Bannou kanteishi Q: Mona Riza no hitomi

Seems that some people in Japan have a fascination for the Mona lisa; I have been watching more than one movie and series about it. This movie is not good but OK for people accustomed to watch TV movies, so it have all these over amplified sounds, camera moves, color grading, expected characters and situations and of course, "fast and light" script in the same vein that a new Hollywood movie can have. It s a pass time movie, no cinema here. It s very silly that in all these movies, the important facts or the conclusions are resolved in seconds, with "magnificent just-add-water" theories by an extremely capable and wise main character/s. However, a great % of new movies are like that; even worst due to over saturation of special effects made by computer; so, if you like all of that, this one is for you.

I got a chance to watch it on Blu Ray. Found the plot interesting...and for some extent was happy with what the movie had to offer after watching it..The movie is about an Undereducated female appraiser or expert in antique jewellery and artifacts who barely manages to pass her high school and a struggling news paper journalist trying to earn respect of his editor and place for himself and how their teamwork brings down a big con involving the MONA LISA.

The movie has its own good and bad points..i am no art expert and i don't know the difference between facts and fiction. But the first half of the movie is very impressive and it builds up lots of hype and suspense and i was hoping it to be like The Prestige kind of suspense but the story after visiting The Louver part goes into some less thrilling kind of dimension. May be the Director wanted the movie to be like suspense thriller but was not able to find good twists or convincing storyline..Although still it is a one time watch and some people may find some interesting facts about the Mona Lisa..as the journey is important then destination...i enjoyed the movie..but the climax of movie is not as great it should have been...the script was not able to create enough boost to storyline..and it was a letdown on such a promising story..but hey it is still good enough and although it is a no brainer and everyone knows who the culprit is but it is thrill of the chase that saves the movie in the end..

Performance wise actors and cast are not very famous names but still delivers their parts convincingly although some scenes of movies are humanly not possible like learning French in a night or two..so better show it in a manner people can be convinced..because if its possible then i can also learn Chinese in a week's time i guess..(Pun Intended)! The score of the movie is also good..some special effects are also good. And the movie production is top notch..like any big budget Hollywood movie.

Go and watch the movie you will not find it terrible it is just that you will know that it just lacked little bit in becoming a satisfying experience..And if it would have gone the distance probably it had all the potential of producing a sequel...overall it is 6/10.