Kung Fu Panda 2 is a superb entertainer

Funny thing - I got inside the hall and realized that it was 3D version!!!

I'll admit it... I hate the whole 3D brigade. After Avatar, i haven't enjoyed any 3D movie because of dirty glasses that you have to wear which becomes strenuous after a while and then we have movies which used 3D as a selling gimmick and there isn't anything 3D in the movie. Coming back to the topic of Kung Fu Panda, it was a happy accident that i booked a 3D show and it was worth it. Its was a full 3D experience and used very well throughout the film.

After becoming the Dragon warrior, Po (the panda) and the Furious Five team up for all threats to the region. But this time he's confronted with the evil peacock Shen who had killed Po's parents when he was a baby, and panda does not clearly remember these events and the visions from his past keep bothering him. Shen is trying to take over China with his destructive canon and wants to end the existence of Kung Fu.

The plot is serious but is garnished by really funny situations especially the food/fat jokes about Po. There is a scene where Po and furious five are trying to use "stealth" to get into the city when panda bangs into every visible object and gets noticed. The movie keeps you in splits for the most part but the movie shows a lot of conflict in emotions of getting to know your sad past and finding inner peace. Even the tigress from furious five is shown as soft character this time.

And of course there is a lot more action, superb use of 3D to add to the action sequences. The jumping off the cliffs during fight in the start is more real in 3D and the scenes wher all the old legendary fighters fight together is exhilarating. The last fight sequence of Po fighting the canonballs is one of the most impressive ones you'll see.

Watch it for full on entertainment.


Rating: 7/10

Stanley ka dabba is simple and endearing

This one is for Rahul - friend from school - present

Stanley ka dabba is a endearing movie which brings you back to the wonderful days of school. Those little noises in the back benches, weird teachers and their mannerism and a nice teacher (generally English teacher :)) that kids can have crush on, all bring you back to school as the story unfolds in front of you.

I had heard about its comparisons with Taare Zameen Par, since this one is also written by Amol Gupte. Barring the fact that its about the subject of children, there is no similarity between these two movies. Stanley Ka Dabba is more like scenes from a well written play which have a strong message about child labor woven into the film itself and the "dabba" becomes the prime plot for this message.

Stanley (played by Partho) is a lovable schoolboy who's particularly popular with his classmates and is backed by the class teacher (Divya Dutta) who sees the unique qualities that Stanley has. Partho plays the role so well that you tend to believe it his real life story, by making the character look vulnerable and resilient at the same time. But his bright and unique ideas are generally disapproved by other teachers as they stick to the book like most Indian teachers. His lighthouse project or  his ability to write beautifully is ignored by teachers and only Divya Dutta encourages him and she is aptly called "Rosy miss" in the movie.

Amol Gupte plays the character of Hindi teacher who hogs food from everyone's tiffin like a glutton. With his reputation preceding him everyone starts avoiding him and when he pulls up stanley for not bringing the "dabba" everyday, Stanley friends make a fool of him everyday by hiding during lunch time. This brings the central moments in the film where Stanley is asked to stay away until he gets a tiffin, and the boy's dignified absence cause a lump in your throat. The rest of the story makes one think how we differentiate people on basis of their resources and follows it up with feeling of silent guilt that people around feel.

There are times when the movie seems stretched and the screenplay lacks a little bit. But the cast more than makes up for it with very honest performances and the fantastic portrayal of characters along with directer Amol Gupte who narrates the movie like a seasoned storyteller.
Watch it for its honesty and endearing characters, it doesn't force a message rather makes you feel one.

Rating: 7/10