Star Cast: Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali, Jonathan Bailey, Rupert Friend

Director: Gareth Edwards

Jurassic World: Rebirth Movie Review Synopsis:
JURASSIC WORLD: REBIRTH is the story of a group of humans in a no-go zone. The public interest in dinosaurs has waned. They are dead or either dying and the only set of dinosaurs to survive are around the Equator. The zone is prohibited. Zora Bennett (Scarlett Johansson), a former ex-military covert operative, meets Martin Krebs (Rupert Friend) of ParkerGenix, a pharmaceutical company in New York. Martin asks her to join him in the dinosaur region. The mission is to take blood samples of three creatures, namely Mosasaurus, Titanosaurus and Quetzalcoatlus. It will be used to create a drug that can help in heart problems, a condition faced by many in the World. In return, Martin agrees to give Zora a huge amount of money. Zora realizes that the price offered will secure her life and she agrees. They are joined by palaeontologist Dr Henry Loomis (Jonathan Bailey). The trio head to Paramaribo, Suriname where they meet Duncan Kincaid (Mahershala Ali), a close friend of Zora and owner of the boat, Essex. He, too, comes on board. The four of them along with the driver of Duncan’s team, Leclerc (Bechir Sylvain), mercenary Nina (Philippine Velge) and the chief of security on The Essex, Bobby Atwater (Ed Skrein), begin their expedition. Meanwhile, Reuben Delgado (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo), his daughters Teresa (Luna Blaise) and Isabella (Audrina Miranda) and Teresa’s boyfriend Xavier (David Iacono) are heading from Barbados to Cape Town in their yacht when it gets attacked by a dinosaur. They are rescued by Team Zora; the latter doesn’t tell the shipwreck family about their plans. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

Jurassic World: Rebirth Movie Story Review:
David Koepp’s story is intriguing. David Koepp’s screenplay is effective. He wrote JURASSIC PARK [1993] and THE LOST WORLD: JURASSIC PARK [1997], that is the first two parts of the iconic franchise. As a result, he brings some freshness and also old-school entertainment to the writing. The dialogues are great.

Gareth Edwards’ direction is very entertaining. This is his first JURASSIC WORLD film and provides his own touch. The move pays off as one can sense that one can experience something different from the previous films and yet it remains in the zone that the series is known for. The plot itself is promising and once the expedition begins, it makes for a thrilling ride. Some of the scenes that stand out are Rebuen’s ship getting destroyed, Zora successfully getting the blood samples of the Mosasaurus, Xavier relieving himself while violence breaks out behind him, the madness involving the raft, etc. The scene of Titanosaurus is sweet and brings some relief from the chase and thrill. The finale is nail-biting.

On the flipside, though the plot is not clichéd, the visuals are. The VFX team, of course, has given their best but the tension gets diluted as we have seen it all before. The final fight is stretched and there are cinematic liberties galore in the narrative. It’s also difficult to digest that there is no supervision happening through satellite over boats entering the prohibited zone. Lastly, the film releases amid many other exciting movies and this can prove detrimental.

Jurassic World: Rebirth Movie Review Performances:
Scarlett Johansson brings star value and also delivers a kickass performance. She is no damsel in distress and is the protector here, a part that suits her completely. Mahershala Ali charms with his smile and able performance. Jonathan Bailey is a bit subtle and it works for him. Rupert Friend is apt for the part. Manuel Garcia-Rulfo lends able support and communicates a lot just through his expressions. David Iacono is the surprise of the film. One expects his character to be a certain way but he does the unexpected. Luna Blaise gives an effective performance while Audrina Miranda is cute. Bechir Sylvain, Philippine Velge and Ed Skrein are okay in small roles.

Jurassic World: Rebirth movie music and other technical aspects:
Alexandre Desplat’s music has the JURASSIC WORLD trademark stamp. John Mathieson’s cinematography is breathtaking. The VFX matches global standards. The action is a bit gory but is suitable for family viewing. James Clyne’s production design is rich while Sammy Sheldon’s costumes are stylish yet realistic.  Jabez Olssen’s editing is appropriate.

