Films with some fireworks

PERHAPS IT has something to do with the spirit of Dussera. The triumph of good over evil and the images of battle that accompany it - that kind of thing. Are they interlinked? One would think so. Why else a spate of high action movies in the city?

Latest on the list: The big screen exploded with the activities of genetic mutants X Men. A Bryan Singer movie, this is not merely an action flick, though it had some really nail-biting action shots right on top of the Statue of Liberty.

The sci-fi film is all about a strain of human beings (superior?) born with genetic mutations, manifested in extraordinary powers. For instance, one of the characters, Cyclops, can release an energy beam that can rip holes through mountains, while his co- mutant Storm can control the weather. Cyclops' roommate Jean Grey is telekinetic and telepathic, though a few notches lower than their mentor, Xavier (Patrick Stewart).

While Logan/Wolverine has a secret past that enables extremely rapid healing, Rogue (Anna Paquin) with her capacity to absorb the life force of anybody she touches, turns the catalyst in a psychomachic war. This group pits their all against another mutant, Magneto, who is in the `rival' camp.

If these qualities are near, can action be far behind? Though the cast, with a few exceptions, largely comprises `lesser knowns', it is the theme and the action that carries the movie through. Gets the audience to move to the edge of the seat, both in anticipation and fear.

Like M:I-2, did a little while back, with Asian movie ingredients. In fact, the leader of the pack is the John Woo's tornado, Mission: Impossible-2. Though meant to make a demi-god out of Tom Cruise, the star of this action-thriller is director John Woo himself.

He follows what the Mission commander Swanbeck (Antony Hopkins) tells the hero, Ethan (Tom Cruise): ``It is not a mission difficult, it is a mission impossible. Difficult should be a walk in the park''. The excitement among the audience is palpable even outside the theatres. The motor bikes are not just whirring, they are darting a la Tom Cruise.City audiences watched Roman bloodsport with horror, as Russel Crowe battled in Gladiator.

Mel Gibson starrer The Patriot also brought some war scenes alive, though in an unusually long movie with incredible twists of plot. Directed by Roland Emmerich, Patriot has some `real action' shots in a story that feeds on American jingoism.

Asian action kings, Jackie Chan and Jet Li too had their share of the limelight in the city as they turned out expected/unexpected calisthenics in Shanghai Noon and Romeo Must Die.

Another `edge of the seat' movie, U 571 was about `ordinary people doing extraordinary things in extraordinary times'. The Bon Jovi starrer, with its twists and turns, left the audience confused, but also with depleted finger nails.All this and more. More was AXN's `Action Blast' last week. They had a dose of good old action movies on show at Ega Theatre for lovers of the genre. The war between the good and the evil is on, and here, in Chennai.

By Ramya Kannan

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