X Men First Class

This one is actually a slight dampner of sorts. Although the effects make up for a lot that it seems to have been missed in other departments and the fact that the number of X Men fans across the world aren’t going to reduce with probably the first effort that has been just over average would put the owners of the franchise at some ease. The mutants are here to stay just as they sign off by saying – MUTANT AND PROUD. You can expect many more stories going forward from this “different” bunch. In fact, X Men First Class has set it up beautifully for several sequels in the coming years. Rest assured, the impact from the previous 4 have left enough of an impact on fans and non fans alike to keep coming back to the movie halls. It will take quite a disaster to make any dent on the fan following.

The producers, however, have to really take a long hard look at the past 3 directors and they would probably find an answer there. Brett Ratner (X3), Gavin Hood (Wolverine) and Matthew Vaughn (XMFC) just don’t measure up to the magic that was created by Bryan Singer in X1 and X2. Ratner, Hood and Vaughn seem to rely much more on the effects and really don’t focus as much on building a story that is irresistible. Although XMFC does try to build up the background on the entire concept, I felt they tried to do just that little too much and lost out on the story somewhere in between. I wouldn’t be wrong if I were to say that the term First Class actually came to life – The movie seemed more like a class room session. Something like Course - XMen Class – 101 – I hope u got what I meant to say. It would be clear when u do watch the movie.

My intent till now has not been to blast XMFC at all and I must apologise if it was perceived as a whipping. The movie is definitely worth a watch and you will not get bored. The classic fan though may land up being a tad disappointed. But his passion will drive him to give the movie a score that is more than what it deserves. I would give it a 6 on 10. Maybe a bit harsh. But I am also pegging it against the previous editions and I find that this one was just about par for the course. And if the characters were not fleshed out as well as they were – especially Xavier, Magneto and Raven – I would have given it 5. But for these aspects, there is nothing much other than effects. Acting is just about there to create some aura around the characters. The casting is apt but then this is as much as what McAvoy and company can get upto in terms of acting in a super hero movie. It’s a big screen watch for certain – you cant watch XMFC on the small screen and miss out on the effects.

Watch the trailer at http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi168926489/

Hanna

If I am not wrong, this is the first time that acclaimed director Joe Wright has made a departure from his forte of movies under the genre “Drama” and moved to “Espionage”. But then again, Hanna is actually one of the slowest action movies that I have seen in a long time. So it maybe correct to classify it as just Drama. In typical Joe Wright fashion (Atonement, Soloist, Pride & Prejudice), the movie pays painful attention to detail and consistency. It uses the right camera angles and the right cuts to create the maximum possible impact that Wright can deliver. Unfortunately, Wright is probably not cut out to deliver action / espionage movies the way a Tony Scott (Spy Game) or a Stephen Gaghan (Syrianna) can manage. Mind you I am at no point discounting Joe Wright’s capabilities as a director. He has been up there with his movies to date. But Hanna just didn’t cut enough ice with this amateur critic. At times, it just drifted too much for my comfort. Maybe it was the exceptional slowness that got to me.

Hanna is a story of revenge. Erik Heller (Eric Bana) is a CIA operative who has defected a few years back – over a decade ago. He is betrayed / cheated by his handler Marissa Wiegler (Cate Blanchett). But if u view Marissa’s actions through the lens of the CIA, she was entrusted with a job and she got it done like any effective agent would have – ruthlessly. Nevertheless, Heller holds a grudge against Marissa not just because she tried to kill him but in the bargain also killed Eric’s wife. Heller escapes with his daughter Hanna (Saoirse Ronan) and over the years equips her with all that he has learnt during his years as an operative to be a vicious assassin. All with a single minded intent of killing Wiegler. All of this, in the jungles of Finland – how exotic I say. 17 years from Hanna’s birth, she tells her father that she is “ready” and switches on a tracker which gets the CIA to her (and not the other way round) – the mission begins.

I must say, I was a tad disappointed with Hanna – yet another case of the cover being better than the book… or in this case the trailer being far superior to the movie. The performances from all 3 lead actors were extremely good. Saoirse (pronounced SEER sha – never hurts to repeat it as often) Ronan proves yet again that she has an extremely bright future in Hollywood. I must watch The Lovely Bones sooner than later to figure out how she was in that one. But in 3 movies – Atonement, The Way Back and now Hanna – she has been very good to say the least. Cate Blanchett is and will be one of THE most versatile actresses to hit the screen. Her negative role as Wiegler was exceptional but a little below par on the Blanchett scale. Eric Bana was ice cold as always. Overall, Hanna survives more due to the performances and not as much due to the narration. I give it a 6 on 10. Worth a dekko positively but be prepared for a slow movie with some very strong moments.

Watch the trailer at http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi984063257/