Jurassic World: Rebirth Movie Review Conclusion:
On the whole, JURASSIC WORLD: REBIRTH delivers the expected thrills, with the writing and execution bringing a touch of freshness to the franchise. However, its box office potential may remain underutilized due to the absence of an IMAX release and intense competition from holdover titles, new releases and upcoming films.

Star Cast: Abhishek A Bachchan, Daivik Baghela, Mohd Zeeshan Ayyub

Director: Madhumita

Kaalidhar Laapata Movie Review Synopsis:
KAALIDHAR LAAPATA is the story of an unusual friendship. Kaalidhar (Abhishek A Bachchan) lives in a town in North India with his brother Manohar (Vishwanath Chatterjee), Manohar’s wife Neetu (Madhulika Jatoliya), brother Sundar (Priyank Tiwari) and sister Gudiya (Priya Yadav). Kaalidhar is the eldest sibling and has taken care of his family after the untimely demise of his parents. After Kaalidhar is diagnosed with memory issues, Manohar, Neetu and Sundar realize that it’ll get difficult to take care of him. Hence, they decide to get rid of him. First, they surreptitiously take his thumbprint on property papers. Then they take him to Kumbh Mela and abandon him. They hope that Kalidhar will anyway forget about them due to his condition after which they can go back home and inform everyone that Kalidhar is no more. However, Kalidhar locates them and overhears their hidden agenda. As a result, Kalidhar leaves the town and reaches Bhojpur. Here, he befriends an orphan kid, Ballu (Daivik Baghela) and both strike a friendship. On the other hand, due to a change of circumstances, Manohar, Neetu and Sundar are now desperate to find the whereabouts of Kaalidhar. They take the help of Subodh (Mohd Zeeshan Ayyub), who makes it his life mission to locate Kaalidhar. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

Kaalidhar Laapata Movie Story Review:
KAALIDHAR LAAPATA is adapted from the 2019 Malayalam film KD. Madhumita’s story is different from the original version. Madhumita and Amitosh Nagpal’s screenplay is breezy though it could have been better. Madhumita and Amitosh Nagpal’s dialogues are entertaining.

Madhumita’s direction is simple. The plus point of the film is the bond shared by Kalidhar and Ballu and it takes the cake. The performances further add to the impact. A few funny scenes will leave a smile while the emotional scenes also work.

Kaalidhar Laapata Official Trailer | Abhishek Bachchan | Daivik | Premieres 4th July 2025 on Zee5

On the flipside, the beginning portion of the film gives a déjà vu of VANVAAS [2024], which is also about a family dumping the patriarch with fading memory in a crowded religious spot. Kaalidhar’s memory issues are not properly depicted and this is something that will surely bewilder the audience. Moreover, the whole idea of Kaalidhar consuming biryani in such a manner that it tempts other customers to order the same dish is a great idea but somehow hasn’t been executed well.

Kaalidhar Laapata Movie Review Performances:
Abhishek A Bachchan is in his element as expected and genuinely comes up with a fine performance. However, he looks too young for the role. He would have suited this character 10 years from now. Right now, he doesn’t seem apt for a role that his father also did in BAGHBAN [2003]. Daivik Baghela is the surprise of the film and is truly a scene-stealer. Mohd Zeeshan Ayyub is dependable as always. Vishwanath Chatterjee, Priyank Tiwari and Madhulika Jatoliya lend able support. Richa Meena (Subodh’s wife) is okay. Nimrat Kaur (Meera) is superb in a special appearance.

Kaalidhar Laapata movie music and other technical aspects:
Songs are okay. ‘Haseen Pareshaaniyaan’ has a catchy tune while ‘Hans Ke Jaane De’ comes at an important juncture. ‘Dil Banjaara’ is peppy. Tajdar Junaid’s background score is simple.

