SISU: ROAD TO REVENGE is a brutal yet gripping sequel with Jorma Tommila’s phenomenal act Movie Review: SISU: ROAD TO REVENGE is a brutal yet gripping sequel

Star Cast: Jorma Tommila, Stephen Lang

Director: Jalmari Helander

Sisu: Road To Revenge Movie Review Synopsis: SISU: ROAD TO REVENGE is the story of a man who cannot die. Two years after the events of the first part, that is, in 1946, Aatami Korpi (Jorma Tommila) travels to Soviet-occupied Karelia to his residence. It is also the place where his family was brutally murdered, thus turning him into a killing machine. Aatami dismantles his old family house, loads the wood onto a truck and decides to travel to Finland to rebuild it in the honour of his wife and children. Meanwhile, the Red Army discovers Aatami's presence on their soil. A top KGB officer (Richard Brake) summons Igor Draganov (Stephen Lang). Igor is languishing in jail and he's the one who killed Aatami's family. In short, Igor made him 'Koshchei', aka the Immortal. Hence, Igor is asked to finish Aatami and the legend associated with him once and for all. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

Sisu: Road To Revenge Movie Story Review: Jalmari Helander's story is exciting. Jalmari Helander's screenplay is captivating and this time, the cinematic liberties are there but not too extreme, unlike last time. The dialogues are very minimal.

Jalmari Helander's direction is exemplary. Yet again, the protagonist is mute and certain scenes don't have any dialogues whatsoever. Moreover, the stakes are higher and hence, even the scale is many notches higher. This means that the action scenes are more exciting and, in some scenes, even more gory. The initial chase scene is gripping, but the one involving airplanes is clapworthy. The scene involving the tank at the Soviet Border Station is also quite imaginative. Jalmari doesn't give out his best initially; he reserves some for the final fight. The very last scene is unusual and heartening.

On the flipside, a few cinematic liberties, though not as extreme as those present in SISU [2022], are still there and they are very unconvincing. Gore is the USP of the film, but in some places, the makers go to insane lengths. The glass breaking in the train bogie scene had no relevance. The moment anyway was quite nail-biting and the glass needlessly added the bloodshed to the sequence. Lastly, the first part didn't find many takers in India and hence, a question mark arises on the prospect of the sequel.

Sisu: Road To Revenge Movie Review Performances: Jorma Tommila is simply unbelievable. To enact without any dialogue and just through the eyes is a feat and Jorma pulls it off effortlessly. This is a performance that perhaps deserves an Academy nomination. Stephen Lang is a welcome addition and he performs aptly. Richard Brake does well in a small role.

Sisu: Road To Revenge movie music and other technical aspects: Juri Seppä and Tuomas Wäinölä's music is energetic and much-needed in a film with such few dialogues. Mika Orasmaa's cinematography is exemplary and adds to the film's scale. The action is extremely disturbing and not for the faint-hearted. However, the imagination of the action team deserves kudos as a few stunts will leave viewers amazed. Troll VFX's VFX is top-notch. Pille Küngas's costumes and production design are authentic. Juho Virolainen's editing is slick.

Sisu: Road To Revenge Movie Review Conclusion: On the whole, SISU: ROAD TO REVENGE is a brutal yet gripping sequel that scores with its imaginative action, striking visuals and Jorma Tommila’s phenomenal, near-silent performance, but is weighed down by excessive gore and some unconvincing cinematic liberties. With virtually zero following in India for the first film and such a niche, hyper-violent treatment, its box office prospects here are extremely limited, appealing primarily to a small segment of hardcore action buffs.

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MASTIII 4 offers only sporadic chuckles and is bogged down by needlessly crude humour Movie Review: MASTIII 4 offers only sporadic chuckles

Star Cast: Riteish Deshmukh, Vivek Oberoi, Aftab Shivdasani

Director: Milap Milan Zaveri

Mastiii 4 Movie Review Synopsis: MASTIII 4 is the story of four friends who get into trouble. Amar (Riteish Deshmukh), Prem (Aftab Shivdasani) and Meet (Vivek Oberoi) are three pals based in the UK. Amar works in a zoo and is a ‘master-mator’, as he helps animals in mating. Prem is a doctor, while Meet works in the automobile industry. Amar, Prem and Meet are married to Bindiya (Elnaaz Norouzi), Geeta (Ruhi Singh) and Aanchal (Shreya Sharma). The trio are not happy with their married lives for various reasons. They attend the tenth wedding anniversary of their friends, Kamraj (Arshad Warsi) and Menaka (Nargis Fakhri). Kamraj is deeply in love with his wife and Bindiya, Geeta and Aanchal are jealous of their relationship. Amar, Prem and Meet get suspicious that Kamraj must be cheating on his wife. Their doubts are confirmed as they catch Kamraj red-handed, having fun with ten girls. They inform Menaka about it but shockingly, she doesn’t object. This is when Kamraj informs the trio that he has secured a ‘Love Visa’ from his wife. It means that for a week, he’s allowed to have extra-marital affairs. Menaka believes that once the week-long period ends, Kamraj doesn’t look at any other woman and turns into a dutiful husband. Amar, Prem and Meet are fascinated by the ‘Love Visa’ concept and decide to ask their wives for it. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

Mastiii 4 Movie Story Review: Farrukh Dhondy and Milap Milan Zaveri's story has all the trappings of a laugh-a-minute riot. Farrukh Dhondy and Milap Milan Zaveri's screenplay falls short and is riddled with very few jokes that land as intended. Milap Milan Zaveri and Abhinav Vaidya's dialogues raise laughs in some places. Sadly, a few of them have been tweaked courtesy the Censor Board.

Milap Milan Zaveri's direction is okay. On the positive side, visually, the film looks fresh and has been shot in an A-grade manner. Even the opening credits are appealing. There's not a single dull moment as a lot is happening in the film every minute. The songs are poor but are well picturized. A few jokes definitely raise a lot of laughs and will be enjoyed by the masses and frontbenchers.

Mastiii 4 – Official Trailer | Riteish Deshmukh | Vivek Oberoi | Aftab Shivdasani | 21st Nov

Despite the plusses, the film fails to entice. The twist is predictable and similar to the one seen before in one of the films of the series. The majority of the jokes fall flat and the writing is to blame here. It's sad as well as shocking to see that a famous funny one-liner from MAIN TERA HERO [2014] has been blatantly lifted and incorporated in MASTIII 4. It makes one wonder if the makers ran out of ideas. Some jokes are too crude and crass and even the masses might reject it. A scene in the pre-climax involving toilet humour is distasteful and one wonders how it even got approved in the first place.

