Considering the movie is one of the most wildely talked about and discussed one, I really didnt want to get into mould of a me too review. Again considering that the plot and story of the movie has been discussed thread bare, I dont think there is any sense in again discussing on story. But overall I must say the movie disappointed a lot for me.
Now before I go into why the movie disappointed, let me dwell on the positive points of the movie.
Technically the movie is outstanding like Mehra's previous work Aks.
Great cinematography, the jump between the sepia tones and normal color, the background music by A.R.Rehman.
Again the characterization is good, making the protagonists normal characters, some one with whom you can identify.
Rakesh Mehra needs to be commended for picking up a story that is a cut above the usual Bollywood candy floss love stories and NRI romances.
Some good scenes like the ones where Sue tries to pick out her characters, the banter between friends, the jokes.
Excellent performances from Atul Kulkarni as the fundamentalist. He pulled off a similar role in Hey Ram and I believe he is one of the most under rated actors. So also Kunal Kapoor impresses as the Muslim friend. He is a very good talent to watch out.
So what prevents this movie from achieving classic status?
Not all movies are perfect, in fact even movies rated as classics have had many flaws in them. But RDB has some very serious flaws, which prevent it from becomming a classic. Mind you I am not trying to nit pick, but these flaws are unpardonable in my view.
Totally wobbly second half: Mehra starts off brilliantly in the first half, establishing the relationships between the characters, their rivalry with Laxman, their gradual realization as they play the freedom fighter roles. But in a case of split personality, to me it seemed that the second half was either directed by Mehra's evil twin or maybe the director got into one of his bouts of self indulgence.
The movie's main aim is to show the characters transition from a carefree youth to a more responsible citizen. And this is where the movie lost it completely.
Let me give you the example of Ghulam. Now none can accuse Vikram Bhatt of being Francis Ford Coppola. And the movie itself is a rip off of On The Waterfront. But even in such a totally masaledar movie, the transformation of Sidhu the character, played by Aamir Khan, was depicted in a realistic way. His friend's murder, and his lady love's walking out on him, were depicted in a logical manner.
Or in another movie Lakshya, the hero, Karan's transformation was again depicted in a convincing manner.
But what you have here, is a totally illogical sequence of events. Their friend Madhavan, dies in an aircraft crash, and all of a sudden our heroes are transformed into gun toting vigilantes, they assasinate the Defence Minister, they hold a radio station to hostage, and voila they become heroes.
Seems straight out of the plot of a B Grade Bollywood potboiler. Such flights of fancy and illogical stuff, are acceptable in a movie whose sole aim is to entertain. But when you are trying to make a movie that is supposed to arouse the conscience of the youth, what you are sending out is a totally mis leading message.
System is bad-so pick up a Gun-go around shooting off every one-take a radio station hostage - become a hero.
No different at all from the numerous vigilante Bollywood movies we have seen in the 80's and 90's where the one man army hero went about bumping one off an all. I remember seeing a movie Inquilaab way back in the 80's when Amitabh Bachan gunned down an entire cabinet of ministers. Back then the movie, was criticized for it's escapist tone. RDB is no different on this score. So if this is what Rakesh Mehra means by a different movie, then hell I am Quentin Tarantino.
Ridiculous Climax: How many times have we seen some really good movies floundering badly at the climax? I for one cannot understand we keep boasting about so many years of film making and how we are the largest industry, blah, blah. So why is it that all our years of movie making, we can never come up with a proper climax. Here a bunch of college kids, and one 40 plus hero, trying to be a college student, take over a radio station, broadcast their intentions and are finally killed by Black Cat commandos. Black Cat commandos are meant to kill terrorists only, and not some kids, who are willing to surrender. If the movie wobbles around in the second half, like a plane hit by an air pocket, it crashlands badly in the climax.
Editing: Either there was no editor in this movie, or he was sleeping when the movie was being made. Editing is not just bad, its practically non existent in this movie. The first half goes on and on, about the characters, till you want to scream out, ''Come on get on with the movie, we know about these blokes''.
Aamir Khan: I know many Aamir Khan's fans would be angry with me over this. I myself am an Aamir Khan admirer too, but this is certainly not one of his best performance. Having watched far better performances from him in Sarfarosh, Ghulam, Akele Hum Akele Tum,Rangeela, Lagaan and yes even the disatrous The Rising, I must say this was a very disappointing performance. What he has done is simply a repeat extension of his role in Dil Chahta Hai. And when I watch an Aamir Khan movie, the thing I expect from his movie, is not a repeat of what he has done in earlier movies.
Honestly RDB is no better than the numerous one man army vigilante movies we have seen in the 80's and 90's. Only its technically more slicker, but we expected a far superior product.