Ashwini Shrivastav’s production design is straight out of life. Sheetal Iqbal Sharma’s costumes are awkward but at the same time, convincing. Gairik Sarkar’s editing is decent though in some scenes, it’s a bit jerky and needlessly fast-paced.

Kaalidhar Laapata Movie Review Conclusion:
On the whole, KAALIDHAR LAAPATA has its heart in the right place, buoyed by sincere performances and a few heartwarming moments. However, the inconsistent writing, miscasting and an overwhelming sense of déjà vu from films like BAGHBAN and VANVAAS pull it down. It’s a film that tugs at your emotions but stumbles too often to leave a lasting impact.

Star Cast: Pankaj Tripathi, Konkona Sen Sharma, Sara Ali Khan, Aditya Roy Kapur, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Ali Fazal, Neena Gupta, Anupam Kher

Director: Anurag Basu

Metro…In Dino Movie Review Synopsis:
METRO…IN DINO is the story of relationships and their complexities. Monty (Pankaj Tripathi) and Kajol (Konkona Sen Sharma) reside in Mumbai and have been married for nearly two decades. Their relationship might seem perfect from the outside, but they have differences, and as a result, they keep arguing all the time. Intimacy is also missing in their life. Monty’s colleague suggests that he should download a dating app and initiate an extramarital affair. He believes that this would reignite the spark in his marriage. Monty puts the plan in motion, resulting in disastrous consequences. Kajol’s mother Shivani (Neena Gupta) lives in Pune with hubby Sanjeev (Saswata Chatterjee). Theirs is also a soul-less marriage, and she gets a chance to have some excitement in life when her college batch decides on a reunion in Kolkata. This means that she can reconnect with Parimal (Anupam Kher), her boyfriend in college. Kajol’s youngster Thumri aka Chumki (Sara Ali Khan) works in Delhi as an HR professional. She is in Bengaluru for work when she accidentally enters Parth’s (Aditya Roy Kapur) house, leading to issues with her fiancé, Anand (Kush Jotwani). Parth and his friend Shruti (Fatima Sana Shaikh) pretend to be a married couple and make it clear to Anand that there’s nothing between Parth and Chumki. Shruti lives in Bengaluru with her husband Akash (Ali Fazal). Shruti is craving to have a child, while Akash is craving to leave his corporate job and become a singer in films. Realizing that Akash is struggling with his job, she decides to opt for an abortion and shift to Delhi for better career prospects. Akash, meanwhile, lands in Mumbai and begins to struggle while trying his luck in the film industry. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

Metro…In Dino Movie Story Review:
Anurag Basu’s story is relatable and in sync with modern times. Anurag Basu’s screenplay is effective. There are several characters and plots, and though he falters at a few places, the overall writing is smooth. Sandeep Srivastava and Samrat Chakraborty’s dialogues are realistic and also dramatic.

Anurag Basu’s direction is great. The film is lengthy (162 minutes) but one doesn’t feel so as there’s so much happening every minute. Hence, one is constantly gripped from start to finish. The storytelling is complemented with the use of music. Just like LIFE IN A METRO [2007], Pritam and his music team can be seen performing in the film from time to time. But this time, Anurag has treated the film like Hollywood musicals like LA LA LAND [2016] and Disney flicks. Hence, expect dialogues in places to be in the form of songs. He attempted this style in JAGGA JASOOS [2017] as well, but this time, there’s a novel touch as the setting is different. Each plot has its charm, but the one involving Monty and Kajol brings the house down. The manner in which Monty is seen conversing on the dating app, not realizing who’s chatting with him, will lead to endless laughter in cinemas. Another remarkable aspect is the homage to the previous METRO film, that too to the track of Irrfan Khan.

On the downside, the film can be confusing at times, making it essential to watch with full concentration. The beginning 10 minutes are a bit odd as Anurag Basu just throws you into their world without a conventional introduction of the characters. Hence, one might feel disconnected initially, though the film picks up well. But in the second half, the film again slips as the happenings in a few plots are over the top, especially the Monty-Kajol track. Even Parimal’s plan seems far-fetched.

