happy because Joshiy is quite good at that and these youthful stars were missing anyways from the previous version. But sadly it doesn't last for long. Jayasurya is sidelined in a role which is a police officer who comes and goes once in a while. Its not a worthwhile role for him. The movie is a two way story between Prithviraj and Naren for most parts. We can safely say that 'Jayasurya is wasted' in this role.
The movie cannot boast of one decisive superlative lead actor performance. Prithviraj is good and has amazing screen presence. He is the hero of the movie but he doesn't run away with it as in 'Puthiya Mugham'.Naren is having almost an equal footing as Prithviraj puts in a unexpectedly competent performance but he neither is the clincher performance as well. They both relish amidst each other and as longs as they are chasing each other, the movie interests you.
A Good First Half
'Robinnhood' promises a lot in the first half. Its a logically well explained ATM Robbery story with technology part of it shown beautifully. Joshiy needs pat on the back for the depiction of the technical robbery. Until the interval, Prithviraj and Naren are hunting for each other and the movie keeps you glued to your seats. The interval point though not a high point is also fine.
Average Second Half
As the movie unfurls after the interval, things start to go downhill. The script takes the predictable route to justify the robbery done by the protagonist, with a much clichéd 'PAST' episode. And soon, twists become predictable. Movie completely moves in to its lowest points when Naren no longer hunts Prithviraj but starts saving him for the 'friendship'. So, it turns in to the usual one villain bashing end but the climax episode is cleverly planned and shown on screen, to say the least.
The Saviour
There is only one Saviour for 'Robinnhood' and thats undoubtedly Joshiy. He keeps you hooked for at least 70% of the movie and needs applause for the same. The way he has portrayed the technical portions of the robbery needs praise. The two character play and behind the back hunt between Prithviraj and Naren also needs applause. To be a veteran and yet to be up to date with a techno savvy movie, deserves kudos.
Music - The Downer
But how you would wish that Joshiy had some better music sense. From the moment you see 'M.Jayachandran' for the music credits in the opening, you smell foul. In such a hep youthful theme that is the last thing you would want to do. And that is what exactly happens. None of the 3 tracks are even average. The Caribbean Salsa party song (Sa Mosa) is the worst you would have heard of that kind.
Deepak Dev showed you how good music can lift an average movie with 'Puthiya Mugham'. Watch 'Robinnhood' to understand the reverse. There is not even a decent signature tune for the 'Prince of Thieves'. Youthful hep techno movie with no good music, now thats what you call a 'downer'!
Of the rest of the cast, Bhavana is for eye candy. Samvratha does the second heroine as usual. Biju Menon is his usual self. Jayasurya would have been fine not doing this one.
To Sum it all up, 'Robinnhood' has an impressive first half and an average second half. As long as the hunt lasts, its interesting but soon the 'justification from the past' arrives in the most clichéd set up.Climax is well arranged.
Verdict - 3.25 / 5 as a RATING
'ABOVE AVERAGE ENTERTAINER' as an opinion
Robinnhood - 'The Prince of Thieves who couldn't steal the hearts'.
Movie: Loud Speaker
Language : Malayalam
Date : 22-Sep-09, Tuesday
Review
Nostalgia, Camaraderie, Innocence, Simplicity and Humility are good emotions of the human heart. Director Jayaraj plays wonderfully with these good emotions of the human heart to portray an endearing tale of friendship between an organ donor, Mike (played by Mammotty) and his patient recipient, Menon (played by Sasikumar). Jayaraj tries to strike a poignant balance between the ease at which he wants his story to unfurl and the commercial aspects of entertainment. The director succeeds to a great extent in striking this balance. 'Loud Speaker' and its characters leave the mark of an intelligent director who wants to try a middle path of story telling, within the realms of art house and mainstream cinema.
'Mike' is Marvelous
This year we already have seen a fascinating manifestation of innocence by Mohanlal as Shivankutty in Blessy's 'Bharamaram'. This time its Mammotty's turn to deliver a stellar of a performance as the simpleton, 'Mike Philippose'. 'Mike' is what they call 'The Son of the Soil'. He is natural, simple and mostly naive in the world of modern fast paced city life. But in each one of us, living in today's times, there lies traces of 'Mike', wherein lies the success of the character. We know at the bottom of our hearts that the inexplicable display of emotions which he shows for the people around, is the right way to live but we shudder at the thought that if we do the same, we would also be regarded as a misfits in today's society, just as 'Mike' in this movie is.
