Robocop

Rating : 7/10
Release Date : 14th February, 2014
Time : 118 minutes
Director : Jose Padilha; Writer : Joshua Zetumer based on the ’87 screenplay by Edward Neumeier and Michael Miner; Music : Pedro Bromfman
Starring : Joel Kinnaman, Gary Oldman, Michael Keaton, Abbie Cornish, Jackie Earle Haley, Michael K Williams, Jennifer Ehle, Jay Baruchel, Samuel L Jackson, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, John Paul Ruttan, Aimee Garcia, Zach Grenier, Patrick Garrow



For those, who like me, loved / grew up with the ’87 original, there is considerably less soul and lots more techie stuff in this one. The lead character is a lot less likeable too. But, the film makers here, have charted quite a different course here and seem to have set things up quite nicely for a sequel – which should work quite well, given that a lot of the technical details are now out of the way

Most of the narrative coming from a belligerent news show host, Samuel L Jackson, who points out how robots are used increasingly by USA abroad but thanks to an obdurate senator, Zach, they aren’t allowed on home soil. And the Michael Keaton led Omnicorp obviously suffers as a result. After yet another face-off between the Zach and Keaton, the latter is convinced the only way out is to put a man in a suit (why does he have to be injured though is something not quite answered). And when Joel is taken down trying to chase down a known criminal, Patrick, Keaton calls upon a doctor, Gary Oldman. And Robocop happens. In a significant variance from the earlier film, the wife (well played by Abbie Cornish) and son (John Paul) have a prominent role too

There is too much time spent on the mechanics, on the how, the construction of the suit…the fun really begins when the Robocop hits the streets…and there are glitches…and to keep things interesting, there is a key employee at Omnicorp, Jackie Earle, who cant wait to shut down this experiment.

The moments between the wife, son and Robocop, also the relationship between Gary Oldman with the Robocop & Keaton – the doctor trying to do the right thing by his patient and the family, while Keaton, representing the ugly side of capitalism, trying to move ahead for profits - provide some of the human angle to the whole thing. The action is good, slick, everything you would expect from a major Hollywood production. It makes for engaging viewing, and things heat up nicely in the second half…there are enough changes vs the original to keep you hooked…all in all, a nice watch and a nice way to spend an afternoon…

Gunday

Rating : 6/10
Release Date : 14th February, 2014
Time : 153 minutes
Director, Writer : Ali Abbas Zafar; Music : Sohail Sen, Julius Packiam
Starring : Ranveer Singh, Arjun Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra, Saurabh Shukla, Irrfan Khan, Pankaj Tripathi



1. After giving us two brothers falling for the same woman in Mere Brother Ki Dulhan, Ali Abbas stays on topic, with two friends-who- are-thicker-than-brothers committing the same folly.

2. It traces the rags to riches story of our two heroes, Ranveer and Arjun, and then the battle of wits vs supercop, Irrfan. While both fall for a cabaret dancer, Priyanka.

3. This is an over-the-top, mindless, Salman-esque film. Logic takes a back seat wherever the need for drama is felt to be greater. Slow motion shots are liberally sprinkled, as are muscled torsos, six packs and high octane bravado

4. The childhood friends are refugees from Bangladesh & for some reason seem very touchy about being called that. They turn to crime as a means to survive and their early years and escape to Kolkata is quite nicely shown, including a nice cameo by Pankaj Tripathi and the child artistes

5. The twists are quite predictable, regular Hindi film watchers (and they’re the only category I would recommend the film to) will be able to see them coming a mile off.

6. The film is too long by at least thirty minutes. Couple of songs, some of the slow motion shots, lots of the dialogue needed to go…the second half, in particular, had characters doing strange stuff.

7. Arjun Kapoor really stood out, stealing the show from some of his seniors…he’s good, got his part right. Priyanka looked hot, after a long while. Ranveer was hamming it up too much, for my taste.

8. There is a tendency among a lot of our film makers to manufacture conflict, simply because they feel a good story needs it. So is the case here. The clash between the heroes is a veritable storm in a teacup, nothing a couple of appropriately timed phone calls couldn’t have solved.

9. There are a few great visuals – one top angle of an umbrella opening in the rain, lots of Durga Pooja ones, the colours, Howrah Bridge. Some tender moments. And a very dramatic, stretched climax

10. With the right degree of patience and a comfort with the inane brashness of most action-oriented Hindi films, you may actually be able to ‘enjoy’ this one. Not for everyone, though.