Metro…In Dino (Official Trailer) | Aditya Roy Kapur | Sara Ali Khan | Ali Fazal | Fatima Sana Shaikh

Metro…In Dino Movie Review Performances:
METRO…IN DINO has an ensemble cast, and every actor has done a great job. But it’s Pankaj Tripathi who steals the show. There’s a certain innocence to him that helps him big time, and performance-wise, he’s outstanding. In fact, this is one of his most accomplished performances ever. He dominates every other actor, and that’s a feat. Konkona Sen Sharma is the next best and is terrific as always. Sara Ali Khan is alright, while Aditya Roy Kapur effortlessly slips into the part. Fatima Sana Shaikh proves yet again that she’s a powerful performer. Ali Fazal leaves a huge mark but has very limited screen time. Neena Gupta and Anupam Kher are lovely as expected. Saswata Chatterjee, Kush Jotwani, Darshana Banik (Jhunuk), Rohan Gurbaxani (Anand), Pranay Pachauri (Aryan), and the actors playing Kajol-Monty’s daughter Pihu and Cameraman Amay also do very well. The cameos by Imtiaz Ali and Anurag Basu are lovely.

Metro…In Dino movie music and other technical aspects:
The music is the strength of the film. There are more than a dozen songs and the way they have been woven into the narrative is commendable. ‘Dhaagena Tinak Dhin’ takes the cake because of its catchy tune and visuals. ‘Zamaana Lage’ comes next. ‘Dil Ka Kya’, ‘Mann Ye Mera’, ‘Mausam’, ‘Aur Mohabbat Kitni Karoon’, ‘Qayde Se’ etc. are melodious. The recitatives (sung dialogues) are also impressive. Pritam’s background score is soulful.

Abhishek Basu and Anurag Basu’s cinematography is classy and they ensure the cities look charming. Aashish Dwyer’s costumes are as per the character’s traits. The production design is satisfactory. Bodhaditya Bandyopadhyay and Satish Gowda’s editing is functional.

Metro…In Dino Movie Review Conclusion:
On the whole, METRO…IN DINO stands out as a refreshing, one-of-a-kind musical entertainer that thrives on its relatable characters, engaging mix of humour and drama, and stellar performances. At the box office, it’s well-positioned to resonate strongly with multiplex audiences, who are expected to connect with its heart and soul.

Star Cast: John Cena, Idris Elba, Priyanka Chopra Jonas

Director: Ilya Naishuller

Heads Of State Movie Review Synopsis:
HEADS OF STATE is the story of two country premiers in an unusual situation. In Buñol, Spain, a joint operation of FBI and MI6, headed by Noel Bisset (Priyanka Chopra Jonas) fails miserably. Several agents die and even Noel is presumed dead. A few days later, US President Will Derringer (John Cena) and UK Prime Minister Sam Clarke (Idris Elba) meet in London for a greater cause, concerning clean energy. Both can’t stand each other and yet, share the stage for the press meet. Things go South as the media asks about the failed Buñol operation. Will and Sam end up exposing their differences while reacting to the incident. As a damage control measure, it is suggested that Will and Sam should travel together in the Air Force One plane to the G20 conference to be held in Trieste, Italy and also wave before boarding the flight. They hope that it would indicate to the press that all is well. The plan is put in motion and the flight takes off. Mid-air, an attempt is made to finish off both Will and Sam and crash the plane. Will and Sam jump off the plane using the last two parachutes. The Air Force One plane crashes in the forest of Belarus. Meanwhile, news spreads that Will and Sam are dead though in reality, they survive. They realize that those who tried to kill them should not know that they are alive. As a result, they destroy their phones and they attempt hitchhiking a ride to a safehouse in Warsaw, Poland. The journey won’t be easy for several reasons. Will and Sam despise each other. Secondly, both are the most recognizable faces on the planet and hence, their identity can be known and publicized anytime. Lastly, the ones who tried to bring the plane down are still lurking around. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

Heads Of State Movie Story Review:
Harrison Query’s story is fantastic. Josh Appelbaum, André Nemec and Harrison Query’s screenplay is a bit cliched and also has cinematic liberties. But it’s also very captivating. The dialogues are one of the USPs.

