So this Eid Pakistani theaters were in a packed up frenzy. We had three really big, different and popular movies, all with a star cast, but with nothing in common between them, from sets, style, music and story-lines. I loved that.
The one I went to see first was ‘Parwaaz Hai Junoon‘, which follows the daily life and drama of a group of fighter pilots. The movie does well to balance how they have a responsibility towards protecting their country and always being ready to make sacrifices for it – but it also showed them living their normal happy lives, which is also full of surprises, twists and turns.
I won’t get into details of the story because it’s best you watch it yourself , to understand the different events going, and be in touch with the characters. And they were really likable for the most, very natural and relatable.
So straight away I loved the flying scenes. They just looked really good, like I wanted to be in there myself. I would say that the visuals for the flying was not on the same level of immersive perfection like Ghibli films, but they were definitely better than what we saw in Top Gun. And staying on the topic of visuals I was really happy with all those scenes in Islamabad, it was very music video cute, and ‘cool winter walks with a side of coffee’ interactive. There wasn’t much to remember about the fashion in the film, because the atmosphere, fun, sets and lights really stole the show.
I think it’s safe to say that there were about two main characters, who were also the romantic lead, and the rest of the cast were on the side. I say that because the loose plot follows Hamza Ali Abbasi and Hania Amirs characters lives, but the whole cast plays an integral part on-screen, and I wanted them to be there. The humor and interaction between everyone is great to watch, and they came well together because different kinds of personalities and backgrounds. I almost like the others more than the main leads, because they felt natural, cute and were funny.
Just to list them out Hamza, Asif Raza Mir, Ahad and Shafaat Ali were the most dynamic and energetic when it came to acting and getting on your nerves, but in different ways. Hamza was really likeable as the leading character, for being an overall great person, who stands up for what he believes in. Ahad gets on your nerves for being an example of toxic masculinity. I went in thinking I would like his character but no, I was annoyed and angry – so the boy can act. I’m probably going to say this again, but Shafaat Ali is a national treasure and he should have his own show.
The music was not bad, but after I finished being moved and teary-eyed by the whole experience, I wasn’t going online or to the store to get the music, or even revisit it. Which is fine, because the soundtrack isn’t bad, but it just didn’t hit me. I also had a problem with the dialogues they just came of as a little cheezy and silly at times, and the dubbing could be better. Please fix the dubbing.
A lot of reviews and people were saying that the story was a bit predictable and there was nothing new about it, and you know what it doesn’t have to do. We are entitled to cinema that is unique and out of the box, and as paradoxical as it sounds, this was a different mix of a film. It didn’t exactly look or feel like any other film, because of how it comes together and how warm it is to watch. Kind of like on of those slice of life that have a bit of everything, that really hits you in the feelings with a bitter-sweet taste.
Parwaaz Hai Junoon also has a re-watchable quality to it, so this is good for the whole family, a group of friends and pretty much anything. I think it would be good for television just so more people can watch at home.
Maheen's Muse 