Review of Drona & Kidnap

Cast: Abhishek Bachchan, Priyanka Chopra, Kay Kay Menon, Jaya Bachchan

Producer: Shrishti Arya

Director: Goldie Behl

Rating: **

What a load of trash! Feels like forty years worth of super hero films of the East and the West recycled to create this film. When an orphaned Drona as a child is forced to live with his abusive aunt and spoilt cousin you are forcefully reminded of Harry Potter then you're plunged into a crass imitation of 1980s video game like atmosphere that is supposedly the villain's den. Then when Drona finds his bracelet it takes you right back to Mr India. If Drona had potential, it's been ruined by pure uninspiring film direction by Goldie Behl.

So Aditya (Abhishek Bachchan) grows up with resentment in his heart. He's never known what the love of a parent is and yearns for it. Cut to an elaborately long song where Abhishek does the jazz dance reminiscent of the 1970s Hollywood films for no reason whatsoever. Director Goldie Behl decides this is the best time to run the introduction titles. By this time you've already zoned out and decided the film is not worth more than two-and-a-half stars. As the film continues, you're not proved wrong.

The next scene takes you to a crude sfx created environment where the supposed villain Riz Raizada (Kay Kay Menon) creates a clone of himself using a drop of blood and some weird electricity passing through the globe. The rating just dropped to one-and-a-half stars. But then you see the new born Kay Kay Menon perform and you think there maybe more to this film.

Come another day, a fated meeting between Riz Raizada and Aditya has the former realise this is his arch enemy Drona. Riz immediately sends his men to chase Aditya while the frightened Aditya is surrounded by all these goons trying to protect him. Aditya doesn't understand why. Before he knows anything, he's hit by a poisoned dart, surrounded by yellow bodysuit clad men you can only assume are the villains before a gorgeous looking beauty pulling some fast moves to beat the living daylights out of the bad guys; nicely done. Then Aditya takes about a minute more to pass out during which the dusky beauty stares on. Clearly editing is not a strong point of the film.

A song once again, and an item number at that, has this beauty Sonia (Priyanka Chopra) stomping around with black half naked men while her "Adi Sa" regains consciousness in the basement and discovers his pictures stuck all over the wall. Apparently, songs are not the film's asset either.

Then Sonia tells Aditya of him being Drona, the chosen one to protect the elixir of life from demons. From there she takes him to his mother who had cast him away as a child to protect him. A shivering Jaya Bachchan walks towards her son, her voice clenched with emotion. Abhishek is expressionless. Later, mother and son spend time together as she tells him of how his father was killed by a demon who is now after him. Abhishek is still expressionless.

They're immediately interrupted by Riz who turns Jaya Bachchan into stone and promises to undo the magic if he comes back with the elixir. Here, Aditya finally transforms to Drona. He's still expressionless!

So… A walking statue as a lead called Abhishek Bachchan, always tearful actress named Priyanka Chopra and an aunt Jaya Bachchan doing a cameo. Duh! Kay Kay Menon is just about the only good thing to have happened to the film. Children might just take to this film. It's a definite no-no for anyone else.

Reads a long review? The film is infinitely longer and amply more torturous.

By Sanskriti Media & Entertainment

Source: http://www.aol.in/bollywood-story/drona-disappoints-crude-sfx-drab-drama/2008100111479019000001

Kidnap - Movie Review

Sanskriti Media

Last Updated: October 01, 2008 09:35:05

Cast: Sanjay Dutt, Imran Khan, Minissha Lamba, Vidya Malvade, Rahul Dev, Reema Lagoo

Director: Sanjay Gadhvi

Producer: Dhilin Mehta (Shree Ashtavinayak Cine Vision Ltd.)

Music: Pritam, Sandeep & Sanjeev Vyas

Rating: **1/2

Kidnap is a high level drama which unveils the story with each opening scene, step by step. It is basically the story of the fight between Imran Khan (an orphan), who wants to take revenge from Sanjay Dutt (an affluent New York-based Indian businessman, who does not see beyond money). Though a kind hearted father and a loving husband, he is too proud and unable to disclose his love to his wife Vidya Malvade. Minissha Lamba is the daughter of Sanjay and Vidya.

Vidya opts for a divorce on the pretext that Sanjay does not care for their well-being and is a shrewd businessman who only loves to count money by every second increase in it. Vidya is a strict mother and she does not like or want her daughter Minissha to continue any kind of relationship with her father. Vidya has been portrayed as a strict but care taking and loving mother who believes in restricting her daughter's movements. Despite her attempt to make her understand the dangers of being out of the house during late hours at night, Minissha refuses to budge and in a fit of rage she goes out one evening.

The film depicts how the family members are torn apart by turbulent misunderstanding. Minissha leaves the house and takes a plunge in the river to cool her anger but to her dismay she is kidnapped by Imran.

Imran wants this rich and stubborn businessman Sanjay realise how important the word 'sorry' is in his life that he wanted to tell him at the age of 14 but was not allowed at that point of time because of which his life gets topsy-turvy.

Innocent and poor people are always unheard. It is only the verdict of the rich that reigns higher. Sanjay misinterprets the actions of the 14-year-old boy and is adamant in getting him behind the bars – that's the backdrop of the revenge drama.

The direction of Sanjay Gadhvi keeps you zapped with head scratching inquisitiveness. Having cast prolific actors in the movie, Gadhvi definitely expected a good job out of them. And one has to confess, the contemporary cinema-goer will positively like their performances. Imran Khan especially who has not disappointed in this new avatar in his very second film.

Sanjay Dutt's macho man entry in his very first scene is not only breathtaking but his soft heartedness towards his daughter and accepting the tasks rendered to him by the kidnapper (Imran) undoubtedly identifies with him in real life. Needless to say that he is brilliant as always. Minissha Lamba fails to ignite any fire despite her skimpily clad attire. Vidya looks too young as Minissha's mother, but her modern dresses are quite refreshing so is her performance.

All in all, Kidnap solely survives on the high risks manoeuvres of the kidnapper. The film's commercial value is kept intact. Music score is seemingly mediocre, nothing special there. The dialogues are simple, and the incidents are more like a plethora of tales with ample amount of teachings. Cinematography is superb but the editing left a lot to be desired. Probably the length of the film remains a matter to be debated. Also, the film seems to be dragging a bit in the first half. Nevertheless, it is worth a one-time watch.

Lipika Varma, Sanskriti Media & Entertainment

Source: http://www.aol.in/bollywood-story/kidnap-movie-review/2008100103479019000001

There was not even one scene where I found any flaws.... the story just keeps you glued to the edge of your seat.

It's hard to believe what a change from boy-next-door look to an edgy-negative-guy look. This movie definately belongs to Imran all the way!😃

oh thanks for ur review...yaar these critics always rate good movies low...

Thanx for posting.