…the film’s main strength lies in Jeremy Irons’ performance. It’s one that holds the film together and raises its worth in the eyes of the discerning. While the story is about an extra-ordinary individual it plays out as something a little too cerebral and boring to reach out to a wider audience.

The lack of character detailing curtails the enjoyment to an extent while the erratic non-linear narrative adds to the woes. Nevertheless, there’s still plenty more to enjoy!

The VFX is magical but the entire treatment lacks vision and fire. As a result the ‘scares’ are never fully realized. This one promises much more than it can deliver!

Both the director and Gyllenhaal work hard at keeping things believable and interesting. Gyllenhaal’s performance is sincerely involved while Jean-Marc Vallée’s narrative takes the unexpected path to evolved and involved recompense. Together they make this event a eminently worthy experience.

The drama and treatment may border on conventional but the animal renditions are definitely not. Cinematographer Bill Pope and the VFX team led by Robert Legato and Adam Valdez integrate real time sequences with animation so brilliantly that it’s difficult to pinpoint the differences. It’s seamless, proportionate and way above anything that has come before. A must-see for all – irrespective of species, age or gender!

The Divergent franchise started out with promise a couple of years ago but now it’s merely fumbling around in dystopia for a unique sci-fi footing. ‘The Hunger Games’ experience is probably hard to beat but this series appears to have lost steam after that first salvo. ‘Allegiant’ may still be a popular outing for the young set but I don’t think it will make for a distinctive or memorable one!

The narrative is strong on emotions, pulses with dramatic energy and is quite visually enchanting. The colours are delightful, the lightness of touch gives it a strong enough dose of revitalizing humour and the thematic relevance is winsome. The fluid and comely animation adds strength to the enchantment. It’s an invigorating path to enlightenment paved as it is with wit and charm. – See more at: http://www.mid-day.com//articles/kung-fu-panda-3—movie-review/17095161#sthash.QdjEvBV1.dpuf

The non-linear spiel, though busy and fervently active, doesn’t quite enchant because of the frequent back and forth cutting that doesn’t allow for extended concentration. With the central conflict looking forced and out-of-place especially when there’s an irritating villain scheming in the shadows, waiting to be vanquished. The tonal template here is much darker than what Snyder designed for ‘Man of Steel’ and that’s a good thing surely.

It’s quite confusing when there’s no clear cut difference between the good and the bad. Most of the events play out in predictable fashion. The chase is reasonably gripping and the twists that account for the escape and safety from apprehension border on humanitarian and ethical premises. There’s no real tension to draw you in and the suspense is a little too vapid to make a difference in engagement.

The narrative tempo is artfully measured and strongly evocative. Gavin Hood makes the telling sharp and incising. And with steely performances from Helen Mirren, Alan Rickman and empathetic ones from the rest, this one sure has the power to make it a striking, one-of-a-kind experience. The aerial aesthetics and a sanguine score adds substance. This film is strong on conviction and its anti-war sentiment is quite inflammable!