Ilya Naishuller’s direction is entertaining. There have been many such ‘road trip’ films before, that is, two characters, who can’t see eye-to-eye are forced to be together and fight a common enemy. But here, what makes it interesting is that they are premiers of the two most powerful nations on Earth. On top of it, you realize that even the antagonist is menacing. If he can attempt to harm them, he won’t stop at anything as he has no fear. A few scenes stand out like the embarrassing press conference, the fight on the Belarus farm and the encounter with the sheep. The track of Marty Comer (Jack Quaid) contributes to the overall chaos and fun. The climax is fitting.

On the flipside, there are too many cinematic liberties. The agencies of both countries seemed to lack the will to track down the villains even after they attempted to kill the state heads. It becomes clear after a point to Will and Sam that they are being tracked using CCTV cameras. Yet, they keep exposing themselves. The film gets repetitive in the middle. The Croatia track is fun but is too far-fetched.

Heads Of State Movie Review Performances:
John Cena and Idris Elba equally play their parts with panache. The film rests on their strong shoulders and they ensure the viewers will be amused by their antics. Priyanka Chopra Jonas disappears for some time but dominates in the second half. Performance-wise, she’s first rate and the way she has fought the baddies will be loved. In fact, this is her most action-packed role ever. Jack Quaid leaves a huge mark in a special appearance. Paddy Considine (Viktor Gradov) is decent as the villain. Adrian Lukis (Jack Gordon; journalist), Simone Bradshaw (Sarah Niles), Richard Coyle (Quincy Harrington), Carla Gugino (VP Elizabeth Kirk) and others lend able support.

Heads Of State movie music and other technical aspects:
Steven Price’s music is effective. Ben Davis’ cinematography is breathtaking and gritty in action scenes. The action is likeable and not gory or violent, except for a few shots. Niall Moroney’s production design is rich while Jany Temime’s costumes are classy. Tom Harrison-Read’s editing is slick but stagnates in some places. The transition in two shots, where characters are explaining how they travelled extensively, is stylish and unique.

Heads Of State Movie Review Conclusion:
On the whole, HEADS OF STATE thrives on a gripping geopolitical premise, powered by the electric camaraderie between John Cena and Idris Elba. The icing on the cake is Priyanka Chopra in her most action-packed role ever. Thanks to the casting, subject and abundance of entertainment, it’s bound to fetch huge viewership for Amazon Prime Video.

Star Cast: Vishnu Manchu, Preity Mukhundhan, Akshay Kumar, Prabhas, Mohanlal, Kajal Aggarwal

Director: Mukesh Kumar Singh

Kannappa Movie Review Synopsis:
KANNAPPA is the story of valour and belief. The film is set in the 2nd century. Thinnadu (Vishnu Manchu) lives in a hamlet, ruled by his father Nathanatha (R Sarath Kumar). As a child, Thinnadu lost interest in God after his friend was sacrificed to stop an illness from plaguing the village. One day, while he is on a hunting expedition, Thinnadu comes across Nemali (Preity Mukhundhan). She belongs to the neighbouring tribe and falls for her. She too falls in love with him despite the fact that she is a staunch Lord Shiva devotee. Meanwhile, a dreaded warrior, Kalamukha (Arpit Ranka) sends his brother and some soldiers to Vayulingam with bad intentions. The brother and the soldiers attempt to kidnap and violate the women of Thinnadu’s helmet. Thinnadu kills them. Before dying, the brother warns that his brother will arrive with his army of one lakh people and attack his hamlet and also the neighbouring villages. Nathanatha summons the chiefs of the nearby hamlets in the forest and asks them to put aside their differences and unite for a common cause. Thinnadu is chosen to lead the alliance. But his non-religious beliefs create a dent. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

Kannappa Movie Story Review:
Vishnu Manchu’s story has its roots in mythology. Vishnu Manchu’s screenplay is stretched and inconsistent. But overall, it works especially due to the climax. Akella Shiva Prasad’s dialogues are deep and easy to decipher.

