The much awaited movie directed by S.Shankar, who gave us hit movies since the early 90s [Gentlemen, Kadhalan, Indian, Muthalvan, Nayak, Boys and Anniyan]. With a mammoth star cast like Superstar Rajni Kanth, Vivek and telugu heroine, Shriya Saran, you would expect the producers [AVM Saravanan, M.S Guhan] to give the audience a winner or rather another "Chandramukhi" [Currently celebrating it's 804 day and whatnot.]
Unfortunately, Sivaji is purely for the masala goers. There's no story or plot that's "Shankar" that is rather told in an interesting way like his last Blockbuster, "Anniyan". When you rope in a star who's identity is known to his fans by his mannerisims, you then conclude that the story itself took a backseat and instead, Shankar whipped up something from the archives which in the end, ended up becoming a Varalaaru, or rather a poorly-told masala. Heck, even Chandramukhi [which I disliked] was probably a latter better of Rajni film than this one.
The story: Sivaji is an NRI, who returns from the states to open up a hospital and whatnot. With a comic sidekick, [Vivek], they encounter financers, including the villian [Telugu star, Suman]. Along the way, he falls form tamizhselvi [Shriya] who intially doesn't fall for the hero but later marries him despite the astrologic predictions of his death. The rest of the film deals with him acquiring black money and turning it into white money and the usual "bad guys finish last" formula.
Let's talk about what worked and what didn't work. The story dervives from several films, A.R Murgadoss's STALIN, K.V Anand's KANA KANDEIN, Shankar's own GENTLEMAN, INDIAN, MUTHALVAN, Shahrukh's ONE 2 KA FOUR, and K.S Ravikumar's PADIYAPPA. You would think that after delays of releasing the film and keeping the film's premise under secrecy would've paid off right? To say that Anniyan did the copying from Gentleman, Indian and Muthalvan is an understatement. Anniyan was unique in screenplay because it was about society's reform. Sivaji's just rehashing the done-to-death plot in a cliched fashion. Same goes for the revenge theme.
Another problem with Sivaji was the amateurish treatment. Namely the following:
I) The romance between Tamizhselvi and Sivaji
II) The emphasizing of the Jadagam of Sivaji's presumed future
III) The stunt scene at the movie theater.
IV) The songs improper placement.
V) While Vivek's in form again after a long time, he tended to get irritating later on. Some of his unwanted jokes could've been cut.
VI) Shriya's costumes. Ironically enough, Sivaji wants a tamizh like bride that's all normal and dresses normally, yet the songs seem to show a different side...
VII) The "bald" treatment.
VIII) Rajni's parents.
Some of the sequences work well:
I)Some Rajni references in a comical style was a good tribute to the star.
II)MMS Sivaji receives in jail.
III)The mimicry scene. Bringing in Mayilsamy, Chinni Jayanth and Dhamu was a nice touch.
IV) Suman's scenes.
Technically, Sivaji is brilliant. Camera by K.V Anand is superb. The graphics team deserves accolades for the overally look. The editing though [Anthony], could've been a bit more tighter. Art by Thotta Tharani gives a methaphoric design to the film. Choreography by Lawerance and Prabhu Deva could use some more work.
Music by A.R Rahman disappoints. Barring Sahara and Baleilakka, the rest of the numbers pass muster. The background score is a tad better than the soundtrack itself.
Rajni isn't an Morgan Freeman or Amrish Puri, but he just does what he does best that's about it. Shriya Saran is wasted and gets limited scope. Moreover, she needs a crash-course in acting. Suman excells and is a revelation. Vivek is in form again but his comic-timing is unwanted in some places. Manivannan and the supporting cast make their prescence felt. Nayantara [sp. appearance in Baleilakka] needs to lose the flab.
Overall, Sivaji is gloss and glitter minus the screenplay. Commerically and from a fan's perspective, the film will prosper because it's a Rajni film.
Rating: **1/2
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Movie Review - Pyaar Ke Side Effects (2007)
It's a rare treat these days to get such different themes of movies instead of the same old "dishoom-dishoom" or the typical "Yash Chopra triangle or rather repeated Switz locales". That statement best describes Saket Choudhary's debut film "Pyaar ke side effects". With a cast comprising Art hero, Rahul Bose and "Mayya Mayya" Malika Sherawat, and more, the film boasts of good performances better than the nightmare that was "Bheja Fry".