Mastiii 4 Movie Review Performances: Riteish Deshmukh puts in a sincere effort and plays his part well. Vivek Oberoi goes overboard in several scenes. Aftab Shivdasani, too, is over the top but somehow manages to do justice to his part. Elnaaz Norouzi, Ruhi Sharma and Shreya Sharma are decent at best. Shaad Randhawa (Virat) is dependable. Tusshar Kapoor (Don Pablo Putinwa) gets to play a funny character, but is let down by the writing; the makers could have gone all out with this character. Nishant Singh Malkani (Sid Walia) is passable. Genelia Deshmukh is lovely in a cameo.

Mastiii 4 movie music and other technical aspects: The songs are not exciting, be it the title song, 'Pakad Pakad', 'One In Crore', or the one in the pre-climax. Vishal Shelke's background score is appropriate.

Sanket Shah's cinematography gives the film a fresh look. Tajamul Ismail Shaikh and Anshita Manot's production design is rich. Avni Gumber's costumes are stylish. White Apple's VFX is substandard. Sanjay Sankla's editing is decent.

Mastiii 4 Movie Review Conclusion: On the whole, MASTIII 4 offers only sporadic chuckles and is otherwise bogged down by lame, recycled and needlessly crude humour. At the box office, its prospects appear extremely weak.

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WICKED: FOR GOOD fails to impress due to weak direction and underwhelming second half Movie Review: WICKED: FOR GOOD fails to impress due to weak direction

Star Cast: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande

Director: Jon M Chu

Wicked: For Good Movie Review Synopsis: WICKED: FOR GOOD is the story of two friends. Five years after the events of the first part, Elphaba Thropp (Cynthia Erivo), now known as the Wicked Witch of the West, continues to fight for animal rights and save them from exploitation. Glinda (Ariana Grande) has been assigned by the Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Jeff Goldblum) and Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh) to spread positivity and goodness as the administration spreads lies that Elphaba is trying to destroy Oz. Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey) is now the Captain of the Gale Force and is assigned the duty of hunting down Elphaba. Unknown to Madame Morrible and the Wizard, Glinda and Fiyero are sympathetic to Elphaba. Elphaba's father passes away and her sister Nessarose (Marissa Bode) is now the governor of Munchkinland. She, too, loves Elphaba but has no qualms in taking harsh decisions against her sister, so that no one assumes that she's sympathetic to her. Elphaba tries to help Nessarose but ends up putting her and her partner, Boq (Ethan Slater), into trouble. The animals, for whom she's fighting, also decide to leave Oz after they learn that it was she who gave wings to the monkeys in the Wizard Palace. Elphaba decides to head to the Emerald City and that too on the day Glinda is getting engaged to Fiyero. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

Wicked: For Good Movie Story Review: The story is fascinating, but it loses steam in the second half. Winnie Holzman and Dana Fox's screenplay has its share of riveting and dramatic moments. However, it leaves a lot to be desired, just like the principal plot. The dialogues are in sync with the film's mood and theme.

Jon M Chu's direction this time doesn't entice like it did in WICKED [2024]. To give credit where it's due, the beginning portions are captivating. He smartly makes a political commentary; several happenings in the film mirror realities of today like fake news being spread for vested interests, the common public is constantly reminded of an enemy from time to time, etc. The humour quotient this time is limited as things get serious in Oz, but it's still there and it works.

On the flipside, the makers don't inform viewers that five years have passed since the events of WICKED. Hence, it feels a bit sudden to see Glinda, Fiyero and Nessarose progress so much in life and it's only after a while that one understands that a lot of time has passed. After a watchable first half, the film falls post-interval. The scene of the tornado is bizarre; no explanation is given why Nessarose is out in the open when everyone is behind closed doors. Similarly, the finale is not properly executed and the developments are difficult to digest. The songs act as roadblocks and it further makes the post-interval portions tedious.

Wicked: For Good Movie Review Performances: Cynthia Erivo yet again plays her part with ease and especially scores in scenes where she’s angry. Ariana Grande is adorable; she and Cynthis make the second half bearable. Jeff Goldblum and Michelle Yeoh lend able support. The dashing Jonathan Bailey makes his presence felt. Marissa Bode and Ethan Slater lend able support.

Wicked: For Good movie music and other technical aspects: The songs are lovely but some of them don't make the desired impact as they needlessly lengthen the film's run time. John Powell and Stephen Schwartz's background score is much better.

Alice Brooks's cinemtography is spectacular and it is complimented by top-class VFX, Nathan Crowley's rich production design and Paul Tazewell's regal costumes. Myron Kerstein's editing should have been slicker.

  Wicked: For Good Movie Review Conclusion: On the whole, WICKED: FOR GOOD fails to impress due to weak direction and an underwhelming second half. It will open with a bang in its home market, but in India, its prospects appear limited, given the low familiarity with the brand and its world.

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120 BAHADUR stands as a sincere and stirring salute to the heroes of Rezang La, powered by immersive war detailing and a commanding performance by Farhan Akhtar Movie Review: 120 BAHADUR stands as a sincere and stirring salute

Star Cast: Farhan Akhtar, Raashii Khanna

Director: Razneesh 'Razy' Ghai 

120 Bahadur Movie Review Synopsis: 120 BAHADUR is the story of bravery and valour. The year is 1962. In October, the Chinese troops began their march towards Ladakh. Major Shaitan Singh Bhati (Farhan Akhtar) heads the 13th Battalion of Kumaon Regiment; his platoon is holding a position at Rezang La in the Chushul sector. Chushul consists of an airstrip and the Chinese are desperate to capture this sector. Shaitan realizes the importance of Chushul and fears that if the Chinese gain control of it, they can also be at an advantage to capture the rest of Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir. On November 17, Major Shaitan Singh Bhati spots more than 3000 Chinese soldiers marching towards Rezang La. He informs the army headquarters and his senior asks him to leave Rezang La since the Indian side is outnumbered. But Major Shaitan Singh Bhati tells his commanding officer that he and his 120 brave men would not leave their position and fight the enemy until their last breath. What happens next forms the rest of the film. 

