Chhota Bheem: Kung Fu Dhamaka review – The cartoon film will take kids on a fun-filled ride

Chhota Bheem, over the years, has become a favourite Indian animated cartoon character amongst kids, and no matter how lame adults find the concept, Bheem has his fan-base in the age-group he is expected to have. Chhota Bheem: Kung Fu Dhamaka takes the show many notches higher and manages to transform the 2D animated Bheem’s world to a larger, fiery, and more colourful 3D canvas. The film still cannot compete with the levels of animation marvels, but has a good message behind it. Warning: It is dark in some portions, for kids.

What it’s about: As the title suggests, Chhota Bheem, from the backdrop of Dholakpur where he belongs to, is transferred to China. The film begins with Bheem and his group in China to visit a friend. While the rich culture of Kung Fu from China is on exhibition, we are introduced to an evil man Zuhu, who kidnaps the princess of China — Kiya, who is blessed by the dragon god. No points for guessing, Bheem takes up the challenge of saving the damsel in distress, and a few newly introduced characters join the bandwagon along with the old ones, including Raju, Chutki, Kalia, Jaggu, Dholu and Molu.
How Bheem turns into a Kung Fu legend, how the team trains, how the magic of Zuhu is broken, and Bheem’s victory is what the film is all about. Adding magic to the world of Bheem and giving him a superpower, makes the film an easy breezy nearly-two-hour watch.

Yay: This is not a film that can be post-mortemed to connect dots and logic. It is a cartoon film and the audience is not the ones reading this review right now, but your kids. The message behind the film is clean and inspiring. ‘The power is within you and in nothing else. Your determination is the strength’ is a message that is nicely told.
Talking about technical aspects, yes, the world created is amazing, for we haven’t seen Bheem in different surroundings. The breakdown is done in the simplest way which will be good for kids to absorb. Adding the magic was a great idea.

Nay: Directed by Rajiv Chilaka and Binayak Das, the writing doesn’t move ahead from the episodes we have seen on Pogo. It seems to be stuck. The game needs to be upped here.
The most important aspect is the darkness. We need to understand what level of ‘bad world’ can be created for an age-group that is still not introduced to it in life. A few portions get too dark and destructive for kids. Thus, this film too gets into the same zone that the last animated film Dumbo went into.
Also, how did Bheem reach China? How does he have friend in China? Considering there are no phones nor technology in Dholakpur. We know many kids won’t have these questions, but some smart ones might just ask about the back-story.

CineBlitz Verdict: As we said, the film is not for the ones reading the review, but for your kids. Take them to the theatres, let them enjoy their loved hero on the big screen. Maybe the kids will get the message and get inspired. But then, be ready to gift them the Chhota Bheem toys and merchandise flooding the market too!

Rating: 2.5 stars