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'Sara'S' review: Anchored by a powerful script, this simple film breaks the conventions of the feel-good template

Jude Anthany Joseph's third feature, after Ohm Shanti Oshana and Oru Muthassi Gadha, released on Prime Video at midnight today. This seemingly feel-good film, also seemingly made in limited spaces and with a shoestring budget, tackles a concept and issue never tested before in Malayalam cinema  circles. In Sara'S, we follow the life of Sara Vincent (Anna Ben), a young, bubbly, yet unapologetic filmmaker who struggles to make it big in the industry. She continuously assists male directors and is in the scripting works of her dream film. Sara has decided, from her school days, that she would not bear any kids. This is when she meets Jeevan (Sunny Wayne); her relationship with him subsequently brings her ideology and decision into a confrontation with the established norms of society, family and child-rearing.  Anna Ben in Sara'S The best aspect in which Sara'S has excelled, without doubt, is its hard-hitting taut script. Debutant Akshay Hareesh deserves praise for managin...

Kung Fu Panda 3- an action-packed fun ride

The third installment of this popular and entertaining franchise ventures into new story lines, characters and plot themes but with the same old star-studded voice cast. Here's the review of Kung Fu Panda 3 - the first in a series of reviews on animated movies.

 


  The film once again starts off with Po (Jack Black) the panda's antiques that border around his clumsiness and neglect. He fails to realize the true potential of a Dragon Warrior, which he was ordained in the exhilarating first installment. In time, Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman), the composed kung fu trainer decides to go into a sabbatical and hands over the role of teacher to Po, who is much reluctant to take up the job. But he confronts moral confusion when his biological father (Bryan Cranston) resurfaces and Kai (J.K Simmons), a nefarious power maniac begins to threaten the Valley with his supernatural and mystical powers.



  One advantage of producing an animated film is that there is no dearth of options available in order to portray events that are impossible to recreate in real life. The skilled animators use existing and advanced technologies to depict endless realms of fantasy, magic and mysticism. And as a movie that has its' plot bordering around the legendary martial art of kung fu, expectations for this third installment were clearly high. As far as its visuals are concerned, Kung Fu Panda 3 succeeds in reaching the zenith of CGI beauty- that becomes one of the best visual spectacles Hollywood has ever seen. Or it's just an hyperbole, considering the strides technology and animation has achieved over the last decade- a decade of animated epics. 

Like the two previous installments in the already hit franchise, Kung Fu Panda 3 adds a topping over the previous successes. From the very start, the film begins to visually impress; a film worth the 3D glasses. The directors attempt to clean sweep the galleria of ambitious animated options that will sure dazzle kids and adults alike.

 The incumbent star voice cast is joined by the likes of J.K Simmons and Bryan Cranston, as Kai and Li Shan, Po's father.

Unlike those animated sequels that turn hopelessly serious, Kung Fu Panda 3 is one that keeps its humor alive and kicking even when it ventures through mystic plot lines. It keeps a check on the story lines of its' predecessors that adds to the fun while watching this 3D extravaganza.

 In a nutshell, Kung Fu Panda 3 is interestingly its' predecessors plus a little masala of fun, comedy and breath taking visuals.

Like its protagonist, the newest entry into the everlasting animated franchise, is cute, sweet, funny and action packed- a movie worth the money you have paid and the 3D glasses that you have worn
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Reviewer©  rating: 4 stars

MPAA rating: PG (for martial arts action and some mild rude humor)

Run time: 94 minutes

Reviewer-The Blog©

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