Reviews

Being a huge fan of Hong Kong and Chinese visual effects, I really wanted to see this one and also for Jackie Chan, although he didn't have a huge role to play in this one. Also action direction coming from veterans Cory Yuen, with Yuen Tak and Li Chung Chi, its definitely something not to be missed Benny Chan's films may not have been the best in the recent past but with Shaolin he definitely delivers a blockbuster. A movie which is not only high on action but also rich in the spirit of Buddhism.

The main protagonist Hou Jie (Andy Lau), a ruthless warlord who bear grudges with Shaolin Temple and sets to get rid of the people around him for his own benefits, is betrayed by his own brother and repents from the mistakes he made which leads to the death of his daughter. The cook (Chan) at the temple takes him into refuge where Hou decides to become a monk at the Shaolin which is where the Buddhist teachings come in to play. Disciples in Shaolin who bear grudges with Hou for his deeds in the past eventually accept him and in the climax war they all defend Shaolin from the invasion of Tsao's army and the Western powers.

Jackie Chan's cameo in an amusing role as the cook provides some comic relief for the audience in an otherwise intense plot which doesn't last for long since it deviates from the main concern of the film. But there is one fight sequence with Chan.

But what I did miss was some beautiful landscape views, with its massive set pieces it was something that was expected. Also, apart from the main characters not much attention was paid to the co-stars. No female presence as such in an overall grand movie of all sorts.

In the end its definitely worth a look, but you'll somehow just wish it was better. The climax with its awesome fight sequence and huge sets being exploded is also worth the watch.

As we all know Pixar and Dreamworks are two of the best studios producing amazingly awesome animated movies. There have been few misses but megamind is not one of those. With dreamworks releasing some fantastic and original movies in the recent past like kung fu panda and how to train your dragon I knew I had to see this one since it came out and I finally got time to watch it now.

Although it felt like one of the typical genre of super hero films, but with all those elements put together and a super brilliant character, MEGAMIND, who is a little flawed and evil, but is also lovable, earns our pity and "gets the girl in the end". It was smart, intelligent, witty and a well written story. The voice acting and animation were perfectly suited to the movie. I love how these studios pull such great emotions even with animated characters. When Roxanne leaves Megamind, you yourself will feel his pain which he shows with his eyes. I just love it..!!! This movie had some great around laughs and took a different spin at some conventional superhero movies and gave us a great surprise which I am sure you all would enjoy. This flick is for all ages. Right mixture of humour, seriousness and also a little suspense with a strong love interest will keep you laughing and entertained throughout the movie and the superb action and flying scenes which are very exciting, I feel, are made mostly for the "3d" experience but nonetheless its equally enjoyable in 2d. But 3d complemented the movie without being a distraction or annoyance. I guess it's everything I was looking for in a movie.

Also, the movie vividly captured many awkward and tragic human situations in a way only animation can. Like how society sometimes fails to accept a child who is different than his peers(because of his looks and intelligence) and just doesn't fit and he relates to them a bit awkwardly which in turn makes him feel alienated. In the movie MEGAMIND reasons that if he is treated like a bad kid, then he might as well be a bad kid, and thus takes place birth of an intelligent, genius criminal or as he says "SUPER-VILLIAN".

There's seriously nothing to complain about the movie except that I wanted it to go on for a little longer maybe.

Overall, a funny, exciting, entertaining and a really MEGA-AWESOME film that kids and parents, both, can enjoy and I would really like DREAMWORKS to keep going on with this and I am sure they will.

Enjoy…. ;)