Pink Panther 2 Review

The Pink Panther returns

Your enjoyment of "The Pink Panther 2" is likely to be dependent on what you thought of the first "The Pink Panther" movie. If you thought the first flick starring Steve Martin as the bumbling Inspector Jacques Clouseau of the French Police was an enjoyable, silly gooffest, you'll probably enjoy the Harald Zwart directed sequel. However, if you thought the first movie was an abomination, a cinematic abortion, and a vile piece of garbage that sullies the legacy of Peter Sellers, then you're probably not going to enjoy the Harald Zwart directed sequel. I actually liked the first flick (you can check out my review of it here) and I can say that, while it doesn't break any new ground in the realm of broad, silly slapstick family comedy, "The Pink Panther 2" is still plenty fun and a good time at the movies.

The Plot

The flick's story, credited to Scott Neustadter, Michael H. Weber, and Steve Martin, features Clouseau as the head of an international "Dream Team" of ace detectives looking into the theft of some of the world's most precious artifacts by a master thief known only as "the Tornado." The Magna Carta, the Imperial Sword of Japan, and the Shroud of Turin are just some of the national treasures stolen. Since this is a "Pink Panther" movie, the Pink Panther diamond, France's "greatest national treasure," is also stolen by the Tornado, but only after Clouseau is on the case and "steps out of France" (one of the movie's better jokes). Joining Inspector Clouseau and his trusty sidekick Ponton (Jean Reno) is Italian ace detective Vicenzo (Andy Garcia), the self professed English master of deduction Pepperidge (Alfred Molina), Japanese tech detective sensation Kenji (Yuki Matsuzaki), and the uber hot Sonia (Aishwarya Rai Bachchan), who is an expert in the field of criminology and at wearing very tight white dresses. As you'd expect, the "Dream Team" doesn't get along all that well. Most of the friction is due to Clouseau's seeming stupidity (both Pepperidge and Vicenzo openly question why Clouseau is in charge when it appears that he doesn't know what he's doing and that he's, well, an idiot). The man just doesn't instill much confidence in anyone besides Ponton and Nicole (Emily Mortimer), Clouseau's personal secretary, who is in love with Clouseau but can't come right out and say it. Despite their differences, the team travels to the various crime scenes and looks for clues. They eventually decide to question a man by the name of Avellaneda (Jeremy Irons), a shady rich guy who could hold the key to the whole Tornado mystery. Is he the infamous thief, who also steals the Pope's ring, or is the Tornado really someone else?

The Performances

Jean Reno puts in another fine performance as sidekick Ponton. Ponton gets a funny sidestory where he gets kicked out of his house by his wife after taking relationship advice from Clouseau, which turns out to be a total disaster. Ponton and his two sons (they decided to side with their father) move in with Clouseau and engage in impromptu kung fu training fight sessions. Ponton eventually sees the error of his ways and moves back in with his wife, swearing off Clouseau's advice, but his steadfast loyalty to his boss is what makes the character work. No matter what, even when he knows better, he still respects Clouseau and follows his lead. Emily Mortimer does a great job as Nicole, Clouseau's love interest. She has a kind of mousy charisma that works well with Martin's confident silliness. You easily believe that they belong together. Andy Garcia, Alfred Molina, and Yuki Matsuzaki are outstanding as members of the international detective dream team. They each bring something different to the group (Garcia is the charismatic heartthrob, Molina is the stiff British detective, and Matsuzaki is Mr. Technology), but they also bring a nice collective astonishment/pseudo group naivete in that their boss, Clouseau, can't possibly be the best detective in the world because he's such an idiot. You just know that they're going to have their group bubble burst at some point. When, though, is anyone's guess (and you just know that Molina's Pepperidge is going to regret the promise he makes to everyone in the group about Clouseau solving the case). And Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is supremely hot as Sonia, which is really her job throughout the movie. To be hot. And, again, she does a damn fine job.

The Verdict

"The Pink Panther 2" is a fine addition to the Steve Martin led goofy detective franchise, although, again, despite its silly slapstick and reather broad comedy underpinnings, it isn't for everyone. If you liked the first Martin led "The Pink Panther" and have a high tolerance for silliness, then you'll like the sequel just fine. If you didn't like the first movie and can't stand silly people, then I'd tell you to avoid it like the plague. You won't like it.

Rating - 4/5 Just Enjoy....Great Movie

Review of Delhi-6

The Plot

Set in old Delhi, the screenplay [Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, Prasoon Joshi, Kamlesh Pandey] takes its own sweet time to come to the point. In fact, the entire first half is dedicated to the sundry characters in the bylanes of old Delhi, where several stories run parallel with the main plot.