From being the odd man out in the city life to being caring and selfless to others, from being 'senseless' in being loud to the self shattering love for his friend, Mammotty makes each moment of Mike a pleasure to watch.
When you watch him as 'Mike' you would not feel it as an extraordinary performance. The reason is that he does it with so much ease that it looks so simple. Its easily Mammotty's best role and performance for some time now.
Jayaraj - Just Worth It !
The story of 'Loud Speaker' is so simple that there is nothing much to go ga-ga about but the script and screenplay has saved the day for Jayaraj. The way he has created characters like 'Mike' and 'Menon' and other characters in the flat where they stay, is the clincher for this movie. Also, his play with nostalgia and human goodness surely deserves a pat on the back. Music also has been well used. The sequences seem carefully planned, songs well picturised especially the 'Alliyambal' one. Cinematography has been used to enhance the mood many a times.
Other Positives
Songs are befitting the situations. Mammotty singing in 2 of the songs may look a bit amateurish voice but when you consider it as 'Mike' singing it, it looks realistic. 'Alliyambal' is superb and memorably rendered by Vijay Yesudas. Its hard not have a lump in your throat while watching this song on screen. Looks and sounds beautiful. Bijibal's background score is good in parts.Cinematography is really good. Supporting cast and characters have been put in a notable show. Janardhanan, Jagathy, Salim Kumar, Suraj all do competent jobs. Gracy Singh has the same set of expressions as 'Munnabhai MBBS' and is over expressive at times.
Negatives
Now to the negatives. 'Loud Speaker' is not a boring film by any stretch of the imagination. Comedy scenes involving Mike in the first half and in the second are good but at a few instances the comedy looks like forced upon. It goes over the top. Jagathy getting bashed by kids in the Play School, Jagathy's dog bite sequence, Jagathy - Suraj counselling etc are examples where the comedy goes over the top and seems like forced upon. But it never reaches the point of unbearable and most of the gags involving Mike are funny.
Secondly, 'Menon' has an almost equally important screen space as 'Mike'. Considering this, Sasikumar puts in an average performance. Its not a revetting performance as Mammotty's. If it was a top notchperformance by the actor who played 'Menon', then the movie would have rose few notches high. When his past unfurls(which has been unduly delayed as well) one does not empathize with him. Its always with 'Mike's' character that the audience is. Hence the love story of 'Menon' and his return to home look a bit disconnected for the audience. The saving grace is that Mammotty has many a times covered it with his performance.
Thirdly, even at 2 hours and 15 minutes, 'Loud Speaker' feels its length especially towards the later part of second half. A bit intelligent audience may ask questions like 'What is the logic behind the donor being made to stay in a flat for so long without the operation happening?'. Even the date of the operation is shown as getting fixed only in the second half. Once the past of 'Menon' unfurls, the move goes in to a lethargic pace. The portions where he visits his home and then the post operation portions take its own time to unfurl. One would need some patience to sit through these portions. A good 10 minutes can be edited out of the movie.
Fourthly, the sync sound has not come forth effectively. Many dialogues in the first half go inaudible. Audience also needs some time to adjust themselves to this Sync Sound. Lack of clarity has affected many sequences.
Finally, to sum it all up, 'Mike' and 'Loud Speaker' talk of goodness of the human heart which are rare these days. It pulls at your heart strings and if you can have some patience, can be endearing as well.
Its one of the better Malaylalam movies of recent times but the vital question is in this age of ultra fast life, how many would have the patience to value this goodness?
Verdict - 3.5/5 as a RATING
GOOD in terms of Opinion
'Loud Speaker' - All about the good things!
Movie : Kaanakanmani
Language : Malayalam
Theatre : Savitha
Date : Sep 06, 2009. Saturday
Review
When you expect a vegeterian meal for a marriage sadhya, you would be surprised to be served with Chinese instead. This is exactly what the family and general audiences watching Akku Akbar's latest movie 'Kaanakanmani' also are bound to feel. You may be expecting a family drama but about 40 minutes in to the movie, you would be surprised to be watching a horror movie instead.
Surprise! Surprise
The above genre shift is surprise which can be taken as a positive. Once you have come to terms with the fact that you are in for a horror movie, the next best thing is to judge 'Kaanakanmani' for what it is. A family based horror movie. You can be a best critique by judging the movie only based on its content and entertainment value, instead of the above genre shift.