120 Bahadur Movie Story Review: 120 BAHADUR is based on true events. Rajiv G Goswami tells a story that many don't know about and that works to the advantage of the makers. Rajiv G Goswami's screenplay is engaging during the war scenes but leaves a lot to be desired otherwise. Sumit Arora's dialogues are conversational and clapwothy in a few places.

Razneesh 'Razy' Ghai's direction is decent. To give credit where it's due, he has gone all out. At a time when films are filmed against green screen in studios, he has shot the film in real and extremely challenging locations. In terms of authenticity, the film scores distinction marks. The war scenes are executed with finesse and moreover, the film pays a great tribute to Major Shaitan Singh Bhati and the 120 brave men under his leadership who chose to fight despite having the option to fall back.

On the flipside, the first half is very ordinary. The scenes of the build-up, Major Shaitan Singh Bhati's flashback and the comedy among his regiment give a deja vu of films like BORDER [1997], KESARI [2019], SHERSHAAH [2021] etc. All these films had great music score and this film lacks in that department. There's a subplot of a rookie soldier; ideally, the makers should have explored it a bit more and made it more dramatic, as it was novel. However, the makers rushed through this track. 

120 Bahadur | Official Trailer | Farhan Akhtar | Raashii Khanna | 21st November

120 Bahadur Movie Review Performances: This is Farhan Akhtar’s first film as an actor after nearly 4 ½ years and he’s terrific without a doubt. He underplays his part and also shows his angry side as required and he impresses in both avatars. Raashii Khanna (Sugan) is lovely in a special appearance. Ajinkya Ramesh Deo (Brigadier) and Eijaz Khan (Commanding Officer) lend able support. From the armymen, debutant Sparsh Walia (Radio Operator Ramchander Yadav) gets the maximum screen time and he delivers a very fine performance. Vivan Bhatena (Jemadar Surja Ram) is the next best followed by Ashutosh Shukla (Dharampal) and Brijesh Karanwala (Jairam Kaka). Others who do well are Dhanveer Singh (Jemadar Hariram Singh), Digvijay Pratap (Jemadar Saab), Sahib Verma (Nanha), Devendra Ahirwar (Baingan), Ankit Siwach (Ramlal), and Atul Singh (Nihal Singh). Marcus Mok (General Gao) is fair while Seng Soo Ming (Major Memeti) is over the top. Yet, it works for his character. 

120 Bahadur movie music and other technical aspects: Songs – 'Yaad Aate Hain', 'Main Hoon Woh Dharti Maa' and 'Naina Re Lobhi' – fail to entice or move the viewers. Satish Raghunathan's background score is heroic. Tetsuo Nagata's cinematography is spectacular. Ladakh has never been shot in this manner before. Marek Svitek's action is in sync with the film's mood. And unlike the trend today, it's not gory or disturbing. Theia Tekchandaney's costumes and Shailaja Sharma's production design are authentic. Nolabel, Frame X and Fortune Leaf's VFX is satisfactory. 

120 Bahadur Movie Review Conclusion: On the whole, 120 BAHADUR stands as a sincere and stirring salute to the heroes of Rezang La, powered by immersive war detailing and a commanding performance by Farhan Akhtar. However, the routine first half, been-there-done-that type of moments and underwhelming music hold it back from becoming truly unforgettable. At the box office, the film will have to rely heavily on strong word of mouth and patriotic sentiment to find success.

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DE DE PYAAR DE 2 impresses with its compelling performances, relatable narrative, and an entertaining fusion of humour and drama Movie Review: DE DE PYAAR DE 2 impresses

Star Cast: Ajay Devgn, R Madhavan, Rakul Preet Singh

Director: Anshul Sharma

De De Pyaar De 2 Movie Review Synopsis: DE DE PYAAR DE 2 is the story of a man trying to win over his girlfriend's parents. After the events of the first part, Ashish Mehra (Ajay Devgn) starts living in with Ayesha Khanna (Rakul Preet Singh) in London. 6 months later, Ayesha goes to her hometown, Chandigarh, in time for the birth of brother Rohan (Tarun Gahlot) and his wife Kittu's (Ishita Dutta) child. Ayesha feels that it would be a good time to confess to her father, Rakesh (R Madhavan) and mother Anju (Gautami Kapoor) that she's dating a man who's 24 years old to her. Kittu prematurely blurts out to Rakesh and Anju that Ayesha is dating. Ayesha simply tells her parents that her boyfriend is older than her. Assuming that Ashish might be older than a few years, they assure it's not a problem and request a meeting. As expected, they get a jolt when they realize Ayesha is way older than they thought. It creates a rift between Ayesha and Rakesh. Ayesha is so angry with her father's behaviour that she returns to London and contemplates marrying Ashish without her parents. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

De De Pyaar De 2 Movie Story Review: Luv Ranjan's story is original, especially the various twists and turns. At the same time, they carry his trademark stamp. Tarun Jain and Luv Ranjan's screenplay is full of humour and drama in adequate doses, though the writing gets far-fetched in the second half. Tarun Jain and Luv Ranjan's dialogues are one of the pillars of the film. Certain references to previous films, TV shows etc. will bring the house down.

Anshul Sharma's direction is entertaining. He neatly takes the franchise forward and ensures that the tonality of the sequel is the same as part 1. Moreover, the film never drags or slows down. Something or the other is happening in every scene. In fact, there are no songs in the first half. Also, usually, the pre-interval portion is reserved for fun while the drama takes centre stage later on. But in DE DE PYAAR DE 2, the first half is a mix of comedy and confrontation, and it makes for a great watch. The intermission point is interesting. Post-interval, the madness goes many notches higher once Adi (Meezaan Jafri) enters the narrative. The conversation between Ashish and Rakesh is memorable.

On the flipside, the second half is too far-fetched. There’s no doubt that the twist is unexpected and the makers attempted to give the audience a different experience. At the same time, it’ll leave viewers divided – while some might be impressed, the other half will find it outright silly. The film gets better in the finale, but even this part might have its share of adversaries. The other weak point is music. A film like this ought to have chartbuster songs.

