Hadn't watched the first installment of this animation flick so was going into this one without any preconceptions or expectations.
Bal Ganesh 2
U; animation
Dir: Pankaj Sharma
'u00bd
What's it about: Hadn't watched the first installment of this animation flick so was going into this one without any preconceptions or expectations. But fikar not, this film takes a good 10 minutes or so to give you a recap of what you missed in the first part.
The sequel is told by several mice telling each other stories about their beloved Bappa Morya. A city mouse arrives in a sports car and chats up his country cousins about the first film, how it was lapped up and how they ought to make another. By the end of it all, the sutradhars even do a jig.
u00a0
What's hot: Pankaj Sharma's storytelling techniques will only get better in time. In the meantime, he should focus on getting better artists. The animation work in the film is largely competent by domestic standards. Couldn't this have gone straight to DVD, though? It's a short flick with really no real theatrical potential.
u00a0
What's not: The stories itself are tales you've grown up listening to. Okay, to be fair, you may have missed a few, but here's the thing: a film that's barely an hour-and-a-half could've done with an actual story rather than episodic events from the life of the young Ganesh. And what's with the choohe ka tapori lingo? Doesn't quite go with the sports car, suit and glares, no? And the adorable elephant god being a bully with a billi just for the purpose of being taught a lesson seems a bit forced and preachy.
What to do: While the effort shows in this one, it's still got a long way to go. Watch this one, if only to avoid Love Ka Tadka.