A Novel Theme
The theme of abortion and the pain,suffering of the unborn child is a new theme in Malayalam. The way it has been presented in certain portions of the movie is noteworthy. Especially in the second half, after the initial song,the next 10-15 minutes which shows how the couple arrive at the decision of abortion and how the doctor explains the inhumanity involved is very much relatable and handled well.
Direction, or lack of it?
'Kaanakanmani' is a very good example of how a novel theme can be presented in an irritating manner. Director seems to have the above theme about which he is very passionate, alright, but the antics shown to drive home the point, make you squirm in your seats. The girl child (played notably by Niveditha) keeps switching between herself and the ghost of the unborn, without any provocative situation. This looks tacky. May be the director should see movies like 'Manichitrathazhu' more carefully, where a complex theme is presented so beautifully.
After 30 mins in the second half, all hell breaks looks and the movie becomes a directionless horror flick. There are some genuine scares but then again most of it seems cliche and oft repeated.By the end you do not care what the theme is of what happens to the family. Its difficult to sit through.
Performances
Niveditha as 'Anagha' is good but she is not outstanding. Her efforts to understand the character needs to lauded at such young age. Jayaram is nothing special as is Padmapriya who needs to seriously look at her colour sense in costumes. Biju Menon is wasted. Vijayaraghavan and Suraj are good releif.
Music has nothing to cheer. Camera is competant. Special effects not up to the mark.
The whole idea of horror being planned and created at an isolated home sans to impress and is very recent in the movie 'Winter' with the same hero. The same theme could have been presented in a much better way in a natural setting like say 'Bhooth'.
Apart from the novel theme and some moments here and there 'Kaanamanmani' is a painful watch.
Verdict - 2/5 as rating and 'BELOW AVERAGE' as opinion
'Kaanakanmani' - Mishandled novelty!
Movie : Daddy Cool
Language : Malayalam
Date : Aug 30th, Sunday
Show : 11:30 am
Review
Sometimes good on screen chemistry is what brings a smile on to your face. And this is somewhat the saving grace of Mammotty's new movie 'Daddy Cool'. The actor who has had the history of sharing legendary on screen chemistry with child actors like Baby Shalini, this time around comes back with another version of Daddy - Child Chemistry, with 'Aadhi' notably potrayed by the new child artiste Dhananjay.
Fairly Entertaining
'Daddy Cool' is not a great movie by any means but is a somewhat fair entertainer. It won't hurt you or make you go mad for seeing it. The story is nothing new.But the looks and styling of the movie are contemporary and chick. With production values which are quite alien to the usual Malluwood movies, 'Daddy Cool' presents some freshness in terms of meare viewing splendour.
Music
Music is a decent effort. 'Kadhayoru' shot in Hong Kong looks and sounds cool. The end credits disco song 'Daddy Cool' is also fine and shot well in a much bollywood style. But for the best song was 'Daddy My Daddy'. Dhananjay was awesome in that song and Mammotty looked superb. His 007 take was also really cool.
-Ves
The casting mismatch is the first goofup. Richa Pallod as Mammotty's wife is untolerable in many portions. She could have been easily replaced by someone else.Biju Menon also could have been replaced by a younger face to compliment Radhika.
Second issue is with the script and direction in the second half. The focus on action scenes and the over exaggeration in presentation of these scenes should have been avoided. Each movie and theme has a colour and may be a feel good family movie was turning in to a full blown action movie. This looked a mismatch.
And at the end of it, 'Daddy Cool' has only freshness in terms of looks and an on screen chemistry to offer. Nothing new in what it has to say.
Performances
Mammotty delivers a stylish mint cool performance. He is at ease and looks good. Its one of his better movies in the last 2 years (the rest of them have been that pathetic).He rocks the screen in 007 avatar. He is convincing as the super cool daddy and the lazy cop who keeps boasting about his 'adventures'.Dhananjay as 'Aadhi' is very good and he is one of the sole reasons you may not dislike the movie. He shares some better on screen moments with Mammotty.
Direction is good in parts and average otherwise. Cinematography is breezy and gives a stylish feel to the movie. The opening credits were innovative.
All in all, 'Daddy Cool' has nothing new to say but its visually fresh and showcases good on screen chemistry between the lead cast (Mammotty and Dhananjay).
Verdict - 2.75/5 in terms of Rating
'Fairly Entertaining' as an Opinion
'Daddy Cool' - Good Chemistry works any day!