De De Pyaar De 2 – Official Trailer | Ajay Devgn, R. Madhavan, Rakul Preet, Meezaan Jafri

De De Pyaar De 2 Movie Review Performances: Ajay Devgn is dependable as always. Though his screen time is comparatively less, he makes his presence felt from start to finish. In some scenes, he uses his eyes to do the talking and its quite impressive. R Madhavan rocks the show. Only a seasoned actor like him could have essayed the role with such perfection. Rakul Preet Singh dominates some key scenes. She looks stunning and delivers one of her best or arguably the best performance of her career. Meezaan Jafri also gives his career-best act. Gautami Kapoor lends able support. Jaaved Jaaferi (Ronak) is too good and raises laughs. Ishita Dutta has a crucial role in the first half and does well. Tarun Gahlot gets no scope. Suhasini Mulay (Nani) steals the show with just one scene. Gracy Goswami (Tia) and Anvesha Vij (Dia) are okay. Ankur Nayyar (Babbi) is wasted.

De De Pyaar De 2 movie music and other technical aspects: Songs won't have a long shelf life but are well-woven. 'Raat Bhar' is the best of the lot followed by 'Baabul Ve'. '3 Shaukk' and 'Aakhri Salaam' are passable. 'Jhoom Barabar Jhoom' appears in the end credits. Hitesh Sonik's background score adds to the commercial feel. Sudhir K Chaudhary's cinematography is satisfactory. Samidha Wangnoo's costumes are glamorous, especially the ones worn by Rakul. Sumit Basu and Manini Mishra's production design is theatrical. Chetan M Solanki's editing is slick.

De De Pyaar De 2 Movie Review Conclusion: On the whole, DE DE PYAAR DE 2 impresses with its compelling performances, relatable narrative, and an entertaining fusion of humour and drama. At the box office, the film possesses strong prospects of sustaining and expanding its run over the weekend and thereafter, particularly if favourable word of mouth regarding its emotional quotient and comedic moments gains momentum.

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THE RUNNING MAN has a great premise but its long runtime and weak second half dilute the impact. With low buzz, it’s likely to struggle in India Movie Review: THE RUNNING MAN has a great premise

Star Cast: Glen Powell, Josh Brolin

Director: Edgar Wright

The Running Man Movie Review Synopsis: THE RUNNING MAN is the man of a common man who brings social change. The film is set in the future and America has become a totalitarian dystopia and under the control of an organization named Network. Ben Richards (Glen Powell), a resident of the Slumside in Co-Op City, is married to Sheila (Jayme Lawson) and they have a daughter named Cathy. Ben has been fired several times and is under financial stress. Moreover, Cathy is severely ill and they need to make quick cash to save her life. The only way to do so, according to Ben, is to participate in a TV show called 'The Running Man', run by the Network. Sheila is against this idea as contestants of the TV show usually get killed; such are the rules of the game. Yet, Ben decides to participate. Dan Killian (Josh Brolin), the show's producer, also persuades Ben to go for it, as the former realizes that the latter's attitude and arrogance will lead to higher viewership. Ben agrees and as per the rules, he now has to run to save his life and give a better future to his family. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

The Running Man Movie Story Review: THE RUNNING MAN is based on the novel by the same name by Stephen King. The story is fascinating and relevant as some of the aspects shown in the film mirror the reality, albeit only to some extent. Michael Bacall and Edgar Wright's screenplay is peppered with dramatic and action scenes, but loses steam after a point. The dialogues are sharp.

Edgar Wright's direction is decent. He introduces the dystopian world very well and tries his best to keep the narrative simple. The rules of the game are a bit complicated and this is where the film goes over the head. But once the game show begins, the narrative gets simplified automatically. The action scenes in the first half keep the interest going. Gradually, Ben becomes a messiah and this bit also adds to the fun.

On the flipside, the second half is not as exciting as the novelty wears off. The track of Amelia (Emilia Jones) doesn't work as intended. Elton's (Michael Cera) track is promising but his decision to call the Network authorities seems far-fetched. Also, the Network, after a point, attempts to stop civilians from assassinating Ben. However, no one can be in so much control, especially when a section of the population is baying for his blood. The climax is also quite convenient.

The Running Man Movie Review Performances: Glen Powell is apt for the part and he brings the right amount of vulnerability, anger and star value. However, his temper issues initially don't come across convincingly. Josh Brolin is aptly cast and delivers a bravura performance. Jayme Lawson is lovely in a supporting role. Colman Domingo (Bobby T) gets into the skin of the character flawlessly. Lee Pace (Evan McCone) is decent. Michael Cera plays his part with panache while Emilia Jones is fair. Daniel Ezra (Bradley) leaves a mark. William H. Macy (Molie), Katy O'Brian (Laughlin), Martin Herlihy (Jansky) and others are fine.

The Running Man movie music and other technical aspects: Steven Price's music has a commercial appeal. Chung-hoon Chung's cinematography is breathtaking. Marcus Rowland's production design is futuristic, while Julian Day's costumes are realistic. Paul Machliss' editing should have been slicker.

The Running Man Movie Review Conclusion: On the whole, THE RUNNING MAN rests on a fascinating premise but fails to entice due to its long length and weak second half. It has negligible buzz and hence, it’ll struggle to find an audience in India.

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NOW YOU SEE ME: NOW YOU DON'T has its share of entertaining moments but it falls short Movie Review: NOW YOU SEE ME: NOW YOU DON'T has its share of entertaining moments

Star Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco, Isla Fisher, Rosamund Pike

Director: Ruben Fleischer 

Now You See Me: Now You Don't Movie Review Synopsis: NOW YOU SEE ME: NOW YOU DON'T is the story of the return of the Horsemen. Nearly ten years after the events of NOW YOU SEE ME 2 [2016], it comes to light that the Four Horsemen - J Daniel Atlas (Jesse Eisenberg), Merritt McKinney (Woody Harrelson), Jack Wilder (Dave Franco) and Henley Reeves (Isla Fisher) - perform a magic show in New York. Bosco Leroy (Dominic Sessa) is present in the audience; he's called on the stage and Merritt puts him to sleep. In a trick that stuns the audience, they 'enter' his body and steal money from a crypto businessman, also present in the audience. Interestingly, it comes to light that Horsemen were not present at the show and they didn't even shoot it. Bosco and his friends, Charlie (Justice Smith) and June (Ariana Greenblatt) planned the whole thing. Atlas enters their hideout and confronts them over their mischief. He also informs them that The Eye has enlisted them for a heist. This time, the target is Veronika Vanderberg (Rosamund Pike), whose diamond company is a front for funding some of the biggest crime syndicates of the world. Veronika owns Heart, the world's largest queen diamond, and this is what The Eye wants them to steal. Atlas is not alone. He's joined by Merritt, Jack and Henley. However, the Horsemen don't seem to be the best of friends anymore, adding to the complications. What happens next forms the rest of the film. 

