Mirror Mirror

Rating : 8/10
Release Date : 30th March, 2012 (USA)
Time : 106 minutes
Director : Tarsem Singh Dhandhwar; Writer : Jason Keller, Melisa Wallack,; Music : Alan Menken
Starring : Julia Roberts, Lily Collins, Nathan Lane, Armie Hammer

There is something magical about transforming an old story, giving its characters a makeover and infusing new life to a tale possibly out of touch with the times.

The writer director team of Jason /Melisa & Tarsem do just that here. Giving Julia, the stepmom / Queen, a wicked sense of humour, Armie, the Prince, some meat to his role and giving Lily, and Snow some much needed spunk.

There are enough weaves and wefts in the otherwise familiar fabric to keep you interested. The dwarves, the townsfolk, the woods and even the Mirror getting a new avatar.

Tarsem, of course, as in all his previous films, imparts a glorious visual delight – the castle, the parties, the costumes, the Queen’s secret lair all are simply stunning and awe-inspiring ! And his Indian touch does come through in at least a couple of occasions

There are a lot of things unexplained. A lot of things which don’t entirely make sense. Wrong potions, magic getting used up, necklaces, spells, etc. At times like these, its best to remember, that this tale after all, is a fairy story and the ending song, helps do that with effortless ease….

Immortals

Rating : 6/10
Release Date : 11th November, 2011
Time : 110 minutes
Director : Tarsem Dhandwar Singh; Writers :Charley & Vlas Parlapanides, Vlas; Music : Trevor Morris
Starring : Henry Cavill, Mickey Rourke, Stephen Dorff, Freida Pinto, Luke Evans, John Hurt, Isabel Lucas, Joseph Morgan, Greg Bryk, Daniel Sharman


I’m biased because of I’m a huge fan of Greek mythology (grew up identifying with the Illiad as closely as the Mahabharat) and also of the visual delights that Tarsem has consistently offered in all his films. That said, apart from a few breathtaking sequences and the overall storyline, the movie does disappoint in its details, leaving not much to take away home.



The movie is as much about a battle between humans, with Hyperion (Mickey Rourke) & his savage army battling Theseus (Henry Cavill), the peasant and his small band of followers as it is between humans and the Gods. Both Theseus and Hyperion have reasons to hate the Gods, or not believe in them. Add to this a virgin oracle, Phaedra (Freida Pinto) and her disturbing visions, the dilemma of Zeus (Luke Evans) on whether to interfere or not, the Epirus bow, which is the only way to awaken the Titans and then defeat the Gods and we have all the ingredients for a rip roaring adventure.


While this story works at a macro level, where it fails is the details, unable to provide enough intrigue or suspense in every frame to be able to sustain interest, beyond the overall story. We also don’t relate to the characters, neither Theseus or Hyperion, engaging us enough to really care what happens to them. However, what does work, beyond doubt are the stunningly choreographed fight sequences and the equally stunning backdrops, visual imagery which is Tarsem’s forte.



I haven’t seen 300 but this seems to be on similar lines, valour, honour, rousing speeches and one finely sculpted torso decapitating another in bloody battle. At the end, all that remains as you walk out is one fight sequence after another, with all its goriness and grittiness highlighted in 3D. But surely with a backdrop as rich as Greek mythology and visuals as stunning as Tarsem’s, there should have been more in terms of the characters and storyline that stayed with you as you walked out of the hall.