BackKi & Ka, Kung Fu Panda 3 hit screens
Ki & Ka, is let down by its mixed messaging and choppy texture, while Kung Fu Panda 3 restores a winning lightness of touch to the saga
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New Delhi: Ki & Ka, R. Balki’s romantic comedy starring Kareena Kapoor and Arjun Kapoor, is let down by its mixed messaging and choppy texture though portions of the film are fun, broad-minded and considerably path-breaking for Bollywood, says Firstpost. The film is so taken in by its concept of a stay-at-home husband and his careerist wife that it rarely rises above it to become a fully fleshed out story about fully fleshed out people. However, a lot of its messaging is positive and radical, not just by Bollywood standards but by Indian social norms at large. Read more here
Bollywoodlife.com agrees the film has its moments but is mostly stuck between long-drawn monologues on the characters’ personal beliefs and values, none of which are ever explained by a backstory. But the lead pair is a delight to watch, especially Kareena Kapoor, whose one outburst scene is a painful reminder of why she’s missed playing significant parts on the big screen. Read more here
For the Hollywood fans, there is 3D American-Chinese computer-animated action comedy Kung Fu Panda 3, directed by Jennifer Yuh Nelson and Alessandro Carloni featuring the voices of Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman, J.K. Simmons and Jackie Chan. Variety magazine states quite simply that emotionally, dramatically and most of all visually, this delightful trilogy capper is almost as generously proportioned as its cuddly warrior hero. It restores a winning lightness of touch to the saga while bringing its long-running themes of perseverance and self-knowledge to satisfying fruition. Read more here
The Hollywood Reporter adds that the central characters in the generally pleasing, terrific-looking entry in the Oscar-nominated franchise still have all the right moves despite the five-year hiatus. This is one of those very rare animated features that completely justifies its 3D glasses and the voice cast truly delivers. Read more here
There is also American science fiction adventure film Allegiant, the third instalment in The Divergent series, directed by Robert Schwentke and starring Shailene Woodley, Theo James and Jeff Daniels. Rolling Stone says the film is another one of those cynical Hollywood cash grabs that takes the third book in a bestselling juvie-lit trilogy and stretches that last book into two movies so audiences are tricked into paying twice for egregiously padded piffle. Schwentke and his trio of writers haven’t given a single reason to hang around for the last instalment, due out next year. Read more here
For an ongoing series about breaking free from categorization, these movies really enjoy denying their characters forward momentum, says A.V Club. In fact, the film isn’t just adhering to a formula; it’s carefully following a recipe designed to offset any good ingredients that get mixed in there by mistake. Read more here
In the south, Telugu film Savitri, directed by Pavan Sadineni and starring Nara Rohit and Nanditha, is a romantic family drama that proves to be an entertaining watch, says Indread. Both the lead and supporting performances are impressive and the songs come in at the right time, without appearing superfluous. Read more here
Telugu romantic film Nannu Vadili Neevu Polevule, starring Balakrishna Kola and Wamiqa Gabbi and directed by Gitanjali Selvaragavan, has nothing new going for it and is brought down by its predictable plotline, says andhraheadlines.com. The actors bring little to their roles and the editing could’ve been far better. Read more here
A few releases this week haven’t elicited any reviews yet. These include Tamil mystery film Oru Melliya Kodu, Ram Gopal Varma’s Telugu action thriller Attack and Marathi film Cheater.
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