Here comes the W.A.R. (Warrior Against Racism)

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The image of him standing on a deserted highway with a sign board that reads 'Repair almost anything' is true to the soul of this one of its kind tale of a man. -Karan Johar, My Name is Khan director.

Have you ever been so enthused about a movie that when you see its trailer, you get the feeling that it's a must movie to watch?

If you haven't, then try viewing the 2010 Bollywood movie My Name is Khan. It is a heartwarming story of an ordinary man who went through an extraordinary journey for love. The film is made with sincerity and compassion; it grapples with the most urgent and fraught issue that has always faced humanity - religious differences.

The story revolves around Rizvan Khan (Shah Rukh Khan), a Muslim with Asperger's syndrome, a milder form of autism which impairs the protagonist's social communication skills and gives him some odd behavior patterns. He can't stand loud sounds abd hates the color yellow. He can't also tell a lie and can barely bring himself to hug someone. Despite his oddity, he finds love and a family with a Hindu woman, MAndira Rathos (Kajol Mukherjee) and her son Sameer (Yuvaan Makar).

Unfortunately, the wheels of fate suddenly turned, and the happy home falls apart due to racism in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. After Sameer becomes a victim of an anti-Muslim attack, Mandira throws Rizvan out, and he takes her command literally. Driven by deep love for his wife, Rizvan parts with the promise not to return until he meets the U.S. President and tells him one thing: "My name is Khan and I am not a terrorist."

The film is brimming over with scenes that will encourage you and relentlessly move you to tears, not because they are uplifting, inspiring and heart-rending. My name is Khan is somewhat comparable with the award-winning Hollywood film Forrest Gump which starred famous actor Tom Hanks. Although both movies are often compared in most reviews, My name is Khan could never surpass the smooth yet creative flow of the American film because this Bollywood movie's delicate rhythm wobbles in some scenes where it jumps from one setting to another. Despite this, the contrast of cultures is a reminder that Bollywood is indeed different form Hollywood.

Still, My Name is Khan is a total character piece. Shah Rukh Khan was stupendous as he portrayed his role as an endlessly fascinating person. He never once lost grip in his character despite the mannerisms, the awkward body language, and the distinct speech style. Kajol Mukherjee was commendable as well, as she pitches in such a restrained yet dramatic act in one of the most difficult scenes of the film which will simply blow you away. Other casts like Yuvaan Makar, Zarina Wahab (Rizvan's mother), and Jimmy Shergill (Rizvan's brother) also bolted brilliant portrayals of their seemingly unnoticeable but essential roles.

More to these, the direction of Karan Johar comes of age. He tells a complex story with sparkling simplicity, without forgetting that the cinema is primarily meant to entertain. The story, music, and cinematography are expansive, brimming over with soulful, uplifting tracks creating a dreamy San Francisco canvas where the Mumbai concept remains so real, so downtown, and so back-alley.

Overall, it's a tale of triumph of this indomitable spirit of Rizvan Khan that touches you, moves you, makes you cry and enlightens you with its delightful message that no matter whom your God is, what your religion is, and where you put your faith and trust, the path of God is of love and acceptance, not of hatred and war. No human race is superior, no religion or faith is inferior. Everyone has the right to be treated fair.

The film is a total thumbs-up for it gives you the odd enthusiastic feeling that urges you for a second viewing. Oh! Before I forget, his name is Khan, from the epiglottis (read deep, inner recesses), not 'kaan' from the any-which-way upper surface but Kha-khan -- the man who repairs almost anything.


PS. This movie review is published on the FORWARD Magazine, the official student publication of the University of San Jose - Recoletos. All rights reserved. No part of this article shall be used for any purpose without prior explicit permission from the writer or from FORWARD Publications.

A Family Like None Other

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"Once upon a time there was a beautiful tiger who lived in a cave with the rest of her family. Her father and mother told her, 'You can go anywhere you want but never go near the cliff, for you’d fall.' But when no one was looking, she’d go near the cliff. For the closer she came to the edge, the more she could hear, the more she could see, and the more she could feel. Finally, when she stood at the very edge, she saw a light. She leaned out to touch it and then flew to tomorrow."

Here comes a movie that surely encompasses the perks of being a caveman and the struggles of being one while in the quest for survival. Another adventure comedy film produced by DreamWorks Animation and distributed by 20th Century Fox, THE CROODS sets in a fictional prehistoric Pliocene era known as ‘The Croodaceous’ and tells the story of a family of cave dwellers who embarked on an adventure into the dangerous but exotic land full of fantastical creatures in search of a new home.

The spice of the plot kicked off with the destruction of the family cave they had lived in for ages. Followed with the constant disobedience of the stone Age teen protagonist, Eep, on over-protective father, Grug and his long list of rules – anything new is bad, curiosity is bad, going out from the cave at night is bad, basically, everything is bad.

Just like how Merida in BRAVE defies her mother’s wishes and Hiccup in HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON sneaks behind his father’s back, the movie is just the same old dispute – a curious teenager with his/her fascination for the new and unknown while the parents refuse to let go or grant their kids’ wishes.

However, if you would ask me why this movie is a must-see despite same old characterization then, I commend its great set of jokes that will keep you chuckling and glued to your seat plus its touching story of a loving father who will do anything for the safety and survival of his family. He would sacrifice breakfast … or his life.

For years, Grug had kept the family safe. He is the man of brute force – he had the strength and courage to lead his loved ones to survival but when he loses the cave and is forced to push through unfamiliar territory, he is a little lost. His rules do not work anymore. His skills seem worthless.

But with the help of the new guy, Guy, the Croods conquered their fear of the outside world and discovered that they have exactly what it takes to survive – each other. He is the man of ideas – he has a fertile and creative brain, knows how to deal with fire, and can handle on how to get around fearsome creatures.

While Grug resists change, Guy embraces it. Naturally, the two do not always get along but Grug comes to trust Guy's ideas and Guy submits to Grug's leadership. It is a great example of how people of different stripes can complement one another.

Beyond just Grug and Guy, the rest of the Croods are all made up of unique, sometimes prickly individuals who, when it really matters, show how much they love and care for one another.

Zany, zippy, meaningful and sweet, there is never a single dull moment in The Croods.  Furthermore, the voices have also been well chosen and you are likely to enjoy the entertaining squabbles between Nicolas Cage as Grug, Emma Stone as Eep, and Ryan Reynolds as Guy.

Also features the voices of Catherine Keener as Ugga, the kind and understanding mother, Clark Duke as Thunk, the dim-witted chubby son, Randy Thom as Sandy, the hyper and hungry baby and Cloris Leachman as Gran, the quirky mother-in-law.

The Croods received generally positive reviews, and proved to be a box office success, earning more than $582 million on a budget of $135 million and launching a new franchise, with a sequel and TV series already put in development.

As for its ratings, well Rotten Tomatoes gave a rate of 6.5 over 10 and IMDB gave a 7.4 over 10! Decent scores, eh? Overall, the movie is a two thumbs up! Indeed, there is no place like home. Even if it's a cave.

P.S. The movie made me cry. Awwe. <3