LONDON HAS FALLEN

The Golden rule in Hollywood is that if you have a hit action movie with a bankable star, then you do not let go the opportunity to make a sequel. When Olympus Had Fallen entertained us quite well, very few of us would have imagined that there would be a sequel to it. But, it turns out that the makers smelt the opportunity and went in for the kill.

So, we have Gerard Butler returning as Mike Banning, the man who will not let the President of the USA come to any harm. From Washington DC the setting of the action is moved to London and all the world’s leaders are assembled there for ‘the most protected even on earth’. The makers have gone ahead and created characters who are very similar to the Heads of states of different European and Asian nations. The ones with most obvious similarities are the German and Italian premieres. But, the President of the USA has no similarities to the real man because they wanted to have the same cast as in Olympus Has Fallen. And so, Aaron Eckhart returns as the President. And then we have usual suspect Morgan Freeman as the Vice President who gets to do the same role as before, sit in a chair and watch all the action on the big monitor while also talking/negotiating with the terrorists.

The terror outfit this time is from somewhere in Asia and out to wreak vengeance because Americans

used unmanned bombers to take out an entire family. And, this time the attack is far bigger, far better planned (though we are never told how it was all planned), and the visual effects are far far more extreme. If the budget for the first movie allowed for wholesale destruction of the White House, this time the budget has been stretched to cover the blow up of almost an entire city. The Westminister Abbey is blown up, London bridge is in pieces, at least 5 heads of state are dead within minutes and the only the President of the USA survives with his trusted bodyguard.

Saying all these plot elements don’t serve as spoilers because almost everybody knows what is coming. The only fun is in knowing how and when it comes. The ‘how’ of the entire operation, the sneaky plan of having the President as a prisoner in his own high-security bunker was the thrill factor in Olympus Has Fallen. In London though, the plan from the terrorists seems to be bomb, shoot, bomb, shoot and bomb until no one is alive. It gets a bit deafening after a point. The real excitement comes in the form of a close fought gun battle inside an MI6 safe house in London. The darkness and the deserted look of the streets of London (something similar to the lockdown of Gotham in The Dark Knight Rises) could have been used more effectively for a game of cat and mouse, but the director seems to be in a hurry to resume all the shooting and

bombing again. That said, the gun fights are quite well shot, with the protagonist being shown as an experienced strategist who knows how and when to take cover. And the final stretch inside a building with Banning going in solo unnoticed (quite like what happened in Olympus Has Fallen) is quite interesting even though short lived; you get a good finish. And then Morgan Freeman reenters to polish it off in a matter of fact style that only he can manage, as if he is ordering a sandwich for lunch.

The reliable Gerard Butler, on screen for the second time in two weeks after Gods of Egypt, makes it worth a watch. Of course, Morgan Freeman is always a good actor to have on the big screen. And, there is a relentless barrage of action. No way you will be bored. Just go in and have a nice time without expecting anything too special.

No surprises; but watchable action flick!

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!