Now You See Me: Now You Don't Movie Story Review: Eric Warren Singer and Michael Lesslie have written a story that must have sounded exciting on paper. Michael Lesslie, Paul Wernick, Rhett Reese and Seth Grahame-Smith's screenplay has its share of entertaining moments but falls short to some extent when compared to the previous parts. The dialogues are hilarious.

Ruben Fleischer's direction is simple and massy. To give credit where it's due, a few magic tricks shown in the film do catch your attention and raise a 'how did they do it' kind of curiosity among the viewers. This is especially in Charlie and Co's trick and the one involving the diamond. The film also scores with the humour quotient. The police station, too, adds to the madness.

On the flipside, the makers don't up the stakes. Viewers have seen far more exciting and astonishing heists in the first two films of the series and this film falls short on that front. The trick in the climax is a similar one done in the last film. In fact, the film falls in the second half and ideally, the makers should have come up with a better culmination. The suspense is unexpected, but again, it doesn't wow you. 

Now You See Me: Now You Don't Movie Review Performances: Jesse Eisenberg, as always, delivers a suave and cool performance. Woody Harrelson yet again proves to be a scene-stealer. Dave Franco gets limited screen time and is passable. Isla Fisher looks stunning and delivers a lovely performance. Rosamund Pike is just okay as the villain. Ideally, such a powerful person should have created bigger hurdles for the Horsemen. Dominic Sessa, Ariana Greenblatt and Justice Smith are welcome additions and do well. Morgan Freeman (Thaddeus Bradley) is damn good in an extended cameo. 

Now You See Me: Now You Don't movie music and other technical aspects: Brian Tyler's music is in sync with the film's theme. George Richmond's cinematography adds to the film's scale. Sophie Canale's costumes and David Scheunemann's production design are glamorous. VFX is top-class. Stacey Schroeder's editing is satisfactory. 

Now You See Me: Now You Don't Movie Review Conclusion: On the whole, NOW YOU SEE ME: NOW YOU DON'T has its share of entertaining moments but falls short of the impact created by the first two parts. Nevertheless, the popularity of the franchise should ensure respectable footfalls in cinemas, at least in the opening weekend.

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BARAMULLA is a rare film that mixes supernatural elements with the reality of Kashmir Movie Review: BARAMULLA is a rare, one of its kind film

Star Cast: Manav Kaul, Bhasha Sumbli

Director: Aditya Suhas Jambhale

Baramulla Movie Review Synopsis: BARAMULLA is a first of its kind supernatural film set in Kashmir. In November 2016, 13-year-old named Shoaib Ansari (Ahmad Ishaq) mysteriously disappears in Baramulla. The matter becomes serious as he's the son of the MLA (Mir Sarwar). A month later, Ridwaan Sayyed (Manav Kaul) joins as the DSP of Baramulla and he attempts to find Shoaib. He is joined by his family - wife Gulnaar (Bhasha Sumbli), son Ayaan (Rohaan Singh) and daughter Noorie (Arista Mehta). They are assigned a vintage house and their caretaker is the mute, old man, Iqbal (Khurshid Mir). Ridwaan is away the whole day while Gulnaar, Ayaan and Noorie sense a supernatural presence in their mansion. Meanwhile, one more kid disappears, this time from a lake. Ridwaan is baffled since the kids have literally vanished into thin air; there's no clue on who abducted them. Also, what is left behind is a lock of their hair. Ridwaan gets the shock of his life when he realizes that even his children might be the next targets. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

Baramulla Movie Story Review: Aditya Dhar and Aditya Suhas Jambhale's story is novel. Aditya Suhas Jambhale and Monal Thaakar's screenplay is extremely captivating. However, the writing has a few loose ends. Aditya Suhas Jambhale and Monal Thaakar's dialogues are realistic. Some one-liners raise laughs.

Aditya Suhas Jambhale's direction is exemplary. He keeps the run time in check (112 minutes) and packs in a lot. There's a lot happening in the film and has various sub plots - the kids have disappeared, there's an eerie presence in the house, a terrorist duo is planning a sinister operation and there's a past track that also wreaks havoc. The way Aditya weaves all these aspects together is commendable. He also ensures that certain horror scenes are terrifying. The idea of having a film in this space in Kashmir is also a masterstroke as no one has attempted it before. Aditya reserves the best for the last 20 minutes. The suspense comes as a bolt from the blue. The final scene is also commendable.

On the flipside, a few questions remain unanswered. Why do these mysterious developments occur so late and not before? Did the previous occupants of the house not sense that they were living in a haunted mansion? Lastly, the Noorie–Khalid Dar (Aswini Koul) track feels rushed. More time should have been devoted to establishing the deep bond they shared.

Baramulla Movie Review Performances: Manav Kaul has fewer dialogues and communicates beautifully through his silences and body language. He also brings out the vulnerability well without going overboard. Bhasha Sumbli delivers yet another bravura performance after THE KASHMIR FILES [2022]. Here's an actor who deserves to be seen more. Arista Mehta plays a difficult role with ease. Rohaan Singh and Ahmad Ishaq give praiseworthy performances. Mir Sarwar doesn't get much scope, while Khurshid Mir lends able support. Aswini Koul is aptly cast. The same goes for Shahid Lateef (Juneid Shaikh). Shahid (Saleem Khan; cop) is decent and raises laughs. Neelofar Hamid (Zainab; teacher) is fair. Sanjay Suri (Sharad Sapru) is lovely in a cameo.

Baramulla movie music and other technical aspects: Shor Police's music is forgettable. Shor Police's background score is much better and adds to the impact.

Arnold Fernandes' cinematography is breathtaking and keeps one on the edge of the seat in the interior scenes. Monica Balsara's production design and Shivangi Shrivastava's costumes are straight out of life. Vicky Arora's action is realistic. Divinity Pictures and Identical Brains' VFX is top-class. Shivkumar V Panicker's editing is slick.

Baramulla Movie Review Conclusion: On the whole, BARAMULLA is a rare, one-of-its-kind film that fuses supernatural elements with the socio-political reality of Kashmir in a deeply impactful way. Highly recommended.

