The Incredibles 2 (2018) review

The Parrs’ are back and more incredible than ever.

Contains spoilers

Source: https://www.pixar.com/feature-films/incredibles-2/#i2-character-design

The animated superhero film that put the world on the edge of their seat finally returned after the 14-year wait. The sequel kicks off right where it started – the Underminer trying to rob a bank and the Parrs’ along with Frozone failing to catch him. Surprisingly, after the Underminer slips through their fingers, we do not see him again in the film. However, it is evident that the Underminer is just a small bump in the road towards something much more, dare I say… incredible.

Violet Parr trying to keep her cool after Tony discovers her identity. Source: pixar.com (see above)

The lights and cameras shift to Helen, or as she is more commonly known to the world, Elastigirl. Helen, Bob and Lucius are approached by Winston Deavor and his sister, Evelyn Deavor. They own a telecommunications company, DEVTECH, with Winston fronting this organization and Evelyn developing the technology. The siblings explain the sad demise of their father and then Winston goes on to optimistically explain how he wants to bring back what his father had once believed in: the legalisation of Supers. However, this can only be done with Elastigirl at the helm of it all since, according to Evelyn, she is the least destructive out of the trio.

Then we drive into a world where Elastigirl takes centre stage and kicks-ass all while saving the city and fighting off a villain bigger than her. It seems we see a new side to Helen as she goes back to being a superhero while Bob takes care of the kids. It is refreshing to see a change in the parenting dynamics that may not have transitioned so well had Brad Bird not come back to write and direct the sequel. We see a closeness between Bob and his children – Violet, Dash and Jack-Jack and an air of independence for Helen.

Elastigirl on the way to save the day. Source: pixar.com

It is truly brilliant to see Holly Hunter take Helen and bring her to the forefront. Hunter provides so much more tenacity to the character this time around and does it so effortlessly. Helen is a beacon for all the Supers in the film, to show the world that they need them. She is also doing this not only for herself, but for her family in order to secure a better future for them.

Speaking of said children, we see Violet struggling with being a teenager, Dash struggling with math homework and Jack-Jack developing an array of powers ranging from laser beam eyes to disappearing into the fourth dimension. A sleep deprived Bob who cannot seem to keep everything under control at home then goes to “Aunty” Edna for help with Jack-Jack.

Dash proving that homework is the bane of everyone’s existence. Source: https://www.pixar.com/feature-films/incredibles-2/#i2-character-design

Jack-Jack and Bob. Source: https://www.pixar.com/feature-films/incredibles-2/#i2-character-design

The minute that Brad Bird’s distinctive accent of Edna Mode comes on screen, you can hear a grin from the audiences. Would it really be The Incredibles without the renowned superhero costume designer who took the world by storm back in 2004? The brilliance of Edna Mode’s mind and style is showcased in this film yet again and she is riveting when on screen. Her bluntness is admirable even if she is only on screen for a few minutes.

Bird brings in a lot more humour, heart and characters to this sequel that will leave fans wanting more. It is one of those rare movies that lives up to its predecessor. The Incredibles 2 is definitely a movie worth watching. It is one that will continue to steal the hearts of its viewers for years to come – in an Edna Mode fashion.

Written by: Shaleen Surendra

Crazy Rich Asians (2018) Actors Review

Crazy. Rich. Asians.

Viewers can expect to get all of this and more in director Jon M. Chu’s latest romantic comedy Crazy Rich Asians.

Kevin Kwan’s book turned movie showcases the struggles of growing up in an Asian family: duty to the family or going with one’s heart. The film highlights the different cultures that its characters have which distinguish them from each other despite their common ground of being Asian.

The story revolves around Asian American, Rachel who goes to Singapore with her boyfriend, Nick, for his best friend’s wedding. Unbeknownst to her, Nick’s family is the crème de la crème of the rich elite in Singapore. Throughout the film, you see how Rachel learns to fit into the world that Nick comes from and tries not to get eaten alive by the sharks of Singapore.

It is uplifting to watch Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Michelle Yeoh and Gemma Chan bring Rachel Chu, Nick Young, Eleanor Sung-Young and Astrid Leong-Teo, respectively, to life. Wu created a sense of a vulnerability and boldness that made her the perfect choice for Rachel.

Crazy Rich Asians 1 — Eleanor meeting Rachel for the first time, accompanied by Nick. Source: http://www.crazyrichasiansmovie.com/gallery

Golding’s acting debut was a pleasant surprise as he played Nick like he was born to. He made cheesy lines work and provided naivety to a character that was put on a pedestal by everyone around him. Golding really embodied the character as there wasn’t an air of arrogance around him at all which made Nick more humbling and likeable.

