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Coolie tries to blend mass action with sentiment, but the outdated storyline and stretched second half make it a tiring watch. Rajinikanth's screen presence and performance stand tall and carry the film, while Shruti Haasan and Nagarjuna give solid support despite underwritten roles. Anirudh's music and background score elevate several scenes, and the cinematography adds polish, but the production design feels limited and the screenplay lacks freshness. The climax offers a few goosebump moments, yet overall, the film feels like it belongs to a past era.

Loka: Chapter 1 - Chandra is the first installment of the Wafer Cinematic Universe, directed by Dominic Arun. The film stands out as a technically strong and ambitious attempt that blends suspense, fantasy-action, and a touch of dark comedy.

Performances: Kalyani Priyadarshan delivers one of her finest roles, balancing vulnerability, composure, and action with impressive ease. Naslen is spot-on in a tailor-made role, bringing both humor and charm. Their chemistry, along with standout comic sequences featuring Salim Kumar, lifts the second half. Sandy, as the antagonist, shines once the story reveals his true shades, though his character could have been pushed further.

Strengths:

Technically brilliant: sharp cinematography, impactful background score, and well-executed action sequences.

Effective use of black comedy in key portions, which had audiences laughing out loud.

Strong character moments, particularly for the heroine, that stand apart in her career.

Weaknesses:

The pacing falters in the middle; 15-20 minutes feel stretched with repetitive beats.

Several suspense elements and twists are revealed too early, reducing tension in later acts.

Logical gaps in subplots (like the missing people angle) and underdeveloped cameos that add little to the narrative.

Verdict: Despite its flaws, Loka: Chapter 1 - Chandra is a fresh attempt with high production values and memorable performances. While it doesn't reach its full potential, it remains a decent, engaging watch-especially on the big screen.

Fantastic Four: First Steps is everything I hoped for - bold, bright, and refreshingly sincere. Set in a vividly imagined 1961 Manhattan, the film blends retro sci-fi aesthetics with heartfelt character moments, offering a unique tone that stands out in today's superhero landscape.

Pedro Pascal brings charm and quiet intensity as Reed Richards, while Vanessa Kirby's Sue Storm grounds the film with strength and heart. Joseph Quinn's Johnny Storm is fiery and fun, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach's Ben Grimm might just be the emotional core of the whole thing. The chemistry? Perfectly dysfunctional in the best way.

Director Matt Shakman leans hard into the classic comic book vibe - the rocket design alone is a nostalgic treat. The looming threat of Galactus and the elegance of the Silver Surfer give the story true cosmic scale, but it never loses its emotional center.

What really impressed me was how accessible this film is - no homework required. It's a clean slate that welcomes new fans while delighting longtime Marvel lovers (the Roger Corman cameo? Genius).

It's a strong start to Phase Six, and for once, I left a superhero movie feeling hopeful - like we really are entering something new.