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DVD Review |
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By Joginder Tuteja, August 21, 2008 - 16:54 IST
MOVIE DETAILS
Cast: Animation
Director: Singeetam Srinivasa Rao
Producer: Vinod Suryadevara (Sun Animatics India P. Ltd.), Smita Maroo (Shemaroo Entertainment)
Music: Singeetam Srinivasa Rao
Lyrics: Sameer
THE FILM
Picture this, the first half of this animation film follows a standard route as adopted by many a mythological animation movies coming out of Bollywood in recent years. The 'natkhat' ways of a child, his escapades with all living beings, be it humans, animals or demons, his love for nature - all of this has been explored to the fullest by many a film makers in the recent past. Nothing wrong with this actually. After all, it is a genre and the same holds good even for action, comedy, romantic or family tales which are bound to have a similar look and feel.
So how could a film like Ghatotkach turn out to be any different? Well, by having visuals that are indeed unheard of and surpass the standards (although not quite high) set by its predecessors. To an extent Ghatotkach does succeed in that as well. Out of many song and dance sequences which have 3D animation to boast, the Daler Mehendi sung 'Maya Bazaar' takes the lead. The visuals makes one feel that this few minutes by themselves are worth the price of the DVD.
Floating-in-the-air stage (something which was seen in Harry Baweja's Love Story 2050), hordes of 'extras' dancing in the background, roller coasters in the middle of the festivities, zoom in/zoom out camera movements, vigorous dance steps, grand canvas, a blend of prehistoric and futuristic times - all of this comes together to literally make this number a must-watch affair!
However, sadly this is the only part about the film which really excites. Otherwise most part of the film is an exercise in futility since the narrative is plain boring while even loosing pace at number of junctures. Now that's disappointing since the worst that can happen to a kid's movie is a tale which drags and goes nowhere. The same is the case in Ghatotkach as well which has speed breakers at number of junctures with too many tangents in the tale, hence resulting in not a single stream being explored in detail. And when the Abhimanyu-Duryodhana-Krishna angle comes in, one is truly flabbergasted.
Anyway, all this may have been fine as well but then why does Ghatotkach end so abruptly. Just when one expected some drama to unfold with all the main players coming together on a common arena (it is the marriage of Duryodhana's son), Ghatothkach reveals his true identity and then, the end credits start rolling. Excuse me, but what was this all about? Should one have expected a sign of 'Milte Hain Break Ke Baad' or 'Kal Ke Episode Mein Aap Dekhenge' etc. etc. Because to be honest, it is nothing less than fooling an audience by suddenly applying brakes on a film's narrative without any warning bells whatsoever.
Of course, the makers may be having a sequel in mind but if first part is any indication, they would have to apply some smart marketing to get audience in the theaters next time around!
PACKAGING
The DVD comes in an ordinary plastic box though for kids, there are goodies in store in the form of a magic card game, stickers and book labels
DURATION
The film comes in a single DVD pack with the film's duration being 100 minutes
SPECIAL FEATURES
- The Making
- Music Launch
- The First Show
Special features segment in Ghatotkach belongs to an extent skip variety. Even though this lasts for close to 60 minutes, there isn't anything which makes one play it on in entirety. Now who would really be interested in how did the music launch fare, especially with lack of any celebrity? Yup, good to see the kids who have sung the numbers come together on the stage but how does it really impress a regular viewer? Ditto for the reactions after the first show. Now is a DVD expected to carry any comment whatsoever which 'wasn't good'?
'The Making' is another portion worth a skip because it is primarily centered on director Singeetam Srinivasa Rao who goes on an overdrive while talking about Ghatotkach and what really inspired him to make an animation film based on this subject. There are also some behind the scenes happening with choreographers creating the dance moves which would later be converted into animation. An okay watch overall and that's about it!
TECHNICAL DETAILS
- 16:9 Anamorphic Widescreen Presentation
- Subtitles in Arabic
- Dolby Digital 5.1 and Stereo
PRICE
Rs. 199/=
CONCLUSION
Ghatothkach is a very average film. And it's a pity since one expected quite a lot from a film which promises to tell an unheard of tale. Yes, director Singeetam Srinivasa Rao does narrate a tale about Ghatotkach who was a cousin brother of Abhimanyu (Arjun's son) and how he united him with his lady love. However, apart from this story angle, there isn't much which keeps a viewer interested in this 100 minute tale.
 
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