A kid had to face the world in his own animated version and conquer life's biggest monster. ANI (The Harvest) It's as if a child's imagination is a safe haven, a place where the world is a playground for all the possibilities the mind could think of. And even the tight and humble space called home, situated on a busy Metro could not hinder the inquisitive headspace of a young Mithi (played by Zyren Dela Cruz), a boy who accomplishes the day by playing with his colorful toy robots that perform a vital role in his imaginary narrative. With a loving father and a mother that sings him a self-assuring lullaby, Mithi is blissfully unaware of the harsh reality. But life decided to toy with his fate, and Mithi's perfect little world is now showing its cracks, putting his vulnerability to the test and slowly depriving him of his happiness he thought would last forever. And through his eyes, the world suddenly transforms itself into a menacing monster. Set in a lush ...
Based on a graphic novel of the same name by Victor Santos, Polar follows a fearsome Duncan Vizla, formerly known as Kaiser Black, a hitman hired under a company called Damocles. Just like in the webtoon, Vizla was setting up for his retirement, when his confidant, Vivian (Katheryn Winnick), contacted him to report a series of murders, seemingly targeting past hitmen who were about to receive their retirement paycheck.
Distancing himself from the clutter, Vizla refused the offer but was later convinced to do the deed. Later, he was given the information about the supposed culprit but was surprised to find out that he was being targeted instead. Amidst the looming threat, he decided to go after his executioners instead and despite his age, some things just doesn't rust that fast.
Just Rolling With It
Let me get this straight, Polar is no John Wick. The movie does give you a wink and bits and pieces of obvious homage to past genre of the same blood, but really, director Jonas Åkerlund gives you a mosaic of action bloody tropes and wants you to not take his film seriously.
From the opening sequence itself, you already get a taste of the Åkerlund appetizer — a highly-stylized hullabaloo with full fluff teenage horniness. Early on, you get a sense of watching a Lady Gaga music video and true enough, Åkerlund's portfolio includes a number of the mother monster's music videography such as Telephone, Paparazzi and so much more.
Half of the way, the movie starts to actually get to the point and we see Mads Mikkelsen as Kaiser Black, as brooding and dashing as ever, strolling the streets, fetching his groceries, getting himself used to the mundane routine of an everyday person. He even tried to pet a pug but ended up killing it in the process because despite his attempts, his murder instinct doesn't change with age.
If anything, this movie knows how to pull off an entertaining killing spree. From the gruesome kills to the angsty teenager rhetorics, Åkerlund wants you to fear his villains. On the side, we are also introduced to Camille (Vanessa Hudgens), whose depressed and weak demeanor instantly tells you that she is probably going to be an emotional blackhole aka a massive liability to the plot.
The story was not some cut-throat Shakespearean poetry and clearly it wasn't trying to be. Instead, the narrative just paves the way for a gut-wrenching whiplash to highlight Mads Mikkelsen's badassery, regardless of how messy it was and it works. The other characters were just confetti — a group of dispensble people; easily replaceable.
Let's Be Reel
With all futile things considered, this movie is enjoyable. It's like a bag of popcorn that had too much salt in it — not healthy to consume but hey, be my guest.
Polar is not for everyone, but once you shut off your inner critic, you'll start to make sense of it.
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