The first time I saw this film, I saw it in a theater with a handful of people. It was the first show, in the afternoon, and here in UK, no matter how big the film, the first show never reaches full occupancy, or even half of the potential. The second thing was, there was this couple that continuously annoyed me throughout the film. They had with them an out of control child, that would run around amok, shout and scream, and instead of trying to quieten the child, they were finding it funny and were indirectly encouraging it by laughing about it. Most couples I have seen have the decency to take their child out of the theater if it becomes a disturbance, but this couple was steadfast. I was only just shy of confronting them.
Please, if you recognize yourself as that couple, please have the decency to control your children. It is annoying, beyond words for others to tolerate that. They have paid to see the film, like you, and most of us are quite enthused to see the film. Don't add your own sound effects.
This time when I saw the film, it was a completely different experience. The theater was almost packed full, it was so packed, people were returning, because they could not get good enough seats. Most importantly of all, there was much less of people adding their own sound effects and no annoying couples. That is probably part of the reason why I really enjoyed the film this time.
The first time, I was slightly disappointed, especially in the romance and comedy, which was only occasionally delightful, but mostly dull and prolonged. I think this had more to do with my expectations of a "Super Hero" film. Actually, this time I found the romance and comedy does flow quite smoothly, it still needs to be shortened and tightened, but I didn't really mind it this time. On the contrary, it was all delightful this time.
I actually got it. It's not really a super hero film, it is the beginning of a Superhero. It's Krrish Begins! The film really is about how the journey of Krrish begins, and that is actually deftly handled. It's chronicles his emotional journey and his spiritual journey, of self-actualization. By the end of the film, Krrish has grown up into a confident, self-assured, suave superhero and his talents explode and literally a superhero is born. Yes, it's official, India has a new superhero, who is set to take his place among the best. Forget India, the world has a new superhero. Hollywood has been monopolizing this market for far too long, it about time somebody challenges it's hegemony. Who better to do that, than the biggest film industry in the world.
In an industry, where the Khans are the the most talked about and most acknowledged heroes. Hrithik Roshan has leapt way over them in Krrish style, and become a superhero and an overnight international sensation, that will be unparalleled for a long time. The Khans are going to find it hard to top that. I would not be surprised if each of them feature in their own superhero film and India won't just have one then, but many!
I am a witness to the phenomenon that is Krrish. When I was walking to the theater, the kids that were with me, told me how they wanted to see X men instead of Krrish. They said, the special effects in Krrish is not going to be as good as X men etc They were also not too happy, that Jadoo was not going to be in Krrish. They told me their favorite superhero was Spiderman and Superman. After the film, the same kids were raving about Krrish, they told me the special effects were awesome and Krrish is their new favorite superhero! Krrish had captured their imagination in such an astonishing way, that they were trying to act like him! They're definitely looking forward to Krrish 2: The Return of Jadoo.
I then realized what Rakesh Roshan had accomplished. He had given India it's first sensational science fiction series, that's almost as historic as Star Wars was for Hollywood. He had also brought back the children to the magic of Bollywood, who are inevitably going to become the new mega market. Well done Roshan. I hope filmmakers in India learn from the example you have set and explore the fantasy genre further. I am actually expecting a whole deluge of such films in the coming few years.
Krrish, still does not take us to the level of Hollywood, though it does signal that we don't have too far to go. It would be unreasonable to expect. It's not just because Hollywood has more money to spend, it's because they have decades of experience in using visual effects, animation, pyrotechnics and wires. As I said in my last review, Rakesh Roshan's inexperience does show. He needs to pay more attention to the lighting. If the lighting of the CG and the live action is mismatched, even slightly, it will become apparent that they are juxtaposed. This will only come with experience.
The extreme long shot, when Hrithik climbs the mountain in zig zag style, is a composite of live action with a CG Hrithik Roshan. The CG Hrithik Roshan has been used a few times in the film, a much more notable use is when Hrithik Roshan jumps onto the clock tower. However, I found that because I was so immersed in the illusion this time, I did not notice. I also did not notice the CG fire in the Circus.
If you do not actually sit there, trying to scrutinize the effects work like a prude, it works big time. In fact, if you did the same with a Hollywood film, you will almost always notice the CG. In fact, have you seen the trailer of Super Man returns? It is so blatantly obvious that they are using a CG superman and CG background. There is such a thing as using too much CG. That is poors effects work in my opinion, and even Krrish is looking better. Yes, Hollywood also goofs up.
Krrish's most impressive effects work, is when Krrish climbs the tree to save Priyanka Chopra. This whole sequence is worthy of Tony Ching. The next most impressive is the supercomputer sequence, which borrows from Minority Report and Paycheck, but Hollywood films borrow effects all the time.(just how over-used is the Matrix bullet-time and time freeze effects) The ground, air and water helicopter chase, up to the fight sequence on the island, is the next best. These are good effects by any standards.
So let's not continue to say they are "good by Bollywood standards" They are good by any standards.
The cinematography is simply gorgeous. Manali is breathtaking and idyllic and Singapore is sexy. The background score seems like it has been designed solely for Krrish. It is important for a superhero film to have it's own distinguishing and adrenaline-rushing score, and Krrish has its.
In fact Krrish has all the makings of a superhero, that has a distinct Indian flavor; a thrilling background score; a character history that explains it's powers; an awesome and idiosyncratic style; a great physique, super intelligence and of course a whole array of supernatural powers. Hrithik Roshan was born for this! He's made history.
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's India's new superhero! Hrithik Roshan as Krrish. Go and watch it again, it has great repeat value and definitely take the kids(with the added responsibility of making sure they don't disturb) Films like Krrish don't happen too often in India. It deserves to be a blockbuster and it needs yours patronage.
Note: My other review has been replaced(not by intention!)
