Race begins with a car accident and ends with one. A sheer thriller from start to finish Race doesn’t disappoint at all.

Race is the story of two borthers Ranvir(Saif Ali Khan) and Rajiv(Akshaye Khanna) who own a huge stud farm in Durban. Ranvir loves Sonia(Bipasha Basu), a model and Sofia(Katrina Kaif) is his secretary. For some reason Sonia and Rajiv get married. A conspiracy is hatched, a murder is committed and multiple plans are executed. RD(Anil Kapoor), an investigation officer enters at this point to see who cheated to win the race for life.

By and large 2 people deserve huge credit for this superb product. Shiraz Ahmed for writing such a story and Abbas-Mustan for executing it. Brilliant is not the word for the twists and turns(which by the way are plenty) in the plot which take the story ahead.

Owing to such a big cast not everyone get full potential but I’d say Saif and Akshaye are easily the best of the lot. More so because they are the principal characters around whom the story revolves. Saif is good in the bearded businessman character who is aggressive and at the same time very caring. Akshaye is tremendous in a role that is somewhat similar to the one in Humraaz. Akshaye tends to get underrated because he seldom does films but personally I feel he’s got a lot of potential. Bipasha Basu is not bad either in the ‘oomphy’ role given to her…one of a seductress and a trickster. Katrina Kaif was poor, she does not look her part at all….seriously could’ve been replaced by Priyanka Chopra…I think she would’ve suited the role better. Anil Kapoor enters only at the intermission stage. He brings in some comic relief to a plot that gets more and more grim every minute. Sameera Reddy is wasted. The film could’ve done without her easily.

Background score and cinematography are so good, they deserve a special mention. A lot of scenes in Race get you that ‘edge-of-the-seat’ thrill due to superior background music. The camera work in the opening sequence, the part where Saif falls, the race at the end are just amazing.

The best part of Race would be the climax…say the last 10 minutes or so. They’re so wonderfully executed, you can’t help but clap. 2 scenes worth watching…….the speeding Mercedes at the start and the big race near the end of the film.

But every good product has its share of issues…..so does Race…

1) Every song in the film(the only exception being Pehli Nazar Mein) is totally useless and not related to the plot. They simply slow down the pace of a good thriller. Pehli Nazar Mein carries the plot ahead and hence is logical in the narrative. The song with Katrina and Saif dancing on a stage is so unnecessary.

2) Lots of cinematic liberties have been taken to suit the story. Saif’s entry in the parking lot, the window through which Saif hears Akshaye’s phone conversation should be logically not facing that side of the wall according to the layout of the room, the fuel tanker bursting situation at the end…are examples of extreme cinematic liberty.

3) Saif and Akshaye’s relationship could’ve been explained better rather than pushing those unneeded songs in.

4) Last but not the least….most of the twists and turns are damn predictable. It’s a different thing that even though you see through them, they’re still good to see on screen(which is why Abbas-Mustan are fine directors). But every good thriller should have twists that NO ONE can expect….a fine example being the twists in Johnny Gaddaar. No comparions between the treatment of both films on celluloid….they’re very different.

Some final words would be GO, WATCH ‘RACE’ NOW. Its worth every bit of your time and money. A complete entertainer which is a good mix of style and substance!

Plot Revealed In The Review:	Not revealed
Best to watch with:	Friends
Movie Genre:	Thriller/Suspense
Best part in the movie:	Ending