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PREDATOR: BADLANDS rests on an intriguing premise, and striking visuals but is let down by uneven writing, and convenient climax. Movie Review: PREDATOR: BADLANDS boasts an intriguing premise

Star Cast: Elle Fanning, Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi

Director: Dan Trachtenberg 

Predator: Badlands Movie Review Synopsis: PREDATOR: BADLANDS is the story of an outcast. Dek (Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi) is a Yaujta who's considered weak by his father, Njhorr (Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi), who's also the leader of the clan. Njhorr asks Dek's brother Kwei (Mike Homik) to finish off Dek, as the former feels that the weak have no place in their clan. However, Kwei saves Dek and asks him to go to a 'Death Planet' named Genna. This is the home of the most dangerous and strongest adversary, Kalisk. So, if Dek manages to kill Kalisk and bring back his head, he'll be seen as a brave warrior. Njhorr is so angry with Kwei for not following his orders that he kills the latter. Dek is devastated and runs to Genna, determined to complete his mission. Genna turns out to be a dangerous and inhospitable territory and here, he gets help in the form of Thia (Elle Fanning), a damaged humanoid robot. But there's a problem - Thia's legs have been separated after she was attacked by Kalisk. She agrees to show Dek the way to Kalisk. In return, she wants Dek to help her find her limbs. What happens next forms the rest of the film. 

Predator: Badlands Movie Story Review: Dan Trachtenberg and Patrick Aison's story shows considerable promise. Patrick Aison's screenplay attempts to give viewers a novel time. He succeeds in some places, but in several scenes, the writing falters. The dialogues are alright. Be prepared to rely on subtitles, as Dek speaks the language of the Yautja. In short, at least 40% of the dialogues are not in English, and this may prove tedious for those who are not comfortable with subtitles.

Dan Trachtenberg's direction is cinematic. His idea is to ensure that the film stands out from the rest of the CGI-heavy films and the previous films of the franchise. He also infuses a lot of dark humour that keeps the interest going. The scene where a young ape-like creature, named Bud, copies Dek, is too funny. Thia’s futile attempts in uniting two parts of her body amid the fight between Dek and Kalisk also raise laughs.

On the flipside, it takes a while for the viewers to get used to the world shown in the film. There is no English dialogue until the entry of Thia. This means English isn’t spoken for at least 20 minutes and this can also be unsettling for the viewers. The ending is convenient, more so in the very final fight. The track of Weyland-Yutani is also left abruptly. Lastly, the buzz for the series in India is limited. 

Predator: Badlands | Final Hindi Trailer | In Cinemas November 7

Predator: Badlands Movie Review Performances: Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi’s face is digitally altered, but performance-wise, he’s first-rate. It's commendable that he even learned the Predator language. Elle Fanning takes the film to dizzying heights with her character and performance. She also plays the diametrically opposite Tessa and, overall, gives a performance to watch out for. Mike Homik is okay in a small role.

Predator: Badlands movie music and other technical aspects:

Predator: Badlands movie music and other technical aspects: Sarah Schachner and Benjamin Wallfisch's music adds to the exhilaration. Jeff Cutter's cinematography is spectacular. Ra Vincent's production design is grand while Ngila Dickson's costumes are novel. VFX matches global standards. The action is a bit gory but still watchable for audiences of all ages. The one in the final, involving two separate parts of Thia, stands out. Stefan Grube and David Trachtenberg's editing could have been slicker in the middle. 

Predator: Badlands Movie Review Conclusion: On the whole, PREDATOR: BADLANDS rests on an intriguing premise, striking visuals and Elle Fanning’s standout act but is let down by its uneven writing, overlong, subtitle-heavy portions and convenient climax. With limited awareness for the Predator franchise in India, minimal star power and a largely alien-language narrative, its box office prospects in the country are quite dim, making it a fare strictly for hardcore sci-fi and franchise loyalists.

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HAQ is a powerful drama with strong performances and a gripping climax Movie Review: HAQ is a powerful and hard-hitting drama

Star Cast: Yami Gautam, Emraan Hashmi

Director: Suparn S Varma

Haq Movie Review Synopsis: HAQ is the story of a woman seeking justice. The year is 1967. Shazia Bano (Yami Gautam), a resident of Sankhani, Uttar Pradesh, falls in love with eminent lawyer, Abbas Khan (Emraan Hashmi). All is going well until differences emerge between Shazia and Abbas. One day, he goes out of town for some property-related work. He promises to return in three weeks, but is back home only after three months. He's not alone. He's joined by Saira (Vartika Singh), whom he has married. Shazia is flabbergasted. Abbas claims that Saira is a widow and he married her on humanitarian grounds. Moreover, he assures Shazia that Saira can help her with her pregnancy and with taking care of the kids. Saira, however, blurts out to Shazia that Abbas loved Saira even before he met Shazia. Shazia is devastated but continues to live with Abbas. Things go wrong when Abbas refuses to spend time with Shazia on their marriage anniversary. Shazia leaves for her maternal home with the children. From here on, their relationship further deteriorates until one day, Shazia reaches the Aligarh Sessions Court. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

Haq Movie Story Review: Haq is based on the book 'Bano: Bharat Ki Beti' by Jigna Vora. Reshu Nath's story is inspired by true events and is very relevant. Reshu Nath's screenplay is gripping, though the writing drags in a few places. Reshu Nath's dialogues are one of the USPs. Several one-liners will lead to applause in cinemas.

Suparn S Varma's direction is superb. He keeps the narrative simple and doesn't complicate the proceedings with legal jargon. The lead character of Shazia Bano has been very deftly etched out. Hence, one can't help but root for her. Moreover, though many may have heard about the Shah Bano case, they might not know the nitty-gritties of it. HAQ does the needful and serves as an eye-opener.

HAQ’s first half will give the audience no reason to complain. The tension that erupts between Shazia and Saira is very well executed. The scene where Saira tells the truth to Shazia is memorable. The same goes for the scene where Shazia admonishes Abbas over his deeds. Post-interval, the courtroom scenes and the funeral sequence stand out. The final scene is a highlight.

On the flipside, there are moments in the second half where the interest dips. This is because the film becomes episodic. One doesn't get a justified feel of the hardships faced by Shazia, particularly the way she was ostracised in society. One would also wish that a little more run time was invested in showing what happened once the case reached the Supreme Court. Lastly, though relevant, the film will appeal only to the urban, multiplex audience.

