Changeling (2008)

This movie is based on real life incidents that happened in 1928 in Los Angeles. Single mom Christine Collins doesn't find her son Walter Collins one fine day after she returns home from office. She lodges a complaint with the LAPD and after few months they deliver another boy to her saying that he is Walter. Christine is baffled and tries convincing the police that this is not her son. She proves it through Walter's dentist and teacher but, the LAPD doesn't accept it. They brand her as a psychopath and send her to the asylum. She is ill-treated.

On the other hand, there is a police investigation led by Detective Ybarra that boils into a major serial killer mystery about missing children.

The 2 tracks coincide and Walter is also believed to have been massacred by the killer Gordon Northcott and his accomplice, a small boy Sanford Clark.

Christine doesn't give up hope and she fights the LAPD in court against the atrocities committed on similar such women in the asylum, with the help of Reverend Gustav and a high profile lawyer. The police force is shaken up and high profile officers are suspended from the force as a result. The killer is also sentenced to death. Christine continues to hope to find her boy while slowly moving on in her personal life.

Hits

• Once in a lifetime performance by Angelina Jolie as the relentless yet emotionally fragile mother who looks for her son. Classic looks combined with great acting credentials. 
• Clint Eastwood, the master has directed the movie and composed the music. He excels in both the departments. Comment on the master's skills is beyond me. He is a legend, plain and simple. 
• Lot of good character roles for the Reverend, the police force in the LAPD, the lawyer, other women in the asylum, the small boys, the serial killer, his young accomplice etc. Great casting and well enacted. 

VERDICT

Another classic from the master, Clint Eastwood. The power of hope, resilience and the human spirit are emphasized. 

Kung Fu Panda 2 - 3d (2011)

What's it about:
'Dragon Warrior' Po and his 'Furious Five' team have to save China from the shackles of Shen, the peacock. Shen has a huge machine that spits out metal balls and there are a pack of wolves who are always around Shen to protect.
   Po also comes to know that he is an adopted son to his goose father. Po is advised by his master Shifu to find his inner peace but Po is haunted by images of his past when his parents had to abandon him in a radish basket due to Shen's evil machinations.
   Shen underestimates Po's prowess and ignores the astrologer's warnings. Po finally finds his inner peace and eliminates Shen and all the metal fireballs. He finally reunites with his father who is very enthusiastic to use his son's fame to promote his tofu and noodles, in the form of "Po saves China" posters.

                                                                         

Hits

• Everything that is expected out of a DreamWorks animation film is there. Top class animation, modelling, rendering and the characters are so expressive.
• The stunt choreography is just too awesome. Such creativity and pace in the fights. Reminds us of the legendary Jackie Chan's action feasts. A mixture of comedy and fights.  
• The 3d effects are as expected. Not extra-ordinary but. 
• Witty dialogs for Po, that are philosophical as well. Leave the past baggage and focus on the present is the message. 
• Great BG score by Hans Zimmer and John Powell. The percussion drums stand out amidst the other general goose bumps inducing instruments. 
• The idea to use a peacock as the villain is very novel indeed

Misses

• The villain, Shen could have been characterized more powerfully. In the end it is all too easy for Po. Given the initial buildup, a greater resistance from Shen was expected

VERDICT

Kung Fu Panda 2 re-emphasizes the escapist quality of cinema. Just forget all earthly worries and plunge into this fantasy world for a short and sweet adventure ride along with Po and his team. 

Salt (2010)

Whats it about
CIA agent Evelyn Salt is actually a Russian implant whose job is to spy on the US. She is Agent Chenkov who has been trained from a young age by Agent Orlov to become a spy. There are many more sleeper agents like her in the US CIA and their only goal is to cause destruction to the US.
       As part of her job, Salt is required to kill the Russian President and thereby putting the blame naturally on the US. She is also instructed to kill the US President and later take control of the US' nuclear operations by initiating attacks on Muslim countries thereby instigating further wrath against the US.
      But Salt eliminates the Russian spies one by one including her CIA colleague Winter and big boss Agent Orlov. She also stops the large scale nuclear attacks that were about to be launched by Winter. In the end, she proves her loyalty to the US and is let go by officer Peabody as she convinces him that there are many more Russian spies and that she needs to go get them.

                                                                          
Hits

• Angelina Jolie in 3 different getups is absolutely apt for this action packed role. She is super agile in stunts and is as beautiful as ever. Her lips are a thing of real seducing beauty. 
• The chases and the action blocks are all frenetic with apt support from some pulsating BGM. 
• Fast moving screenplay

Misses

• It is all too easy for Salt. A one woman army so to speak
• The actor who appears as the US President is literally a joker. Blank to the core. 

VERDICT

An attempt to make a Bourne like film. But it is half baked. Angelina Jolie is the only reason to watch this film. Strictly for one time viewing.