This time around, Abbas-Mustan got inspiration from 'Disclosure' and made a desi version in the same mould as 'Ajnabee' - romance in the first half and a thriller in the second half. In spite of being ordinary for most of the time, the movie is watchable.

 

First half of the movie shows the relationship developing between Akshay and Kareena. Almost in a manner that says - 'Ok .... I gotta give some scenes to these two ... lemme get over with them'. In a very ordinary and sleep-inducing way. The real story starts when they introduce Priyanka Chopra, the sizzling new babe of bollywood.

 

The past unwinds, and then a story, this time done with some taste. Then the insipration derived from 'Disclosure' takes over. At a point, where you are almost sure what is going to happen next (even if you dont remember 'Disclosure'), Abbas-Mustan adds another twist in the story - very much a hindi filmi twist. But does not succeed in bringing forth any novelty.

 

Well ... if you have watched 'Disclosure' and 'Ajnabee' I dont need to tell the story. Akshay has done well in a role that does not suit him well (Ok ... personal opinion). Kareena was made a spectatre much like in 'Ajnabee' - similar role, except for a final show-off in the court. But, Priyanka sizzled ... she indeed did - oozing sex appeal with a saucy and feisty expression in the eyes. I doubt, if she really has to show skin to look sexy.

 

Well ... over all if you are looking for a time pass movie with some fun ... go watch it. Atleast, you will love Priyanka.

The advertisement says, Dhoom is the coolest movie in 2004. For me, it may be cool (rather cold), but defenitely one of the most absurd movies in history.

Well ... the negatives are many and most important is the lack of a good story .... oh sorry ... the lack of a story. I guess, the director got over-excited by those sexy foreign bikes and forgot about the story. Me too ... as a matter of fact went for the movie, primarily due to those sexy beasts.

 

The movie starts with a very unrealistic scene, trying to show off a lot of techno wizardries. By the way ... these techno wizardries are there throughout but to the true bollywood tradition, presented in a rather absurd way. Why cant these film makers first understand what they are trying to show and then present it in a little more believable way.

 

Then comes Abhishek Bachan, the legendary cop who never wears khaki. Fine ... the movie is not about realism ... its just cool.

 

In the second half the movie goes hay-wire defying all logic. I never understood why John Abraham approached Uday Chopra, when his robbery plan does not include the bikes and does not require a fast rider? I hope the director could come up with some original robbery plans, involving those Hayabusas and Co. Something which makes it believable that John was compelled to approach Uday Chopra. Anyway, he does a "Ocean's 5" act in the end and the 'all-time-mafti' cop outsmarts John - as expected - leading to a lousy climax.

 

All bashing apart, the movie does have some style. Be it the tanned, sizzling heroines, Abhishek Bhachan's ward robe or John Abraham's cocky expressions. All the heroes put up a good performance, in spite of a pathetic story line. Songs were also hummable ... I especially liked 'Dilbara'. 'Dhoom Machaye' (a faster song) could have been served better with some creative choreography.

 

Would I recommend Dhoom? If you are a bike enthusiastic and havent seen a sports bike in action even on screen ... may be. If you are a die hard fan of Abhishek or John or Uday Chopra or Esha Deol ... may be. If you cant do without minimal logic in the story ... NO!!!!

Contrary to Yuva, the first reviews of Lakshya on rediff says ... 'Lakshya doesnt disappoint' and ofcourse it doesnt !!!

Farhan Akhtar has shown his class again - in characterisation, maturity of delivering emotional scenes, usage of background music. He againg succeeded in making his movies realistic.

Okie ... lets look at the lighter side first. During the first half of the movie, Hrithik is this confused spoiled guy (who sings 'Main Aisa Kyoon Hoo?'). Farhan has made every attempt to make this character look as stupid (and cute in a wierd way) as possible, with some dialogues and a new hairstyle. In contrast, Priety is shown as a very mature sensible girl who knows what she has to do in her life - to become a journalist. Hrithik himself, in one of the scenes, doubts - 'why a girl like priety wud luv him?' And the answer given by her is not satisfactory :) Priety was made to look a less glamorous (I guess, deliberate). She has put on a little weight and looks slightly older. Hrithik shows shades of his character in 'Koi Mil Gaya'. Does it expose his limitation as an actor? Or is it deliberate too. Dunno ...

Hrithik (ok ... Karan Shergil) finally decides to join army. The decision is ofcourse whimsical inspired by a friend - who later backs off - and some Arnold Schwarzenegger fight scenes in the TV. Priety is ofcourse happy that her boyfriend has finally found out his 'Lakshya'. But it doesnt last long. First two days of trials and tribulations in the academy, Hrithik is back. And hearing this, Priety is shocked and says good bye. Ofcourse, y wud somebody luv a spineless man who dont respect his own decisions? This acts as the trigger for Hrithik to try harder and achieve his goal. At this point, I wondered, a sensible girl like Priety will surely go back to her man. And the director seals that possibilty (or rather postpones it till the end) with a little show of ego from the hero.

