Jan 26, 2012 04:18 PM
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With this review, my friends may term me overtly optimistic. However, I choose to review films that I feel are worthy of a 200 words plus tribute for the records. Rockstar, Don 2 and this. And yes, I did give a miss to write about Players, which goes without saying!
Like the original, the setup is still of the early 90s. But the grandeur that this version oozes aided majorly by the unending thump in the background score and secondly by the proper sketching of the major characters is worth being termed a tribute to the typical Bollywood brand of cinema that was repeatedly, yet successfully exploited in the 70s and 80s and rather unwillingly made look silly in the 90s. However, the sincere filmy buff in us still wanted that ‘philmy-ness’ to be around and that is where Agneepath succeeds to amuse you. And mind you, it also has decent material for those people who 'mind'.
I generally give the story a miss and this won’t be an exception but have to mention that you don’t really get a hangover of the 1990 version, except at the places, where you actually want to (read the verses, the introduction by Mr. Chauhan and a little more, which I don’t feel like disclosing).
Write it down- It is the rebirth of Rishi Kapoor. A class act altogether. If he continues this way, he is sure to send some veterans of the genre packing! Dutt as Kancha is 2X the Khalnayak minus the charm and added the gyaan. Cult revisited. Hritik shows enough eyes and expressions for all to notice. And how do you miss the chiseled look. He has put enough effort to be in nomination lists aplenty. PC is enjoyably charming and has a well-sketched character. Om Puri's retiring woes continue after Don 2. By now, he can play the cop act even in his sleep!
Technically, the film doesn't fail to awestruck you at any moment with its art direction, background score and raw action sequences. Sabu Cyril, Ajay-Atul and Abbas Ali Moghul respectively make a mark with their works. The songs have interesting placement in the script, though a couple of them could have been avoided.
The first 90 minutes keep you glued and asking for a break, except for the lighter moments, say a song. However, the editing gets wayward in the second half and leaves the overall impact a little blemished.
The best addition to the original film is emotional quotient. This will help it grab more family audience and at the same time connect with the masses. There are plenty of wet eye moments, some laced with agony, the others with affection and tragedy. The love track never takes the driving seat, neither is it meant to. All in all, the film may not be liked by those who compare it with the original and those who cannot stand a masala Hindi entertainer. Also, for those who think, Hritik could do a jig even at funerals, you will return disappointed!
The climax is gruesome and very well shot. Also, there are some shockers in the way to the befitting end that may not amuse the masses, if you get what I mean by that.
4 stars.