HAQ | Official Trailer | Yami Gautam Dhar, Emraan Hashmi | Suparn S Varma | In Cinemas 7th Nov

Haq Movie Review Performances: After Article 370 [2024] and DHOOM DHAAM [2025], Yami Gautam delivers yet another memorable performance. In fact, this is her most accomplished act to date. The way she gets into the skin of the character is seen to be believed. Emraan Hashmi, too, puts his best foot forward. He's the negative lead, but he doesn't essay the role like a typical villain. This enhances the impact of his performance by many notches. Vartika Singh is a great find and delivers a fair performance. Danish Husain (Shazia's father), Sheeba Chadha (Bela Jain), Aseem Hattangady (Faraaz Ansari) leave a huge mark. Others also do well.

Haq movie music and other technical aspects: Vishal Mishra's music is forgettable though the title song has an exhilarating feel. 'Qubool' and 'Dil Tod Gaya Tu' and other songs won't have a shelf life. Sandeep Chowta's background score is appropriate.

Pratham Mehta's cinematography is satisfactory. Sonam Singh and Abhijit Goankar's production design and Ashley Rebello's costumes are realistic. White Apple Studios' VFX is tacky, especially in the scene depicting the exterior of the Supreme Court. The sound mixing is a bit inconsistent. Ninad Khanolkar's editing is slick.

Haq Movie Review Conclusion: On the whole, HAQ emerges as a potent and hard-hitting drama that resonates through its commanding performances, emotional moments, and a gripping, well-orchestrated climax. At the box office, it is likely to open on a modest note; however, buoyed by positive word of mouth, it holds considerable potential to build steadily and leave a lasting imprint.

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THAMMA is a well-packaged entertainer. It is bound to do well at the box office Movie Review: THAMMA is a well-packaged entertainer

Star Cast: Ayushmann Khurrana, Rashmika Mandanna, Paresh Rawal, Nawazuddin Siddiqui

Director: Aditya Sarpotdar

Thamma Movie Review Synopsis: THAMMA is a bloody love story. Alok Goyal (Ayushmann Khurrana), a TV reporter living with his parents (Paresh Rawal and Geeta Agarwal), goes trekking in the hills with friends. An unexpected bear attack leads him to Tadaka (Rashmika Mandanna), a mysterious woman who saves and heals him. Attraction blossoms, but Alok is soon captured by a strange tribe led by Yakshasan (Nawazuddin Siddiqui). Tadaka defies her clan to save him, sparking a chain of events that threaten her world and his. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

Thamma Movie Story Review: Niren Bhatt, Suresh Mathew and Arun Fulara's story is drawn from Indian folklore and is refreshing. Niren Bhatt, Suresh Mathew and Arun Fulara's screenplay flows smoothly, maintaining tension and curiosity throughout. But the writing also suffers in some places. Niren Bhatt, Suresh Mathew and Arun Fulara's dialogues are witty, sharp and the ones mouthed by Nawazuddin are too funny.

Aditya Sarpotdar's direction once again hits the bullseye after MUNJYA (2024). His command over genre-mixing, blending supernatural tension with genuine emotion and humour, is commendable. Moreover, he keeps the narrative very simple and ensures that it has mainstream appeal. A few scenes stand out like Tadaka’s entry, Tadaka having dinner with Alok’s parents, Tadaka saving Alok from the goons etc. The intermission point is dramatic while the climax is gripping. A fight that takes place in the pre-climax is visually stunning.

Oh the flipside, the character intro is too quick. The makers don’t invest time in Alok’s work life. In fact, there was no requirement to show Alok is a reporter; it served no purpose. Moreover, Alok was supposed to be a loser but this aspect doesn’t come across well. Sure, he’s goofy but he also seemed dashing. The pace dips in the second half. Lastly, though the climax fight has its moments, it is underwhelming when compared to the endings of the previous films of the universe.

Thamma Official Trailer | Ayushmann Khurrana, Rashmika Mandanna, Paresh Rawal, Nawazuddin Siddiqui | In Cinemas This Diwali – 21st Oct

Thamma Movie Review Performances: Ayushmann Khurrana is in exceptional form. His performance moves seamlessly from vulnerability to comic timing to intensity. He anchors the film brilliantly. Rashmika Mandanna proves her worth. She owns every frame with her charm, fierceness, and mystique. Paresh Rawal is dependable. His comic timing and fatherly warmth provide the perfect emotional balance. Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s act reminds of his performances in films like KICK (2014) but it works well and raised laughs. Faisal Malik (P K Yadav; cop) is impressive while Geeta Agarwal Sharma lends able support. Varun Dhawan as Bhediya is too good.

Thamma movie music and other technical aspects: Sachin-Jigar's music is peppy but again, falls short when compared to the previous films of the universe. 'Tum Mere Na Huye' appears in the end credits is stunning. 'Rahein Na Rahein Hum' is haunting while 'Dilbar Ki Aankhon Ka' and 'Poison Baby' are foot-tapping. Sachin-Jigar's background score is electrifying and enhances the tension and romantic intensity throughout.

Saurabh Goswami's cinematography is captivating. DNEG's VFX is top-notch, particularly in the creature sequences and mystical visuals. Grant Hulley and Parvez Shaikh's action is slick and energetic. Subrata Chakraborty and Amit Ray's production design and Sheetal Iqbal Sharma's costumes are appealing. Hemanti Sarkar's editing is slick but it also drags in the second half.

Thamma Movie Review Conclusion: On the whole, THAMMA is a well-packaged entertainer that reinforces why the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe continues to be a franchise worth tracking. At the box office, the winning combination of its genre appeal, brand value, and the extended Diwali weekend is bound to translate into strong collections.

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THAMMA is a well-packaged entertainer. It is bound to do well at the box office Movie Review: THAMMA is a well-packaged entertainer

Star Cast: Ayushmann Khurrana, Rashmika Mandanna, Paresh Rawal, Nawazuddin Siddiqui

Director: Aditya Sarpotdar

Thamma Movie Review Synopsis: THAMMA is a bloody love story. Alok Goyal (Ayushmann Khurrana), a TV reporter living with his parents (Paresh Rawal and Geeta Agarwal), goes trekking in the hills with friends. An unexpected bear attack leads him to Tadaka (Rashmika Mandanna), a mysterious woman who saves and heals him. Attraction blossoms, but Alok is soon captured by a strange tribe led by Yakshasan (Nawazuddin Siddiqui). Tadaka defies her clan to save him, sparking a chain of events that threaten her world and his. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

Thamma Movie Story Review: Niren Bhatt, Suresh Mathew and Arun Fulara's story is drawn from Indian folklore and is refreshing. Niren Bhatt, Suresh Mathew and Arun Fulara's screenplay flows smoothly, maintaining tension and curiosity throughout. But the writing also suffers in some places. Niren Bhatt, Suresh Mathew and Arun Fulara's dialogues are witty, sharp and the ones mouthed by Nawazuddin are too funny.