Mukesh Kumar Singh’s direction is simple and mass-appealing. The characters are well introduced and the conflict has substance. Moreover, the transformation of the protagonist from an atheist to a true devotee is heartening and more importantly, convincing. The various cameos further add to the appeal and also star value. The director, however, reserves the best for the climax. The last 15 minutes is when the film reaches dizzying heights and will give goosebumps.

On the flipside, the film has a run time of 181 minutes and hence, it’s too lengthy. Ideally, it should have been shorter by 15 minutes. The film doesn’t follow the conventional approach. The villain track culminates earlier than expected. As a result, one might wonder in the second half where the film is heading. The first half is just alright and the romance track before the intermission gives a strong déjà vu of Prabhas-Tamannaah Bhatia track in BAAHUBALI [2015].

Kannappa Movie Review Performances:
Vishnu Manchu puts his heart and soul into the character and delivers a very impressive performance. Akshay Kumar is the divine surprise of the film. As Lord Shiva, he’s flawless. Hindi-speaking audiences will be proud to see an actor from their market being given such a role to essay that too by South makers. The makers could have chosen any actor from the South industries for it but they went ahead with Akshay and that speaks volumes. Prabhas (Rudra) comes next and makes his presence felt. Mohanlal (Kirata) and Mohan Babu (Mahadev Shastri) lend able support. Kajal Aggarwal (Parvati) gets into the skin of her character. Preity Mukhundhan looks stunning and delivers a worthy performance. It’s a performance that will surely get her noticed. R Sarath Kumar is impressive. Arpit Ranka and Lavi Pajni (Bebbuli) are over the top. Brahmanandam (Pilaka) is wasted. Aiswaryaa Bhaskaran (Maremma) has a tremendous screen presence while Mukesh Rishi (Kampa) is decent. Madhoo (Pannaga) puts her best foot forward but gets sidelined after a point.

Kannappa movie music and other technical aspects:
The romantic songs fail to entice. ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ is exhilarating while ‘Shiva Shiva Shankaraa’ is well picturized. It also comes at a crucial juncture. Stephen Devassy’s background score has a cinematic appeal.

Sheldon Chau’s cinematography is breathtaking. The locales of New Zealand are well captured. In a few scenes, one does get a feeling that the shooting location is not based in India. Nevertheless, it works as it is unlike one has seen in any Indian film in a long time. Chinna’s production design is authentic while Ajay’s costumes are appropriate. Kecha Khamphakdee’s action is not too gory. The VFX is fine overall, although it could have been a bit classier in some scenes. Anthony Gonsalves’s editing is slugging in places.

Kannappa Movie Review Conclusion:
On the whole, KANNAPPA triumphs largely due to its mythological appeal and a goosebumps-inducing final 20 minutes. The lead performances are exemplary, with Akshay Kumar standing out as one of the film’s biggest strengths. His impactful presence as a prominent North Indian actor in a South-led ensemble is sure to evoke a sense of pride among Hindi-speaking audiences. While the film’s lengthy runtime and the relatively low pre-release buzz in the Hindi belt are minor drawbacks, the film holds the potential to surprise, provided it garners strong word of mouth.

Star Cast: Kajol, Kherin Sharma, Ronit Roy

Director: Vishal Furia

Maa Movie Review Synopsis:
MAA is the story of a woman trying to save her daughter. Ambika (Kajol) lives in Kolkata with her hubby Shuvankar (Indraneil Sengupta) and daughter Shweta (Kherin Sharma). Shuvankar is originally from Chandarpur, West Bengal and has broken all contact with his ancestral village. Shweta is hell-bent upon visiting Chandarpur but Shuvankar refuses to listen to her plea. The same day, Shuvankar learns that his father (Aashit Chatterjee) has passed away. Shuvankar reaches Chandarpur and completes the final rites. He meets the sarpanch, Joydev (Ronit Roy), and expresses the wish to sell off his mansion. He leaves for Kolkata the same night and dies under mysterious circumstances. Ambika and Shweta are in shock and manage to move on in life. A few months later, Joydev informs Ambika that a broker will be arriving in a few days for the sale of their property. Since it was Shuvankar’s last wish to get the sale done, Ambika decides to head to Chandarpur to do the needful. Shweta also joins her as she doesn’t want to be left alone. Both reach Chandapur, leading to madness. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