We are introduced to a couple [Bose and Sherawat], who question each other's comittment to marriage. It's when Bose starts to go haywire and come up with a paniking like answer in order to pay attention to the cricket match than his own girlfriend. Bose then narrates to us his flashback to a wedding where Trisha is getting married (duh). Bose himself is an RJ for that same wedding and decides to take a break from all the rapping and whatnot. But when he leaves the wedding, he finds that the bride too escaped from her wedding as she didn't feel ready for comittment. Years later, Bose itnroduces us to his friends, his wise sister, brother-in-law, roommate who can't get a date and Trisha's evil friend (ala Dracula). The rest of the film deals with what a typical American romantic comedy goes with.
While the lead actors were great, the plot was resemblent to some videshi movies seen countless number of times. But the scripting and plot is different and suited for a desi audience at least in my humble opinion. The only con I had with the film is that second fiddle heroine (baby doll or something), she was god damn awful. Her lips and wooden face was unbearable to watch.
Otherwise, have a ball and watch the film. You won't be disappointed.
Rating: ***
We are introduced to a couple [Bose and Sherawat], who question each other's comittment to marriage. It's when Bose starts to go haywire and come up with a paniking like answer in order to pay attention to the cricket match than his own girlfriend. Bose then narrates to us his flashback to a wedding where Trisha is getting married (duh). Bose himself is an RJ for that same wedding and decides to take a break from all the rapping and whatnot. But when he leaves the wedding, he finds that the bride too escaped from her wedding as she didn't feel ready for comittment. Years later, Bose itnroduces us to his friends, his wise sister, brother-in-law, roommate who can't get a date and Trisha's evil friend (ala Dracula). The rest of the film deals with what a typical American romantic comedy goes with.
While the lead actors were great, the plot was resemblent to some videshi movies seen countless number of times. But the scripting and plot is different and suited for a desi audience at least in my humble opinion. The only con I had with the film is that second fiddle heroine (baby doll or something), she was god damn awful. Her lips and wooden face was unbearable to watch.
Otherwise, have a ball and watch the film. You won't be disappointed.
Rating: ***
Movie Review - Bheja Fry (2007)
Summer's finally here (well for those in the US at least.) With great pleasure, I took the time to rent out some of the films released earlier this year and I got a chance to view them. One of the few is the flop-turned-hit, "Bheja Fry." Naturally, you wonder what's the film got to do with cooking or better yet the cooking item itself? Well for starters, the film has no relation to the eatery nor it has to do with cooking. It's in fact a comedy. Not a Priyadarshan type comedy but infact a simple comedy that lasts nearly 95 minutes.
The story goes like this: Ranjeet Thadlani [Rajat Kapoor] is a music exec who wants to launch new singers. At the same time, he has some on and off martial problems with his wife [Sarika]. He hears off a devoted and talented singer by the name of Bharat Bhushan [Vinay Pathak] and invites him over for dinner. That same day, Sarika leaves him in the dust and Ranjeet stresses every might of bringing her back to his arms. By going through frustrating moments with the obnoxious Bharat, his rivals come friends [Milind Soman and newcomer Bhaivaravi respectively] and of course, the income tax officer, [Ranveer Shorey].
The plot and characterization starts off well but by the time the lead female leaves, the moments with Pathak and Kapoor respectively increased the comical moments and his tension, but in other parts of the film, you tend to feel tired and frustrated by Pathak that you end up sympathizing with Ranjeet himself! At other times, the humor feels forced and the end product isn't very funny, it's unfunny.
Music isn't really much to say aside from 2 songs [One played in the movie, the other in the credits]. Acting wise, Pathak excells, Kapoor gels, but Sarika flops. Soman and the others past muster.
Overall, the film's a strong timepass. Watch with no frustration.
Rating: **1/2
The story goes like this: Ranjeet Thadlani [Rajat Kapoor] is a music exec who wants to launch new singers. At the same time, he has some on and off martial problems with his wife [Sarika]. He hears off a devoted and talented singer by the name of Bharat Bhushan [Vinay Pathak] and invites him over for dinner. That same day, Sarika leaves him in the dust and Ranjeet stresses every might of bringing her back to his arms. By going through frustrating moments with the obnoxious Bharat, his rivals come friends [Milind Soman and newcomer Bhaivaravi respectively] and of course, the income tax officer, [Ranveer Shorey].
The plot and characterization starts off well but by the time the lead female leaves, the moments with Pathak and Kapoor respectively increased the comical moments and his tension, but in other parts of the film, you tend to feel tired and frustrated by Pathak that you end up sympathizing with Ranjeet himself! At other times, the humor feels forced and the end product isn't very funny, it's unfunny.
Music isn't really much to say aside from 2 songs [One played in the movie, the other in the credits]. Acting wise, Pathak excells, Kapoor gels, but Sarika flops. Soman and the others past muster.
Overall, the film's a strong timepass. Watch with no frustration.
Rating: **1/2
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)