Aditya Sarpotdar's direction once again hits the bullseye after MUNJYA (2024). His command over genre-mixing, blending supernatural tension with genuine emotion and humour, is commendable. Moreover, he keeps the narrative very simple and ensures that it has mainstream appeal. A few scenes stand out like Tadaka’s entry, Tadaka having dinner with Alok’s parents, Tadaka saving Alok from the goons etc. The intermission point is dramatic while the climax is gripping. A fight that takes place in the pre-climax is visually stunning.

Oh the flipside, the character intro is too quick. The makers don’t invest time in Alok’s work life. In fact, there was no requirement to show Alok is a reporter; it served no purpose. Moreover, Alok was supposed to be a loser but this aspect doesn’t come across well. Sure, he’s goofy but he also seemed dashing. The pace dips in the second half. Lastly, though the climax fight has its moments, it is underwhelming when compared to the endings of the previous films of the universe.

Thamma Official Trailer | Ayushmann Khurrana, Rashmika Mandanna, Paresh Rawal, Nawazuddin Siddiqui | In Cinemas This Diwali – 21st Oct

Thamma Movie Review Performances: Ayushmann Khurrana is in exceptional form. His performance moves seamlessly from vulnerability to comic timing to intensity. He anchors the film brilliantly. Rashmika Mandanna proves her worth. She owns every frame with her charm, fierceness, and mystique. Paresh Rawal is dependable. His comic timing and fatherly warmth provide the perfect emotional balance. Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s act reminds of his performances in films like KICK (2014) but it works well and raised laughs. Faisal Malik (P K Yadav; cop) is impressive while Geeta Agarwal Sharma lends able support. Varun Dhawan as Bhediya is too good.

Thamma movie music and other technical aspects: Sachin-Jigar's music is peppy but again, falls short when compared to the previous films of the universe. 'Tum Mere Na Huye' appears in the end credits is stunning. 'Rahein Na Rahein Hum' is haunting while 'Dilbar Ki Aankhon Ka' and 'Poison Baby' are foot-tapping. Sachin-Jigar's background score is electrifying and enhances the tension and romantic intensity throughout.

Saurabh Goswami's cinematography is captivating. DNEG's VFX is top-notch, particularly in the creature sequences and mystical visuals. Grant Hulley and Parvez Shaikh's action is slick and energetic. Subrata Chakraborty and Amit Ray's production design and Sheetal Iqbal Sharma's costumes are appealing. Hemanti Sarkar's editing is slick but it also drags in the second half.

Thamma Movie Review Conclusion: On the whole, THAMMA is a well-packaged entertainer that reinforces why the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe continues to be a franchise worth tracking. At the box office, the winning combination of its genre appeal, brand value, and the extended Diwali weekend is bound to translate into strong collections.

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BLACK PHONE 2 succeeds in being eerie but its low buzz will affect its box office potential Movie Review: BLACK PHONE 2 succeeds in delivering eerie visuals.

Star Cast: Mason Thames, Madeleine McGraw, Ethan Hawke

Director: Scott Derrickson

Black Phone 2 Movie Review Synopsis: BLACK PHONE 2 is the story of a family grappling with past trauma. The year is 1982. It's been four years since Finney Blake (Mason Thames) killed the Grabber (Ethan Hawke). Finney has now become the polar opposite and beats people on any given opportunity. His sister Gwen (Madeleine McGraw) starts getting dreams of her mother, Hope Adler (Anna Lore). Gwen sees her at a youth camp at Lake Alpine, Colorado. A chance conversation with her father reveals that Hope indeed was at the said camp in 1957. Gwen sees dead children and her mother also happens to mention about them in her dreams. Gwen convinces Finney to go to the camp to find answers. Finney reluctantly agrees and they are joined by Ernesto (Miguel Mora), who has developed a romantic interest in Gwen. At the camp, mysterious things start happening with Gwen and Finney. Gwen's dreams become even more terrifying. Meanwhile, Finney begins to get calls from the dead payphone, reminding him of his time in the Grabber's basement when he was kidnapped. That's not all. Grabber also returns though Finney had already eliminated him. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

Black Phone 2 Movie Story Review: Scott Derrickson and C Robert Cargill's story is organic though it takes a while to realize the same. Scott Derrickson and C Robert Cargill's screenplay is very gripping. The dialogues are normal.

Scott Derrickson's direction is quite good. The setting is eerie and it adds to the fear quotient. This time, viewers get to know more about the mother, the Grabber and it is all put together very well. A few scenes are very imaginative, especially when Gwen is dreaming. The finale is justified.

On the flipside, despite the best of efforts from the makers, the goings-on become a bit confusing. A few questions are left unanswered. Moreover, the first half is slow and it takes a while to get to the point. It won't be surprising if the viewers start assuming that BLACK PHONE 2 is a forced sequel. Thankfully, things get clearer by mid-point. Lastly, the buzz in India is very limited.

Black Phone 2 Movie Review Performances: Mason Thames plays the lead part with panache. This time, his character is facing different set of traumas and he portrays it convincingly. Madeleine McGraw has the maximum screen time. She has a very challenging role and is quite good. Miguel Mora is lovely in a supporting role. The same goes for Demián Bichir (Armando). Ethan Hawke oozes fear yet again. Jeremy Davies (Terrence; Finney and Gwen's father) is okay. Arianna Rivas (Mustang) gets to play a very cool part but her character is underutilized. Graham Abbey (Kenneth) and Maev Beaty (Barbara) have meatier parts and raise laughs. Anna Lore is fair.

Black Phone 2 movie music and other technical aspects: Atticus Derrickson's music is not needlessly loud and leaves a mark. Pär M Ekberg's cinematography is splendid and he ensures the film doesn't look like a clone of THE SHINING [1980]. Amy Andrews' costumes and Patti Podesta's production design are satisfactory. Action this time is very gory. VFX is first-rate. Louise Ford's editing could have been slicker.

Black Phone 2 Movie Review Conclusion: On the whole, BLACK PHONE 2 succeeds in delivering eerie visuals, strong performances and genuine scares. However, its limited franchise recognition and low buzz may restrict its box office potential in India.

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