Maa Movie Story Review:
Saiwyn Quadras’ story is praiseworthy. Saiwyn Quadras’ screenplay is riveting for most parts but gets messy in some places. Aamil Keeyan Khan and Ajit Jagtap’s dialogues are simple and also hard-hitting as required.

Vishal Furia’s direction is promising. He manages to create a very eerie atmosphere and that adds a lot to the impact. The goings-on touch a chord as it’s about a mother fighting for her child. As a result, there’s a universal appeal. Moreover, we have seen horror films and horror comedies while MAA stands out as it’s a mythological horror flick. This makes it a one-of-a-kind film. A few scenes stand out like the intro, the death of Shuvankar and Ambika and Shweta reaching Chandarpur for the first time. Post-interval, the scene in the car takes the cake. The climax fight is arresting.

On the flipside, in a few scenes, the VFX is tacky. Films like SHAITAAN [2024] and also those of Maddock Cinematic Universe have set a benchmark when it comes to CGI in this zone. While the makers get it right in some scenes, the VFX leaves a lot to be desired in the rest of the film. A few developments are plain silly and might lead to unintentional laughter. Also, the makers ideally should have ended the film at a certain point. The very last scene will put off viewers and also goes against the idea and even the title of the film. Another factor that might be seen as taboo is the crucial plot of girls getting their first periods, though one can’t deny that it’s an interesting idea.

Maa – Official Trailer | Kajol, Ronit Roy, Indraneil Sengupta, Kherin Sharma | Vishal Furia

Maa Movie Review Performances:
Kajol delivers a smashing performance and proves yet again why she is one of the finest actors of our times. She is exceptionally fiery in the climax. Kherin Sharma lends able support. Ronit Roy is the surprise of the film and this is surely one of his most accomplished performances. Indraneil Sengupta is lovable in a supporting role. Jitin Gulati (Shekhar) does well but his character gets a raw deal. Gopal Singh (Bikash) and Dibyendu Bhattacharya (Bimal) are impressive while Rupkatha Chakraborty (Deepika) and Surajasikha Das (Nandini) leave a tremendous park. Aashit Chatterjee, Vibha Rani (Purohita; old) and Yaaneaa Bharadwaj (Purohita; young) are fair.

Maa movie music and other technical aspects:
The song ‘Kali Shakti’ is forgettable but its visuals are striking. Amar Mohile’s background score adds to the effect. The same goes for Pushkar Singh’s cinematography. R P Yadav’s action is a bit gory and works well. Sheetal Duggal’s production design and Radhika Mehra’s costumes complement the goings-on. NY VFXWaala’s VFX is a mixed bag, as aforementioned. Sandeep Francis’ editing is functional.

Maa Movie Review Conclusion:
On the whole, MAA stands out as it’s a one-of-a-kind mythological-horror film and also rests on some fine performances, especially by Kajol and Ronit Roy. However, it suffers due to tacky VFX, inconsistent writing and an unacceptable plot point in the climax.