The two warring brothers [Om Puri, Pawan Malhotra] and the wall that divides the two; the daughter of the house [Sonam Kapoor] aspires to be an 'Indian Idol' contestant; a moneylender's [Prem Chopra] wife has an illicit relationship with one of his lecherous debtors [Cyrus Sahukar]; an 'untouchable' [Divya Dutta] makes more sense than the so-called thekedaars of samaj; a friend of the family [Rishi Kapoor] has still not forgotten his first love [Tanvi Azmi].

Oh yes, there's also a 'Kaala Bandar' who spreads havoc in the locality. Really, Rakeysh tries to pack in multiple stories in those 2.18 hours.

But, alas, the problem is that barring a few individualistic sequences, you don't carry the film home. The film is engaging in bits and spurts. Worse, it tends to get monotonous, preachy and boring and the end is so bizarre, you actually want to ask the writers, 'Hey guys, you okay?'

The Story

Delhi-6 tells the story of a young American boy Roshan [Abhishek Bachchan] of Indian origin, who comes to India for the first time, to drop his ailing grandmother [Waheeda Rehman]. She wants to retire and spend the last leg of her life back home; dissolving into the soil she was born in.

In America, having led a very western lifestyle, Roshan is not familiar with the sites and smells, the food and culture, the religion and beliefs,

this huge melting pot that India is. He believes that Dadi had left her family and loved ones back in America, only to realise that how wrong he was.

The warmth and affection of the neighbourhood embraces him with open arms. Amidst all this he meets the beautiful Bittu [Sonam Kapoor], who wants to break free from the typical Indian social structure. Roshan is destined to lose his heart to her.

That Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra is an accomplished storyteller is evident in several individualistic scenes. Note the scene when Vijay Raaz slaps Abhishek and Abhishek slaps him back. Also, portions in the second hour, when a Baba [Akhilendra Mishra] triggers off the Mandir-Masjid talk and divides the two communities, is very well structured. Th

e sequences are disturbing and the writers and director succeed in exposing the fickle-minded people residing in the locality.

But the screenplay isn't foolproof. The romantic track is the weakest link in the enterprise. The love story falls flat. Also, the ending is so abstract that an average moviegoer would find it difficult to comprehend what the actual culmination is. The sequenc

e in the end, when Amitabh and Abhishek have a conver

sation, looks weird. In fact, ridiculous. What was the need to have this sequence? It makes no sense. Even the Ram Leela sequences, interspersed at regular intervals, are forced in the screenplay.

Rakeysh's handling of the subject is exemplary at places. But the writing [faulty at times] as also the execution of the material isn't the type that would appeal to all se

ctions of moviegoers.

The Music

A.R. Rahman's music is outstanding; it's easily amongst his finest works. 'Masakali', 'Ye Dilli Hai Mere Yaar', 'Rehna Tu', 'Maula' and 'Genda Phool' are amazing tracks. Ditto for Prasoon Joshi's lyrics; they're gems. Binod Pradhan's cinematography is brilliant. Watch the Jama Masjid sequence [breath-taking] or the camera movements in the bylanes of old Delhi. Just one word to describe the output: Incredible!

Bollywood Movie: Delhi 6 | Song: Dilhi 6
More Songs from Delhi 6

Music Rating-3.5/5

The Verdict

Abhishek doesn't work. His American accent sounds fake. Sonam is likeable. Waheeda Rahman enacts her part well. Rishi Kapoor is wasted. He deserved a better role. Amongst supporting actors, Om Puri [powerful], Pawan Malhotra [flawless], Vijay Raaz [tremendous], Deepak Dobriyal [genuine], Divya Dutta [admirable] and Cyrus Sahukar [likable] leave a mark.

Prem Chopra is alright. Atul Kulkarni looks like a buffoon. And what is Raghvir Yadav doing in this film? S

upriya Pathak, Tanvi Azmi, K.K. Raina, Akhilendra Mishra and Dayashanker Pandey are passable. Amitabh Bachchan's presence in the penultimate minutes fails to evoke any reaction.

On the whole, Delhi-6 has a terribly boring beginning [first hour], an absorbing middle [second half] and a weak end [climax]. At the box-office, the business is bound to be divided. The film may record bountiful collections at multiplexes in its opening weekend. The popular music as also the fact that there's no major opposition will benefit the film in the initial days. But the business at single screens as also the mass belt will be a shocking contrast. However, the cracks will start appearing sooner than expected, even at plexes.

