Movie Review: Ikkis

 

Michael's Movie Grade: B

A very moving war film from India.

Many Bollywood war films too often suffer from overly simplistic jingoism.  Luckily that is not the case here. This film takes no real sides but instead focuses on the effect that war has upon two countries and those fighting. This film's message is one that is not exactly simplistic. In many ways it is an anti-war film but at the same time it honors the bravery of those who fought. This is frankly the best way to make a war movie because to give a true honest look at war requires something more complex than simple black and white or good and evil. This film also does a great job of exploring the main character and what turns him from a naive boy to a war hero in short time. It also examines what it truly means to be brave through this character. Even the romance, while quite cliché is pretty touching at times. The scenes with his elderly father many years later are also quite touching. This is another very well-developed character. These scenes are also where the film gives its most intelligent commentary about the aftermath of war. 

This movie does however have its problems with clumsy filmmaking at times. The film cuts back and forth between the story of the young war hero and his dad decades later trying to understand the death of his son. Unfortunately, the transitions between these two stories and separate time periods are abrupt and distracting. Sometimes it seems like it cuts from one time period to another at random times. It seems like both characters' stories are intruding on each other throughout. The pacing is also off in this film. Some scenes go on much too long (especially the climactic battle sequence), while others are too rushed (after the romance having been the focus of the film from a while, it is soon sidelined and later given a very rushed conclusion). 

This is a smart and intelligent movie; however, it could have benefited from stronger direction and especially stronger editing.