Star Cast: Brad Pitt, Javier Bardem, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon

Director: Joseph Kosinski

F1: The Movie Review Synopsis:
F1: THE MOVIE is a story about the bond between two drivers. Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt) was an expert F1 racer. He had to quit the championship in 1993 after suffering a major accident on the racing track in Spain. After recovering, Sonny couldn’t stay away from races and kept participating in various championships. In the present day, Sonny has just helped a team win during a 24-hour race at Daytona. He’s about to apply for a Baja car racing tournament when he’s approached by Ruben Cervantes (Javier Bardem), owner of the APXGP team and also a former F1 driver. Ruben’s team is not performing well and he risks losing it if it doesn’t perform. Hence, Ruben asks Javier to be the second driver during the upcoming racing season for APXGP. Sonny agrees and he reaches London to join the team. They don’t give him a warm welcome, especially the lead rookie driver Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris), who has reservations about the fact that  Sonny played an F1 race ages ago. Sonny’s cocky attitude also puts off others like technical director Kate (Kerry Condon), team principal Kaspar Smolinski (Kim Bodnia), race engineer Nickleby (Will Merrick), Dodge Dowda (Abdul Salis) etc. During the press tour, Sonny is asked uncomfortable questions about his past, that is, his accident, losing most of his wealth to gambling, divorces etc. and this further makes him an unpleasant addition. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

F1: The Movie Story Review:
Joseph Kosinski and Ehren Kruger’s story is excellent and a little different from the usual underdog stories. Ehren Kruger’s screenplay is not pacy like the cars in the film but ensures that it keeps the viewers captivated. The dialogues pack a punch. Many one-liners are sarcastic and add to the entertainment.

Joseph Kosinski’s direction is exemplary. In recent times, he has executed TOP GUN: MAVERICK [2022] and TWISTERS [2024]. These and F1: THE MOVIE all have an adventurous streak but at the same time, they belong to diverse worlds. Hence, Joseph also has executed them accordingly. One of the aspects that is very striking is that those who are ignorant about the world depicted in the film might feel that it’s a biopic. Expect many viewers to Google about the characters only to realize that it’s a fictional flick. The conflict is well thought of and the character of Sonny takes the cake. One can’t predict what he’ll do during the race to hit back at his opponents. The turn of events just before the intermission is shocking and increases the drama and tension. The climax is nail-biting and is quite hatke as well.

On the flipside, to keep the authenticity, the makers haven’t dumbed down on the usage of race-related terms. The race aficionados won’t have a problem with it but a majority of the viewers, who are unaware of the world of F1, might struggle in a few places to comprehend the dialogues. Some of the tricks used by Sonny on the field will also be a challenge for them to decipher. In the middle, the film stagnates a bit. The run time of 155 minutes is also a bit too much. The product placement adds to the realism but is an eyesore in some scenes. Lastly, this is not a mass-appealing film and this can affect its box office outcome to some extent.

F1: The Movie Review Performances:
Brad Pitt effortlessly plays the part. He’s very charming and makes sure he pleases not just the characters in the film but also the audience in the cinema hall. Javier Bardem is apt for the part and performance-wise, he’s first-rate. Damson Idris leaves a huge mark, despite the presence of such top stars. Kerry Condon is impressive. Sarah Niles (Bernadette; Joshua’s mother) is memorable. Kim Bodnia, Will Merrick, Abdul Salis, Callie Cooke (Jodie), Samson Kayo (Cash; Joshua’s manager), Tobias Menzies (Peter Banning; investor) and Simon Kunz (Don; journalist) are memorable. Luciano Bacheta (Luca Cortez) gets no scope. Lastly, the cameos by real-life F1 drivers and personnel will be lapped up by the fans.

F1: The Movie music and other technical aspects:
Hans Zimmer’s music is exhilarating and well-woven into the narrative. The various songs in the film also provide a nice touch. Claudio Miranda’s cinematography gives the film a grand, cinematic feel. Julian Day’s costumes and Ben Munro and Mark Tildesley’s production design are classy. The VFX is world-class. Stephen Mirrione’s editing is dragging but overall, it’s fine.

F1: The Movie Review Conclusion:
On the whole, F1: THE MOVIE provides a gripping, captivating experience to the viewers. This is not a film for home viewing and should be experienced only on the big screen. While it may not cater to conventional mass tastes, its high-octane storytelling and cinematic scale are bound to drive strong box office numbers, especially in the IMAX screens.