A week where I had a tryst with two sequels:
First: an intended one:
Star Wars - A New Awakening. A crackle of a movie that manages to tick all the "must" boxes of the franchise; well paced & well photographed at some of the best landscaped locales - loved the way the desert has been captured; and with Harrison Ford, Carrie Fischer & Mark Hamil brings alive the nostalgia as well as becomes the perfect connector for the remaining two movies to follow.
J J Abrams, the legacy of George Lucas seems to be in perfect hands.
May the Force be with you!
Second - an unintended one:
Bajirao Mastani where Mr. Bhansali still seems to be still reeling under the hangover of Devdas. Similar template with ticking of all the "must" boxes - ever moist eyed actors in love, music piece set to the dance steps of Birju Maharaj (Mohe Rang Do Laal, a lovely song though missed Madhuri Dixit's effervescent dance), one song-n-dance with both the heroines, lots of grandeur & pomp with amazing eye for detailing of inanimate objects.
Despite good performances by all the key performers, the movie unfortunately leaves one cold due to its uni-dimensional portrayal of the characters. For me the defining moment was when one of the bravest warrior of Maratha history starts dancing & singing "Vaat Lavli".
Kharach Vaat Laavli..
