Movie Review: Bang Bang! makes more noise, little sense
| |
Go into this movie leaving your mistrust and incredulity at the door. Not only will it have you rolling your eyes at Hrithik Roshan constantly jumping off bridges and high-rise buildings, unscathed like he's invincible, but will also make you wonder – in what parallel universe does a girl, as gorgeous as Katrina Kaif, needs to look on the internet for a date?
Though loosely based on Hollywood’s Knight and Day (2010), starring Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz, one wishes the duration of the film was also adopted. The typical, twice as long film stands true to its title and makes more noise and little sense.
The film starts off with international terrorist, Omar Zafar's (Danny Denzongpa) men breaking into his prison cell and helping him escape. Officer Viren Nanda (Jimmy Shergill) and his guards are killed in the aftermath. Soon after, Omar offers a $5 million reward to any Indian who can steal the Koh-i-Noor diamond.
Enter the charismatic and incredibly stealthy Rajveer (Hrithik Roshan), who obviously manages to steal the diamond effortlessly but decides he wants more money for it.
This kicks off a cat and mouse chase that just seems to be never ending.
In the middle of all this, he crosses paths with the timid Harleen Sahani (Katrina Kaif), bank receptionist who unwillingly gets sucked into going on this global adventure with the criminal mastermind she just met on a blind date.
Hrithik and Katrina don't work as a couple. It's an enigma because there is no doubt about either of them being gorgeous, but they lack chemistry and the romance comes off forced; they didn't get it right in Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara and they didn't get it right this time either. Not to mention that Katrina's acting chops haven't improved and she plays yet another ditzy girl role.
It's a fast-paced action movie with incredibly predictable action sequences. Apparently, Hrithik has tried stunts that have never been done before in India, such as using a fly-board water jetpack in such a context.
That being said, even though most of the action sequences look too incredulous to be true, Hrithik's onscreen presence and charm will make you a believer. The star power he possesses may have been the reason why this film became the fifth highest opening Bollywood film in India.
On screen, he genuinely looks like he's having a ball and it makes the movie tolerable at best. That, and his dancing. He dances like a dream in songs like Bang Bang and Tu Meri, where Katrina sloppily tries to keep up.
Bang Bang! has its moments, but coupled with flat dialogues, the plot left a lot to be desired.
At two hours and 30 minutes, the movie is a drag and will have you itching to get out of your seat.
Overall score: 2/5
Directed by Siddharth Anand , the cast includes Hrithik Roshan, Katrina Kaif, Danny Denzongpa, Jaaved Jaffrey, Pawan Malhotra and Jimmy Shergill.