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Movie Review - Kites - Not Verrrrrry Bad


Not verrrrrry bad.


So how do we start?..

Kites - one of the most eagerly awaited films of the year. Promoted virtually as Hrithiks passport to Hollywood - with an english version slated to release in a few weeks. Good music. Produced by the stalwart of thrillers (Rakesh Roshan) and a contemporary guru in handling relationships (Anurag Basu). A hyped palpable on&off screen chemistry between the lead pair. What more does a movie need?..

More often than not, hyped films are a victim of their own doings. Remember how Love story 2050 was India's answer to Star Trek? For all the hype, Kites is eventually a very formula masala Bollywood movie - think same old wine in a flashy new bottle. Eventually, it isnt a terrible on its own, but after all the hype, it's a tragedy (pun intended). Its very average.

A marriage agent J (Hrithik) - (the kinds who marries women for money in exchange of green cards) based in Vegas - who is a kickass dancer - has Kangana - the daughter of this multi-zulti-ulti millionaire Indian, owner of one of the biggest casino in Vegas (Kabir Bedi) - falling and dancing head over heals (literally :P) for this guy. Now J doesnt love her as much as he loves the money, but still agrees to marry this edgy babe. Enter Linda (Spanish babe - who knows no Hindi) - whos also fiancée of Kangana's richie rich brother. The first time he sees her is under water where she is fluttering away in a designer bikini.. NO WAIT - he just married her last week - she too is all about the money! So its a matter of time, before the two realise they love eachother more than the money - the rest is ofcourse, bollywood. :)

Its a bearable movie - and not very hatable. The film has its high moments - some warm, some funny - but they are few and far between.

Acting - we have seen Hrithik do much much much better. In an attempt to internationalise the film, the actor is forced to fake an accent, thats too fake. We have also seen him dance better - although these flips are his first (and probably first for a Bollywood hero?). Papa Roshan sure tried to give his son a complete Hollywood showreel in the form of a film - so he dances, flaunts his 6 packs, looks international - we are not done yet - sings as well! But his impressive resume is hardly a good recipe for a film. Barbara looks gorgeous, and has her moments too. But their chemistry is far from steaming hot, and just about lukewarm (its nothing compared to the Dhoom2 chemistry he shared with Aishwarya or even the cute mushy thing he had going with Preity Zinta). Kangana is forgettable in a thankless role (but she gets do her signature shriek-and-cry once, check!).

Music - good, contemporary and brings the movie alive sometimes.

Action - Oh please! Its comic strip sequences. For all its emphasis on internationalising the movie - the action is outright bollywood 1980s- 90s style. What with Police cars topplings at the will of the Hero, bizzare escapes (from a car to a Hot air balloon), the couple escaping all gun shots until climax, I could go on!..

Overall - it is neither Rakesh Roshans thrill nor Anurag Basus emotional quotient. What you have is a very oridinary film failing to touch you or wow you. It is almost as if the tragedy, is meant to somehow move you in the end. But delicious toppings can't save a badly baked cake.

Its okay. Not verrrrry bad. 2.5 (1 of them simply to the music) . Hrithik fans have enough to cheer for ands will ensure the movie doesnt flop. But is this that big crossover film? Nope, far from it!

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