Movie Review: Don is Back, New and Improved


Movie Review: Don is Back, New and Improved

Anitha S
Daijiworld Media Network - Entertainment
Rating: 3/5

Mangalore, Dec 24: We have seen him before, way back in 2006, and you almost want to believe that Don is real, and that the five-year experience between then and now has done him good. Well, that might sound nonsensical, but the bottomline is simply this - 'Don 2, The Chase Continues' is a much-improved version of its predecessor, which in turn was a remake of Big B's 1978 'Don'.

And when I say that, what I mean is Shahrukh Khan has made the character of Don look much more sinister and, if you will, even lovable, than in his previous venture. The 'Don' of 2006 made you compare him with Amitabh, here, you find yourself comparing the Shahrukh of 2011 and 2006, and it's heartening that the King does not let you down.


Plot

You will not find any story here. The entire film is about a major heist that Don is planning on a top Berlin Bank. But before that, we are giving a glimpse of the bad guy in super cool avatar, with long hair and unshaven face, enjoying a boat ride before hauling up 10 macho men single-handedly and blowing up a houseboat. That, in essence, sets the tone for the rest of the movie - a series of car chases, ending up, ofcourse, with explosions, machine guns going beserk in all directions, fast-paced fights, and even a leap from a 40-floor building, which is sadly unexciting.

So then, to get his plan into action, Don takes a roundabout way - he surrenders to the law, gets himself jailed, only to get his hands on Vardhan (Bomman Irani). Remember him? DeSilva alias Vardhan who has been in jail since 2006 (Yes, for five years, he says). The two join hands, sneak out of the jail with a plan that puts all prisoners in hospital (the Most Wanted criminal in jail is not under watch, mind you), and then the scene shifts to Europe. But Don being Don, his ideas are greater than a mere bank robbery - he wants to get his hands on the currency plates that print the notes. How he does that, and the various twists and turns, is too complicated to explain.

On the other hand is the Interpol and Malik's (Om Puri) team led by Roma (Priyanka Chopra), who's favourite action is slapping her forehead and saying 'damn it'. The robbery takes place right under their noses, and all they can do is get an army of police officers waiting patiently outside the building and obey Don's commands.

For sure, he is not your usual Don. There are no henchmen, no line of cars and no gang either. Being virtually a one-man army despite the international drug market he controls, he gets together a team to work with him. There's Sameer (Kunal Kapoor) the young hacker, and the vice-president of Berlin bank Diwan (Aly Khan) who is blackmailed into it. Plus a number of 'goras'. And not to forget, Don's arm candy Aysha (Lara Dutta) who doubles up as a moll.


Movie

The movie could have been more pacey. There are endless discussions between Don and his team, and the climax goes on forever. Just when you think it's over, something else comes up. Nothing to complain about cinematography, and the screen play is a tad bit confusing at times. You have no idea how a young inexperienced hacker gets all the intricate details about the security system in highly guarded bank, but then this is not a movie to break your head over little details. Background score is nothing special from the earlier one. Dialogues are witty in parts, but otherwise run-of-the-mill, with the quintessential 'Don ko Pakadna...' repeated every now and then.


Performances

The movie works because of Shahrukh Khan alone. He towers over everyone else, and his enigmatic presence and dashing looks coupled with some witty dialogues now and then create magic on screen. The eccentric kingpin has an uncanny knack of coming up with the most trivial replies in serious situations, (like when he says 'No autographs please' when he reveals himself to Diwan), which will make u chuckle. The movie may have glimpses of Hollywood clicks, especially MI4, but it would be injustice to write it off.

Priyanka Chopra is stylish and glamourous, but performance-wise nothing great. Boman Irani is at his usual self, but doesn't look menacing enough. Lara Dutta has little to do except looking good and smiling seductively, which she does nicely.


Verdict

'Don 2' is definitely worth a watch. It may not really thrill you, may not give you any edge-of-the seat moment either, but it will surely entertain you. Yes, the Don is back, and how!

 

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Comment on this article

  • Bhani, mangalore

    Thu, Dec 29 2011

    Nice movie but as usual piggy cops did over acting with her stupid accent....!!!

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Rahul, Mangalore

    Tue, Dec 27 2011

    He cant act as good as Amithabh Bachan.... there is no realistic act in his face whenever he acts...

    DisAgree [1] Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Wilma, Mangalore, Dubai

    Mon, Dec 26 2011

    Lancelot
    Bazigar, Darr, DDLJ are all about Love story's and this is about DON we Indians have to be proud at last in 2011 Producers/Directors are showing to the world that Indians can afford such movies like Hollywood Ex: Robote, Rav 1, Don etc. and when it comes to Sallu and Sharuk people go to the theatres to see their action only doesnt even matter to them if the story is not good. that much popular these two Indian ever green hero's.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • Saleem Javed , Malpe

    Sun, Dec 25 2011

    Far Far Better Than Previous One :)

    DisAgree [3] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • Amul, Mangalore

    Sun, Dec 25 2011

    Super duper flop movie, cant believe some peoples choice.:)

    DisAgree [4] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • haris kh kumbra, puttur, Muscat

    Sun, Dec 25 2011

    Don is Back, New and Improved,,,
    Good movie 2011

    DisAgree [1] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • Janet Maria, Dubai

    Sun, Dec 25 2011

    I watched it yesterday it was amazing just like a Hollywood movie. Farhan Akhtar/SRK rocks.

    DisAgree [5] Agree [17] Reply Report Abuse

  • Lancelot N Tauro, Manglore - Doha Qatar

    Sun, Dec 25 2011

    Don2 after Rav one its super flop.. none like his movies Bazirgar, Darr, Dilwale Dulaniya le jayengs.

    DisAgree [18] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • HENRY MISQUITH, Bahrain

    Sat, Dec 24 2011

    Similar to Face off!!

    DisAgree [6] Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse

  • vicky, karkala

    Sat, Dec 24 2011

    Havent Watched the Movie yet, but hoping it Turns out Good, atleast 100times better than Ra1. A die hard SRK fan and accepting the fact that Ra1 was his worst Movie to date !

    DisAgree [7] Agree [15] Reply Report Abuse

  • Riyaz Ahmed, Mangalore / Basra

    Sat, Dec 24 2011

    yes...Don is Back / King khan is back

    DisAgree [21] Agree [22] Reply Report Abuse


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