'Lion King-3D' - An excuse to revisit the masterpiece

Film : "Lion King-3D";

Voiceovers : Matthew Broderick, Jeremy Irons and James Earl Jones

Director : Roger Allers, Rob Minkoff;

Rating : ****1/2

Once there was a lion cub who accidentally got dropped amid sheep and grew up believing and bawling like sheep. One day when a group of lions waylaid him and asked what a lion was doing amid sheep, he shivered for his life and said he was a sheep. They told him he was a lion and asked him to roar, but to no avail.

Dejected, the lions left. Till later that day, looking at his reflection, he realised who he truly was and roared and found his true place in the circle of life. It is this story that inspired Swami Vivekananda to say: 'O lions, shake of the delusion that you are sheep; you are souls immortal, spirits free, blest and eternal.'

And it is perhaps this fable and this saying that gave birth to a little animation film that with its impeccable dialogues, life-altering lyrics, perfectly-etched characters and a truthful demeanour, waltzed itself into the hearts and minds of millions.

The circle of life has brought that classic back to the theatres, over a decade and half later -- this time in 3D.

It is never too late to revisit an eternal classic, no reason small enough, no excuse untenable in this pursuit. Hence, even though "Lion King" comes draped in the excuse of 3D, it deserves a revisit in theatres.

After falsely considering himself to be the reason for his father's death, the heir to the throne, lion prince Simba, runs away. In the meantime, his uncle Scar takes over the kingdom while his pals - the hyenas, ransack everything. One day, the prodigal son returns to take his rightful place.

With a film like "Lion King" that is strong on all elements that make for good, enduring cinema, its visual dimension - 2D or 3D - does not matter.

Still, being restored in new 3D version becomes good enough reason for lovers of this classic to pay a reverent visit to the theatres to glimpse this spectacle. Also it is time, that those who grew up on this film, share its pleasure with their children.

"Lion King" is as perfect a children's film as there ever was or perhaps can be. It is simple in its story line, yet has depth and lessons that ring true for young and old. And it delivers these without being pedagogical.

Add to it the songs of Elton John, lyrics by Tim Rice and Music by Hans Zimmer and you have yourself a one in a million film.

"Lion King", in its 90 minutes duration, teaches children more about love of life on earth than a year of National Geographic or Animal Kingdom can. It also teaches more about courage, dignity, valour and honour than any number of years of school teaching can.

These are two of the greatest strengths of this magnificently imagined and directed film that satisfies at the cinematic, emotional and intellectual level at the same time.

The reason for it -- ageless spirit is also because it is a metaphor against fear telling us that it is only by conquering our fears, no matter what they are, can we take our rightful place in the circle of life.

A song in the film rightly says, "There's more to be seen, than could ever be seen." Make sure that "Lion King" in theatres is one of those things that you do not fail to see in this lifetime.

'Veppam' lacks punch - Movie Review

Cast : Nani, Karthik Kumar, Muthukumar, Nithya Menen, Bindu Madhavi;
Director : Anjana Ali Khan;
Producer : Photon Kathaas and RS Infotainment (Gautam Menon);
Composer : Joshua Sridhar;
Rating : **
"Veppam" is yet another movie attempting to depict the world of underprivileged and the inevitable underworld that thrives along. Debutant director Anjana, who made ad films before joining Goutham Vasudev Menon, has made the film look slick, thanks to her narrative style and Om Prakash's cinematography.
The script shows her hard work, but it also betrays her shortcomings in making a gripping movie about poor.

The beginning is interesting. It starts with young girl Revathy (Nithya Menen) casually walking into the sea and getting drowned. It looks like a suicide, but you cannot be sure about it as the camera follows the caption that reads '18 years back...'

Cut to the past, you see an ailing mother in a slum area struggling for her life. Her sons are tensed, but her husband Jothi (Shimmor) is desperate for money to buy booze. He even beats up his sons and wife and pushes off.

A stereotypical portrayal of a poor home in a slum area, you might think. Wait. There is more shocking elements in the film. The mother eats poison. Reason? To relieve her sons from the burden of looking after her. The father is still unperturbed, but a good hearted neighbour comes to their rescue by taking the responsibility of raising them.

Elder brother Balaji (Muthukumar) follows in the footsteps of his guardian and becomes a painter, while younger Karthik (Nani) is in college.

Vishnu (Karthik) is Karthik's best friend. Guardian's daughter Revathy and Karthik fall in love.

The irresponsible Jothi has now become a pimp and Viji (Bindhu Madhavi) is among the sex workers he maintains. Vishnu falls for Viji.

Then comes Ammaji (Jennifer), a female don who rules the roost. Jothi is dependent on her for his survival.

Vishnu wants quick money and approaches Jothi to get him some work. What happens after that is the movie all about.

It could have been an engrossing affair with plot having interesting twists and turns - two brothers with disturbed past, a girl, who loves a boy who is not settled yet, an irresponsible father who becomes a pimp, a love affair of a sex worker, the clash between underworld operators, and a mystery over drug pocket and a murder.

But Anjana hasn't succeeded in putting all these into a good film. The script is slow and at times, confusing. The director takes a long time to establish the intimacy between Karthik, Vishnu and Revathy.

The first half doesn't move forward at all. The main conflict between the frustrated sons and scandalous father could have been engaging. But the director brings in too many sub-plots that dilute the overall impact.

The complex relationship between the brothers is not well etched. The build-up about Ammaji looks funny given the way it is busted by two youngsters without much strain.

Cinematographer Om Prakash and music director Joshwa Sridhar have added value to the film by their creativity. Nani is a surprise package while the casting of Bindhu Madhavi as a sex worker is interesting. Both have done their parts well.

Karthik, usually seen as software engineer in movies, takes a different role (rustic) and does justice to it. Nithya Menon looks slim and plays her role with ease.

Director Anjana's narrative style is slick and smart. But she has to brush up her skills in scriptwriting to make an engrossing movie. She has done her homework well but her depiction is replete with stereotype scenes.

The attempt to provide us with a realistic depiction on the rougher sections of the city falls short of expectations, as the whole effort looks like an outsider's view.

Overall, the movie has some positives in terms of looks and narrative style, but it lacks the punch.