Reviews

Well.......before the release of the film all I had heard was that it is inspired by Memento considering the whole memory loss and the tattoos. Well I has seen Memento and loved it. Never the less I gave Ghajini a chance. When I sat down to see it, I expected to see some thriller but instead it turned out to be a disappointment. I think no one should expect a hardcore thriller because it's not even close. It's a romantic film masquerading as a thriller. The trailers which promised a thrill didn't. Although one can say that it was a good film as far as the romantic part is concerned. The 'plot device'- short term memory loss with the theme could have done wonders but it seemed it had only been used to start and then sum up the entire film. It seemed shallow to my expectations and Aamir Khan certainly did not live up to his expectations. The only reason it grossed so well in India is because the Indian audience appreciate romantic films and does not care if the film has depth or not (Exeptions not counted). So, people saw romance with a new theme and there goes another hit! Never the less , performances were above average and the story line went fine.

Some points just remained touched- Like what is his daily routine like? What happens to him after his has killed the murderer? Will He still have a purpose in life? And if he remembers only parts of the incident then why is he always angry or irritated or blunt? Shoudn't he be a little to the 'normal' side considering he knows he has short term memory loss?

People really shouldn't compare Memento and Ghajini. Memento is a thriller, is philosophical and 'deep'. Ghajini on the other had has an entirely different story, theme remaining the same, is a film that tries to tell a story about 'love'.

It's undoubtedly one of the finest works of cinema directed my Sidney Lumet. The actors portray the characters that they depict so wonderfully with such brilliance that one tends to get totally engrossed in the film and script. The script should be appreciated for it's simplicity- 12 Jurors and just one room. The audience gets tense and sweats in suspense as the final verdict comes closer. And also a great work of camera is done by Boris Kauffman where he makes the screen less wide as the end approaches that the viewer too gets the feel of the tension and the claustrophobia. It's intriguing to know how 12 different people come together and use their varied experiences to come to their final verdict.

Neil Nitin Mukesh is so much better when he talks less. His narration in particular sucks. This is just below above average. A bad performance by almost all, except Bipasha who did relatively better than others around her. Some things in the film are way too cheesy for me to stand! This just does not have any depth at all. Just when I thought that Bollywood was ready to make good thriller, here goes another disappointment.The concept of the film can be appreciated only to the extend that it exists but nothing has been done to utilize it. What I thought was a promotional song, actually turned out to be in the film. Some things just don't make sense in the film, absolutely blunt. These people have no idea what thrillers!

Now this is one film that that is philosophical, funny, entertaining and not just for kids but for all ages. No matter how predictable the story maybe, it still keeps you glued to your seat plus the moral "there is no secret recipe" makes you want to believe in your self , no matter how hopeless, obsessed or how much idealistic you are about anything. The movies is well targeted , keeping in mind that one is aiming for all age groups. There is animation for kids, there action for teenagers and there is a moral for the adults to impart to their young ones , who plan to sit beside them and watch it and also for the youth to realize that no mater what anyone says the only two things important are Focus and Perseverance. The animation is one of the best in recent times and the colors in the movie have been well chosen considering the whole "china- look" and the kung fu theme, these keep your eyes constantly on the screen. The humour is typical Jack Black -casual, silly and goofy which makes look like a one that has a hanger stuck inside. But one thing different about this film is that, on top of all this one really attaches himself to the characters which are all so varied. Again one of the most common things used in films is how characters of comics or fantasies are basically animals, this is done because nature itself is so varied and one can easily identify each one characteristics by the animal it is, Panda- fat hence perceived as lazy or slow, Tiger- Furious and Strong, Mantis - Small yet fast and clever , Snake- Focus, vigilance and reflexes and Monkey- Fast, flexible and active, relatively less furious. These characters take you on a journey filled with dreams ,aspirations and fun.

Review by Scenes

1) Oogway Dies

To me this scene marks, the point where Shifu has to take a major decision and believe not only in himself but also in his master. In is after this moment he realises that he can train Po, he only has to guide and nurture him. The scene is very well shot, specially when Oogway dies and the petals seem to take him way, this I think also represents that we all are part of mother nature and that one day we shall all turn and get mixed in to the very elements of the world- fire ,water, earth and air.

2) Po's training

This is one scene, where there is a a lot fun, it's filled with action, very attractive animation

and it also represents how there is always a way to make a person learn and understand, one just has to know the art of doing so. As in this case it was food, so reaching someone through the things that can motivate and makes him focus him is essential. In the end , after the training when he finally gives the dumpling to Shifu, this shows that when a person has self -actualized , he rises over petty pleasures.

3) Tai Lung's Escape

This is very well written and shot. This makes the audience feel thrilled and tense at the same moments as Lung escapes. The prison looks all the more mystical and intense by keeping the contrast low and making it go underground.

4) Opening Scene (Dream)

The opening scene begins with Po's dream, which represents the inner desire of a fan or a person who is so idealistic. The dream has people shouting "awesome" and the five saying to Po ,"we should hang out". This represents that Po wanted to know 'the five' and be like them, he wanted people to like him and see him at the magnificent one.

5) The Dragon Scroll

It is Ironic how the thing perceived to be legendary and to be known to also the paranormal is just about believing in one's self. In the scene when Po gets the Dragon Scroll, it is shot is a way that that shows the it is the most prized possession one can get and only one person can have it. But the truth is anyone can achieve , if he/she wishes to believe.