Apr 14, 2010 01:07 PM
2556 Views
(Updated Apr 14, 2010 06:32 PM)
I enjoy pain. There is no other explanation for why I put myself through a daily diet of watching excruciatingly mind numbing movies, even though I know what im getting in for. Over the past 3 years, I've watched a Who's Who of Razzie award listers (Aap Ka Surroor, RGV Ki Aag, Tashan, Love Story 2050, Karzzzz, CC2C, Blue). While not quite in that august list, Prince sure makes an honest attempt.
Plot:
Prince (Vivek Oberoi). World famous thief (The sort who's apparatus used to steal, can quite literally, suck). Crack shot yet expert bullet dodger (hence the title. More later) who wakes up with a bullet wound and no recollection of who he is. Sarang (Isaiah), is after him for a particular coin which can give the owner magical powers. How Prince evades him, gets his memory back and what role do Maya & ACP Khan (they really should take a copyright on this name) play in it forms the remaining of the story.
Cons:
Waste of a good premise: I genuinely thought that the premise was interesting (if derived), but the execution really mucked things up. Unfortunately this seems to be the latest trend these (Blue a prime example).
I also didnt appreciate the blatant lifts from Iron-Man and the like. Audiences I doubt are so unexposed from American cinema.
Horrible song placements. "O Mere Khuda" could work brilliantly as a background song, but the treatment is unintentionally funny. Ditto "Tere Liye". What could be used as a romantic track at the beginning of a flashback, is used just before a climax to hilarious effect.
Pathetic Performances: One wonders why non-actresses who just expose are making waves today. Oh wait, I answered my own question. Of all the three "heroines", Nandana Sen hams, which is actuallya good thing compared to what the other two do, or rather, dont.
Illogical to a whole new level. An example.
Bullet count for Villains: 1000 fired, 500 point blank, 1 hit on the arm.
Bullet count for Prince: 10 fired, 0 point blank, 10 villains dead.
Audiences may enjoy mindless movies, but they are not mindless themselves. Enough said.
Pros:
Good concept and cinematography (hence the stars). The premise was perfectly palatable, after all this was meant to be an action thriller of the brainless kind (a genre I love). It had me interested until the first half ended as well. However the execution thereafter really lets it down to the point where it gets boring, which is the most important commandment broken in such affairs. Excellently shot though, the locales look beautiful and make for some positive diversion.
Direction: Mr. Kookie V. Gulati. Apparently he took his first name really seriously, because this movie is as kooky (boringly) as it gets. Technically adept and with potential, but what can be said if the music videos actually look better than the movie. About time that directors of such films realize the value of good content and performances. Here the content is undercooked and performances overdone for the mos part. Excellent cinematography and action concepts though. Given the current state of affairs, the movie will probably be a smash and he will bless us with another "gem" soon. Here's hoping that the next one is a bit more grounded and better-acted.
Performances:
Vivek Oberoi: Good actor, but needs a great director to make sure he performs. Unfortunately, Mr Kookie is not the best example of that, because all Oberoi is made to do is ham in an accent and try and be larger than life. He does adequately, however I feel this is more a case of a director ruining a performance that was required to (and could have) lift the movie.
Isaiah: Fits the part and does decently, but doesnt have enough meat in his role as a Bond villain knockoff (Metal hand et al). The Darth Vader meets Mogambo like character theme doesnt help matters either.
The rest have no role to speak of, although Sanjay Kapoor does all right. Like the viewer, he looks bemused half the time.
Conclusion:
Terrible waste. Don't get me wrong though. I loved Wanted, have enjoyed Rajni movies by the dozen and am a BIG comic buff. Camp and spoof are most fun to watch, but then its important that the intention of the makers should be such, and the final product be worth watching (The Recent Black Dynamite is a good example). What really gets me is movies trying to be intelligent & popcorn/campy and getting nowhere. Neither can one call them intelligent, nor can one truly enjoy the camp as the movie takes itself too seriously and tries too hard to be credible. This is where Prince goes wrong.
My rating: 2
It would be great to know if this review has gone wrong, so do leave your valuable comments.
Peace
Faraz