There are also other stories that intertwine with the overall plot. One involving Eleanor, Nick’s mother. Michelle Yeoh’s performance is definitely a showstopper as she brings an authoritarian presence to the screen by showcasing how she is willing to do anything to uphold the stature of her family. At the same time, Yeoh also moves with such grace on screen that you can’t help but hold your breath in trepidation waiting for what she has to say or do next.

CRAZY RICH ASIANS 4 — Rachel and Astrid on a beach during Araminta’s bachelorette party. Source: http://www.crazyrichasiansmovie.com/trailer

Astrid, Nick’s cousin, is another central character in the film. The former Oxford graduate covertly makes her mark in the world with one couture piece at a time. She is an intelligent, ethereal goddess with a heart and wallet of gold. Gemma Chan does a brilliant job of making Astrid warm and human among the ruthless and cold bourgeoisie. Chan really brings a regal presence to the screen while still maintaining heart through it all.

Awkwafina’s portrayal of Goh Peik Lim stole every scene that she was in with her unapologetic attitude and loyalty. Peik Lin is Rachel’s friend from college and like Nick, comes from a “comfortable” family in Singapore. Her comedic timing and one-liners are also something to look out for in the film.

CRAZY RICH ASIANS 2 — Peik Lin greeting Rachel when she comes to visit her in Singapore. Source: http://www.crazyrichasiansmovie.com/gallery

Crazy Rich Asians is a film that will fill you with joy, laughter and pride. The latter is due to being able to see yourself and/or your culture represented on screen through these characters. This film showcases part of the Asian community with characters from different parts of the world. The actors each bring a unique touch to their characters which is an absolute pleasure to watch.

The actors leave you wanting more and quite frankly – that’s the best kind of movie.

CRAZY RICH ASIANS 3 — Crazy Rich Asians. Source: http://www.crazyrichasiansmovie.com/gallery

Written by: Shaleen Surendra

“Lipstick Under My Burkha” (2016) review

It takes balls to be a woman.

LIPSTICK. In some cultures, women are shunned for wearing it, in others women are celebrated and sometimes they use it as war paint.

Lipstick Under My Burkha poster — Poster for Lipstick Under My Burkha (2016).

This movie, although in Hindi, tells a compelling story of four women who try to overcome the adversities and boundaries that society sets for them with help from each other and their lipstick.

Set in Bhopal, Shireen, Usha, Rehana and Leela played by Konkona Sen Sharma, Ratna Pathak, Plabita Borthakur and Aahana Kumra respectively, each tell a story highlighting the struggles that they face in their village which will resonate with women from all over the world.

Released in 2016, this film focuses on two Indian-Muslim women and two Hindu women of different ages and with vastly different experiences, navigating through their suffocating lives.

Throughout the movie, they try to live vicariously through Rosy, the lead in the erotic pulp fiction novel Lipstick Dreams which is narrated throughout the movie. Rosy is portrayed as a sexually liberated woman who does not answer to the many names given to her by society and is unapologetic in her pursuit for happiness.

Covertly painting the town in red, the four leading women are the very definition of what it means to want freedom under oppression.

Shireen is a mother of three who wants to be more than just a housewife. Restrictions by her overbearing and controlling husband do not stop her from secretly working as a door-to-door sales woman and a good one at that.

Usha, the narrator of Lipstick Dreams, is a middle-aged widow who has been deemed as the “Buaji” (Aunty) of the community in Bhopal for so long that she forgets that she has a name and identity of her own. The community members see her as a piety figure who abstains from all things risqué and reckless and feels as if she must uphold this idea that they have of her.

A still from the movie showing Usha shying away from wanting to wear a bikini due to the pressures from her community. Source: BollywoodMDB.com

Rehana, a college student, is forced to work at her parents’ shop sewing burkhas but wants the freedom to express herself through her clothing, music and dance.

Leela is a beautician whose one goal is to make it out of Bhopal with her photographer boyfriend and travel the world. She is unfortunately chained to the responsibilities of improving her social standing by her mother.

HD Lipstick Under My Burkha Movie Image - 12 — A still from the film showing Rehana enjoying herself, moments before her parents ruin her fun. Source: BollywoodMDB.com

As these women try and find the balance between need and want, things become complicated for all of them.

Director Alankrita Shrivastava provides excellent insight of what it means to be a woman, living in a time where everyone else is moving forward and they are being held back.

It shows the similar struggles that all these women face under one roof despite their differences and these hardships are often caused by the people who are closest to them.

These strong and flawed women are brought together as the film highlights the glass ceilings built by society and showcases how they can be so much more than what others perceive them to be.

Lipstick Under My Burkha makes a bold statement that hopefully will leave a lasting impression for generations to come.

: The four women who dominated the screen (from left to right): Shireen, Usha, Rehana and Leela. Source: BollywoodMDB.com

Written by: Shaleen Surendra