Wednesday, January 25, 2017

RAEES - MOVIE REVIEW

Raees is one of the most anticipated movie of this year, you might be thinking what was that factor which makes it most anticipated and the answer for that is Shah Rukh Khan- Yea, King Khan is back with another big movie. Raees is directed by Rahul Dholakia which has got SRK and Mahira Khan in the lead role also there's Nawazuddin Siddique with an equally important role, Dholakia did the casting well, the list goes on with the likes of talented Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, Atul Kulkarni, Narendra Jha, Sheeba Chaddha and Sunny Leone.


"Raees" is a typical Bollywood blockbuster designed like films of the early 1980s, with over-the-top yet thrilling action, drama and a tinge of romance. Raees is the type of film where the protagonist emerges from behind clouds of dust, does back flips on top of a moving truck, and turns everyday objects such as hairgrips and geometric compasses into nifty weapons. 

The treatment, however, opts for fanfare over depth. There is little insight into Raees’ criminal personality. It is not clear what stirs and sustains his enormous hunger for success, although low self-esteem is hinted at in his disapproval of the nickname “battery” (a colloquial reference to his spectacles). It is only explained, through repeated uttering, that the man believes “Koi dhanda chota nahi hota. Aur dhande se bada koi dharm nahi hota” (No business is lowly. And business outranks religion).  While the character’s triumphs are punctuated with songs, moments of defeat or despair are brief and afterthought-like. The result is quite enjoyable but equally unexceptional. One dazzling moment is in the introduction of Nawazzudin Siddiqui who delivers a hilarious speech with textbook understatement. The fights, featuring parkour moves and a videogame-style shooting spree are somewhat sanitised. The characters land safely like cats and wounds, if suffered at all, appear to heal quickly.  With complex scenes, the plot offers nothing that you have not seen before. Narrated in a linear manner, the script is taut and the narrative moves at a rapid pace. The first half is promising and the second half which begins with Inspector Majumdar's point of view holds your attention with equal gusto, but unfortunately, the climax tilts into a predictable zone of bad things happen to bad people, making the film a cliched fare.

Shah Rukh Khan does not do a Shah Rukh Khan. The signature stutter is absent; he makes himself big and menacing. Yet the actor, who spoke in recent interviews about wanting to get his cinema right, is mainly left dealing in punch-lines but in many areas he emerges as a sympathetic and even admirable character and he does a good job of portraying a brutal character albeit with soft tones in equal measure.

Mahira, who is a top-ranked television star in Pakistan, shows a kind oof restraint that seems out of place in the masala flick. Her character is perfunctorily included to add the romance angle and her onscreen chemistry with Shah Rukh lacks zing. 

Nawazuddin Siddique is equally competent. His cat-and-mouse chase with Raees, punctuated with vibrant dialogues often elicit a chuckle. Together they keep you hooked. Siddique has a meaty share of good lines and banter.

The action sequences are well choreographed, brutally raw and a bit far-fetched, making the act unrealistic especially the long chase and fisticuffs with Muharram celebrations in the backdrop. The songs are well choreographed and seamlessly mesh into the narrative. But the quick edits will diisturb the smooth viewing experience.

POSITIVES
1- Another King Khan movie
2- Nawazuddin Siddique is a treat to watch.
3-Songs and Background musics are good
4- BraveBrave attempt by director
5- Sunny Leone as a wake up call.

NEGATIVES
1- Story line is predictable.
2- Mahira Khan’s role- she didn't had much to do.

Raees will no doubt be among the big earners in Bollywood this year. It shows, as promised, “baniye ka dimaag, miyan bhai ki daring" in box office, but it could have aspired to do more. As a whole movie there is nothing special than just another average flick. It's a daring attempt by the director but as a movie "Na baniye ka dimaag, Na miyan bhai ki daring". 

RAEES 6.5/10 (JUST ABOVE AVERAGE )

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