With its old school story-telling charm, uncluttered plotting, magical CGI and restrained performances, this film comes as fantastically alive as is possible for a fantasy to get.

While the action is racy and propulsive, it does feel a little far-fetched and fanciful. Ultimately it’s Matt alone who is top draw here. His sheer personification of Jason Bourne leaves little room for others to emulate. But for him this film would have been a ‘Legacy’ re-run!

With the climactic sequence pumping up the action and destruction, you are quite guaranteed a swell experience – especially since it’s quite bloodless and catering largely to boyish fantasies.

The film has a brisk pace, but the story is pretty much well-trodden and playing to type. Also the plotline goes beserk trying to invent an adventure that might not seem all that plausible or affecting. If you are a dog lover, you will love this all the way through. If you are a pet lover (and I mean a generic one) you will find this a harmless entertainer but if you hate pets or are allergic to them, then you might not be wholeheartedly impressed by their shenanigans on screen. And that’s the way this cookie crumbles.

This is a wholesome film, that’s entertaining even while it sends out a message of love and understanding for all such differently-abled entities in the world. Such old fashioned values need to be given such frequent spring-boards if the world has to becomes a more equitable and fair living space!

The writing may not be entirely up to the mark but the actors more than make up for the deficit. Crowe, Gosling and Angourie Rice make the ensuing mayhem look entertaining enough. Despite Shane Black’s penchant for the absurd, it’s still very much a joy ride!

This film is a psychological exploration about morality and it’s implications on the strictly religious conservative mindset while bringing into play questions of hurt male pride and manhood. And of course the marriage could well be at stake here. Performances are first rate, camera work is enlightening and direction is masterly. Farhadi may not have set the narrative on fire with obvious dramatic thrusts but the subtler flurries of subtext within allows for a lot more rumination and thought. So there’s reason enough to watch this film for sure!

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 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.

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!