Well ... fast forward ... Lakshya is not a romance movie. Its actually a war movie. A convincing one at it. We are taken through it right from his training days, his initial hardships, spirit and a touch of (not more) patriotism. The movie is based on Kargil war, and Hrithik is part of a team which has to recapture a strategically located peak, 5179 (hence the ad saying 24 years and 18000 feet). And Priety is also in Kargil as a reporter. Hrithik has done better and more convincing as the army officer and Priety doesnt have much to do this time. Amitabh once again, impressed with his performance, personality and screen presence as the head of the regimen. A nice crop of little known actors (most from miniscreen) formed a good regimen too. Music is used well ... actually all the songs sounds good in the context of the movie. Emotional scenes are reasonably controlled and within limits and hence has an effect.

Ofcourse, as we all know the Indian flag flies high in the end and Hrithik and Priety reunites. But, the whole thing is picturised really well. Point blank shooting scenes, sound effects, unfriendly terrains, breathtaking shots, war strategies ... but the best was yet to come - a rock climbing scene involving our hero. This scene was simply amazing and looks so real. On par with some scenes in MI2 and Cliff Hanger. Kudos Farhan and crew !!!

Movie has some negatives too. Little bit of melodrama towards the end. Especially the cocky and stupid commander of the pak army. Ok ... we all like to think of them as foolhardy and stupid. But ... are they really so? And priety is the only journalist in Kargil and she is omnipresent. Well ... these are easily excused !!!

All in all ... I do reccomend 'Lakshya'. It is a war movie. And a convincing one at it.

Mani Ratnam always has a good team of technicians and this time it was a team comprising of A R Rehman (music), Ravi K Chandran (camera), Sabu Cyril (art) and Sreekar Prasad (editing). These guys have proven their mettle over a period of time and they do it again in 'Yuva'. So does Mani Ratnam with his amazing story telling capablilities.
Ok ... so lemme start of with a peek in to the story. The movie starts with a scene in Howra Bridge (Kolkota) involving three young guns, Micheal Mukherjee (Ajay Devgan), Lallan Singh (Abhishekk Bhachhan) and Arjun Balakrishnan (Vivek Oberoi). From there it goes back, tells the stories of each of these and their love interests. The building of these characters take up most time of the movie. Infact, the way at which Mani develops these three characters (and some other too) is the highlight of the movie.
Micheal is the modern day angry young man. He reacts to the dirt in the society, instigates his fellow students to clean the dirt off this society and ofcourse leads them from the front. With his carefree attitude and the courage he shows to flout the authorities, its no wonder that Radhika (Esha Deol) is head over heels for him. This is shown best in a scene where he asks Radhika to move in with him. Ofcourse, he is not a romantic hero, but a brilliant student and a brave citizen.
Lallan is carefree too, about the society, about what others think and almost everything else. He can do anything for money and deosnt believe in wasting his time working for his daily wages. His wife, Shashi (Rani Mukherjee) is not happy about this side of his, but still she cannot help admiring and loving the other side of this rogue. A romantic, sensitive, loving heart lying under his selfish facade. Listen to the song 'Kabhi neem neem ...' and u'll understand. She tries hard to convince him to give up crime and lead a good life and fails all the time. Abhishek and Rani does more than junstice to their roles
Arjun, too is careless about the society and extremely selfish. He is a cross-section of the typical Indian youth (which I have to say include me). Despite being highly educated and smart, he does not care about his duties towards the country and believe in 'live life king size'. Like he himself tells his father (Ananth Nag) once, he is a normal person who is too selfish and wants to lead a good life in America. The way his relationship evolves with Mira (Kareena Kapoor) is beautifully portrayed. And also, Vivek and Kareena lands with the best picturised song of the movie - 'Anjaana Anjaana'.
Technical perfection, well developed characters, good action sequences (especially, the near climactic one in a busy flyover), background and foreground music, perfromances, a message well delivered to all of us, 'Yuva' is not without drawbacks. First of them is that the movie doesnt move forward much from the starting point and the flashbacks, except for Arjun. But Arjun is slowly sent to the background towards a mere supporting act for Micheal. What could have been a better developed character in the second half is not given much importance. The last half an hour or so could have been made much better by Mani Ratnam's standards. Micheal is a born leader and he continues to lead till the end. Lallan is a born rogue and he continues being so, except for some minor hopes he gives to Shashi. She moves on to frustration as her husband refuses to mend his ways. And ofcourse, the other less developed female characters continue to love their guys.
The age of Micheal is another point of dispute. May be it was better of (as suggested by Prem Panicker in rediff) making him a fiery young lecturer.
In spite of these, Mani and his crew continues to dazzle and delivers another strong message to the Indian audience. Lemme see the Tamil version (Ayutham Ezhuthu) tomorrow and see how Surya, Madhavan, Meera Jasmin, Sidharth and Thrisha fair in comparison with the cast of 'Yuva'.