Rating

Average picture, If you like to see Abhishek & Sonam, then you should watch

LUCK BY CHANCE

THE PLOT
The fantasy sellers and the devoted audience, the insane love for Cinema mixed with the eccentric notion of divinity and archaic beliefs; these are the contradictions that keep this world spinning.
The stark reality of living in India juxtaposed with the fantastical world depicted on screen suddenly begins to make sense... Sona arrives in Bombay with her dreams of becoming a film star. Wide eyed but ambitious, she does whatever it takes, to make it. She lives on her own in a rented apartment - a luxury for most in this bustling city and spends her time with a motley crew of loyal friends whose lives are also entwined with Bollywood, each one in search of a bigger dream. Vikram has just moved to the City leaving the comforts of his parents Delhi Home. He is a mover, he is used to getting what he wants and is smart enough to know when to demand it and when to manipulate it. He is young and handsome, and full of promise. Sona begins to enjoy Vikram’s attention and affections; they develop a romantic relationship. Rolly is a successful though superstitious producer who only works with the biggest stars. He is making a potential blockbuster launching the nubile Nikki Khurana, the 18-year-old daughter of 70's superstar, Neena. The hero of the film, Zaffar Khan, is Rolly’s favorite superstar. He was launched by Rolly and went on to become a huge draw at the box office. The wheels of fate indeed continue to spin favorably for Vikram, as elsewhere in the industry, havoc spreads on the sets of producer Rommy Rolly's new film. Vikram is called in for an audition and uses this opportunity to the fullest. The film is about a slice of Bollywood life, in which Kismet plays a huge role. Here, notions of superstition, fate and destiny underline every life, as grand desires and opportunity converge to form strange patterns. In such an unpredictable climate is success and failure what others define for you or is it something you decide for yourself. Luck By Chance is acontemporary tale set in a world desperate to escape its own reality.

THE VERDICT
On the whole, LUCK BY CHANCE is an outstanding film in all respects. A magnificent outing from the producers of ROCK ON!!, LUCK BY CHANCE is sure to prove an extremely lucky and rewarding experience at the box-office. Strongly recommended!

RATING
Rating is good enough.

RAAZ-The mistry continue

Imran solve the mistry

The PLOT

Audiences know what to expect from a Vishesh Films movie. Over the last two decades they have given some of the best musical hits. ‘Raaz- The Mystery Continues’, tentatively a sequel to ‘Raaz’, will not disappoint music lovers, though the album is not in the same league as the Bhatts’ past hit albums like ‘Jannat’, ‘Kalyug’ or '‘Zeher'. The movie, being directed by Mohit Suri, has a line of talented composers for the album – Raju Singh, Sharib-Toshi, Gourov Dasgupta and Pranay M Rijia. Lyrics are penned by their favourite Sayeed Qadri along with Kumaar.

THE VERDIT

Well, the entire album is not that dramatic like the movie sounds, neither has it the expected spooky effect. But it offers a good compilation for music lovers. And to compare Raaz-TMC with Nadeem Shravan’s ‘Raaz’ is inevitable. But this album will not disappoint, instead will leave you entertained just like the other albums from the Bhatt camp.

RATTING

IT's average so u can spend ur money on it.

Hurman could not find 'Victory'

THE PLOT
Vijay ( Hurman ), a cricketer from small-town Rajasthan is so good that he should, by rights, have been in the Indian team. But, and this is a story we know well, he doesn't even get a look-in on the Ranji.

`Victory' is about Vijay's rise-fall-rise, the heady feeling of success, and the perils of untrammeled avarice. A greedy agent ( Gulshan) gets his claws into the rising star, who slides down the slippery slope of here-now-gone-the-next-instant-fame, forgetting those who kept him grounded, `deshbhakt' dad ( Anupam), and best bud ( Amrita).

The film has been mounted lavishly, and no expense has been spared at making it look and feel authentic. A fleet of international cricketers have quite a lot of screen time. They include Harbhajan Singh and Jayasuriya and the dishy Brett Lee : their job is to stand around and applaud while our hero wins the matches.

THE VERDICT
The film is saddled with clichéd melodrama that makes you cringe. I can't even recall the number of stereotypical dialogues and scenes this film crams in. It's a film where an out of form cricketer touches the coach's feet before a crunch game. It's a film in which celebrity managers are referred to as dalals and endorsement money is called 'gandi kamai'. It's a film where everyone screams out of their lungs regardless of the situation.

THE RATING
1/5 Very poor. Don't waste any money (or time) on it.