EXODUS GODS AND KINGS: Review

What are the challenges in making a movie out of a story that everyone knows? The visual language, the character arcs and the emotional knots have to be perfected so that the audience stays in the present frame without wandering ahead to the already known conclusion. The challenge becomes even greater when the said story has already been made into a movie, one that went on to become a timeless classic. Yes, whenever anyone attempts to make a movie on Moses, there are bound to be comparisons with The Ten Commandments, one of most widely watched movies ever. How does Exodus distinguish itself from its extremely admitted and revered predecessor?
There is an attempt to present Moses as a great warrior of Egypt who left behind his life of conquest after he grew too tired and also found love. But one feels that a lot of time is taken up in setting up this basic premise that we already knew anyway. Nearly an hour is taken up in this process which is precious time mostly because of the fact that the actual legend of Moses begins only after this. You feel a bit weary when Moses' actual purpose in life begins.
The story of Moses and The Ten Commandments is not an ordinary one. It is one of the rarest occasions  when God directly speaks to a man to get something done. The mystique of such a happening was beautifully translated into screen in The Ten Commandments, and that is somehow missing in Exodus. While God was just a booming voice in The Ten Commandments, we get to see him in Exodus, but in a very unlikely form, a child. Now, that is an idea that could have worked very well, but one feels it doesn't quite work here.
Not just that, some of the lines spoken by God seem to have too much of vengeance on them, rather than the inevitability of destiny. In other words those dialogues seem to be too much that of a mortal. God seems to have an ego and a temper in Exodus, which might not seem acceptable to many. That feeling might also be attributable to the performance of the child as God. The weight on those tiny shoulders is too immense and he isn't aided by any directorial tricks or techniques. He falls a bit short in some scenes where Ridley Scott should have helped him more. Also, the emperor of Egypt hardly strikes an imposing figure. He looks an insecure man throughout, which is perhaps what was intended.
One gets a feeling that there is a deliberate attempt to keep things real rather than lend an air of mystic. The color patterns and imagery of The Ten Commandments travel transported us to a mythical time and land which gave an aura. Exodus lacks any of that aura. The only time when the visuals have an impact is when a series of plagues hit Egypt. The biggest opportunity to create an on screen spectacle however is totally lost- the cleaving of the Red sea, which is one of the most iconic scenes in world cinema falls flat in Exodus. The chariots as I remember looked more real and fast in Ben Hur than they do in Exodus.
It might seem unfair to compare a movie with such classics, but whenever such themes are handled, these comparisons are inevitable. Exodus handles a story that has a universal appeal and lends itself to great visual imagery and aura. In Exodus, we get a well narrated story but none of the other elements which would have made it a special experience. In spite of Christian Bale's best efforts, the movie remains a linear narrative, not an inspiring experience. We did expect Ridley Scott to deliver something better with such a great tale. In spite of that Exodus is a big effort to retell one of the greatest stories ever and needs to be seen.

Doesn't move or inspire as expected.
2.5/5

The Dark Knight Rises: Review

More Bruce and Bane than Batman!

‘If you want peace, prepare for war’, goes a saying. Gotham is at peace, but they are not preparing for war. Harry Dent is an immortalized hero. Bruce Wayne is a recluse in his mansion and Batman is an evil who has been forgotten as history by the people of Gotham. Eight years after he was last seen, the Dark Knight Rises again. One last time for Gotham, for his people, but more than everything because this is the only way he can reclaim his life.

The Dark Knight Rises; the way the legend ends (as they claim it does) is as grim and serious as a Batman movie has ever got. A constant feeling of numb brooding, of intense agony, of pain, and the search for one’s redemption or salvation. The Dark Knight is more about the Batman’s internal conflicts than it is about the dangers that face Gotham city; which are pretty immense by the way. That is what is good and bad about the movie at the same time. Almost everyone can connect to Bruce Wayne and the identity crisis that he faces, the pain he feels and his wish to be rid of the weight on his shoulders, to have a life for himself. But, we are in here to see an action movie aren’t we? Yes, we are Batman fans and want to see the Batman. In the end, you have seen more of Bruce than Batman.

The premise is pretty simple. Another dark force, this time appropriately called ‘Bane’, has set his sights on Gotham. But, he is no ordinary thug; he is out to fulfil what he calls the destiny of Rah’s Al Gul, Bruce Wayne’s mentor. So, we know that the Batman is up against a force that is perhaps as strong as him. Add to it the fact that ‘Bane’ is backed by some big power and an underground army; not to forget that Bruce Wayne has remained shut indoors for eight years. He is not as agile as he was, even though he is not willing to admit it.  But, underestimating Bane comes at a heavy price. Batman finds himself in the gallows and Gotham is at the mercy of Bane. Will the Dark Knight Rise again? Sure, we know he will! But, what does it take and what does it cost?

We know that the Batman franchise, especially under Nolan, has not been the usual superhero type movies. Its not all about one powerful villain after another coming and launching a series of attacks and the superhero always arriving on time to save the day. We know that Nolan thinks above that level. But, this time, maybe he stretched it a bit too much. Well, you can give the first hour for solidly establishing the premise. But then, you want to see Batman. He makes a couple of fleeting appearances before disappearing for another hour. Meanwhile, an anarchy is set up in Gotham, all order is overthrown. It is around here that the tedium begins to set in. While Gotham struggles to stand on its feet, so does Batman. Having an entire city on tenterhooks, establishing a parallel law and order system, carrying out executions and preparing for ultimate destruction; all this are shown in so much detail that makes you stifle a few yawns. And, in the middle of that you also have to see Bruce Wayne taking push ups, waiting for his chance in some prison. Legends about Rah’s Al Gul, a child, Bane are all thrown into the mix. All the while, you know how this is going to end, almost! The dank, almost depressing mood in these portions makes The Dark Knight Rises unlike any superhero movie we have seen.

Of course, there are things that are immensely enjoyable too. You get the ever-likeable Morgan Freeman bringing his demeanour and elegant humor into play as Lucius Fox, you have Michael Caine as the butler, the Batpod and assorted paraphernalia, including a car that is not just a car, that have always been Batman specialties. It is these familiar things about the Batman franchise that you enjoy most. Unfortunately, they are overshadowed by other elements, like Bane, the legend of the child who made the great leap and all details of an anarchist occupation. That we don’t see as much of the Batpod as we would like is in itself a big drawback for the movie. The action really doesn’t thrill you, nor does Bane (really no match for the Joker). It’s a plot that could have made for some racy, gripping action. But, Nolan chooses to plod through it, giving us glimpses into the character’s minds and hearts, compromising for pace, holding a few aces for the end, building up to a culmination that leaves no room for questions.

Of course, Nolan succeeds in emotionally connecting us to Bruce Wayne. As his butler puts it, even you want him to drop the cape and find a life of his own. But, the routes Nolan takes to establish the emotional connect spoils the fun of what could have been a superhero entertainer. You will, however, enjoy the wit that occurs in flashes in a few lines, the dramatic entry of The Dark Knight on his Batpod and the adrenaline that accompanies it. You will also remember some of the inspirational lines placed here and there, like, ‘allowing fear to find you once again’. And, most of all you will love the way the movie ends.

Nolan has chosen perhaps the most poetic of endings for the franchise. But, which Hollywood studio in its right mind would end a successful franchise without giving a hint that its not over yet. Where one legend ends, another begins. As the lady at the desk says to the cop who has just resigned, ‘I like your name. You should use it more often, Robin!’ The Dark Knight will rise again.

Verdict: The Dark Knight Rises – but doesn’t fly high!