The film, though CGI-driven, has little that’s above ordinary or exciting for that matter. Sacha Baron Cohen as Time tries his best to liven up things but it’s never enough. The effects are woebegone and look pretty much classless.

The animation here is just about OK. It’s not comely and though blindingly colourful, lacks a certain class that we’ve come to expect from the major Hollywood studios. There’s not much to laugh at as the narrative goes a little haywire in its redemptive spiral. The action sequences, while quite bombastic doesn’t quite make it stick. There’s nothing inventive or creative in terms of the writing either. The entire run looks contrived and derivative. Even the three-year-olds will find it difficult to cotton on to this miserable escapade.

Grant Major’s production design, Louise Mingenbach’s distinctive costumes, cinematographer Newton Thomas Sigel’s fluid combo work with visual effects designer John Dykstra and editor-composer John Ottman’s multitalented effusiveness allows for a smoothly integrated take-off and subsequent voracious display of action that sieges into a mind-boggling array of firepower that is imposing if not overpowering. So if you are willing to sit through all those discordant dynamics, the payoff becomes justified.

The poor acting, traditionalist treatment and regulated melodrama also fails to raise the bar in terms of overall affect. Only Mathew (Black Swan) Libatique’s cinematography is worthy of high praise here!

A decidedly flimsy reason to fashion a sequel with nothing but a whiff of long forgotten nostalgia to drive it through, this one is a big fat blunder that’s bound to sink. There’s no great charm to offload, pretentious performances, forced family bonding and a distinct lack of sincerity driving it – so this one is sure to go off the screens even before it can come on, so-to-speak!

The film is tautly drawn and the suspense is nail-bitingly assured but the narrative elements fail to stand-up to closer scrutiny. Jodie’s sincerity though, comes through quite clearly as do that of the A list cast that do the honors in bringing to life this straining-to-stay-above-board genre flick.

The science of it is undoubtedly silly, plot holes and inconsistencies are too many so it’s mainly up to the strong cast and their individual charismas to work out some likeability. Unfortunately it’s not enough to keep you rooted in your seats through the near two-hour flakily eventful runtime.

There might be no great depth in the storytelling though. Nevertheless, this is kickass stuff and will keep the fans in high spirits till the next engagement is worked out!

There’s not much script to propel this wannabe comedic drama. Even so, it’s all quite neatly laid out and tied in to produce a feel-good effect. This movie is meant to be about mothers but most of the narrative revolves around representations of women as wives, ex-wives, lovers, daughters and just peripherally deals with them as mothers. As such, this tribute turns out to be just a little too shallow!

The psychological suggestiveness and the tension are quite high. The narrative manages to keep you guessing and at the edge for most of its runtime. The ending in fact raises more questions than the film can answer! So are we in for another sequel? You guessed it!