Usually I don’t go to the movies with pre-set expectations depending on the star-cast or director or producer for that matter. This time I heard a few comments that Lakshya is Farhan Akhtar’s second movie after Dil Chahata Hain etc. It really didn’t set expectations very high for me. A brand new day/brand new movie. What I do mind though is extravagant promises made by the directors/actors about the film for the sake of promotion. It was shameful to watch Amitabh trying to promote Mrutyudata of Mehul ’Bakwas’ Kumar! This time Lakshya was though publicized greatly with ’Main Aisa Q hun song, wasn’t hyped like say LOC or some other movies (AAN -- The Untouchables? ==> My axx).
--------Overall Plot / The Story Telling------------
After watching this movie, I liked it, it was good, overall 3 out of 5. There was a great photography, well written dialogs & the cast that performed flawlessly. But somehow the movie lacked the soul (or so I thought). I didn’t get the purpose of the movie or rather ’Lakshya’ of making this movie. ’Journey of a young man’ & blah blah is all well & good but what about the journey of the movie itself. Somehow the army men do not come across as imposing as they should. One big exception is Amitabh. He tries to put some soul in the movie by his extra-ordinary expressions upon completion of the mission.
Also, didn’t like the way Hritik’s character is shown: Running away from Army, bears his father’s caustic comments ’Maine kaha tha na 4 din main bhag kar ayega’ but decides to go back after his girlfriend scolds him! Otherwise he wouldn’t have gone back? NA..! Can’t agree & also didn’t like the way it is shown.
The training is handled well but again nowhere near the levels as in Prahaar (Nana Patekar). Shouldn’t the new movies should learn from previous ones on a similar topic?
The first time Hrithik watches over the LOC & says ’Maine is tarah se kabhi socha nahi tha ke maini Hindustani hun’ also seems to be a lost opportunity. A very good concept went without impact it deserved due to the director. It just doesn’t strike a chord with the heart. It should have, right ??
--------War: Precursor; Overall Plot, Actual Presentation of the War---------
The actual plot of the war (The mission): Somehow I thought that the plan isn’t explained to the viewers very well. Amitabh (Col. Damle) goes over the plan etc but it doesn’t involve the viewers completely. It also doesn’t explain with assertive dialogs how imp is to take ’that’ particular place. Only at the end the 2/3 Pakis are shown talking to each other & when viewers come across the poonchh highway in front of them & hence the reason of importance. The movie shows the gracious Indian PM Atalji meeting very awkward looking Nawaj Sharif (actual footage) in order to set the tone..The two Indian spies see 4 insurgents (walking tall with heads down!) :) coming & pass on to the army etc.
It doesn’t involve viewers there too. Insurgency is not covered at all. Its political significance is also not explained..not that the director was not capable of but he didn’t choose to. An inert/hands-off approach has been displayed by the director here with respect to the event leading to the war. The movie also doesn’t show bonding of the army men from the same Unit. It is handled with a few jokes that they make with each other but doesn’t impress or lead viewers to believe that they (unit) are a one cohesive unit. They all rather come across as commandos than a infantry units. Did I miss something?
The movie doesn’t explain (even quickly) why Airplanes couldn’t be used to kill the bastxxds nor it gives idea about the weapons the insurgents had. It doesn’t mark the moment where Indians find out the insurgents being the Pak military officials. Daamle does criticize Pak not to accept their bodies & honor them as martyrs etc but it should have been the highlight of the movie.
The actual filming of the war though is benchmark for an Indian movie. Very well done. The last part of the movie when these guys climb the mountain is a highlight of the movie.
----------------Acting-----------------
Hrithik Roshan: 5 out of 5. Whatever he got, he made 100% out of it. The change from initial ’no-aim’ person. Juice pio, utho, movies dekho, aish karo to an actual determined army man is shown by him very well but again, the actual transition is not handled by the director well, rather there is no transition activity at all, he goes from point A to B without any journey!). Just getting scold by his girlfriend is enough for him! :-) His appearance in Main Aisa Q hun is COOL. Prob’ly the best dancers among of the heroes.
Bachchan The Boss: As I mentioned, he puts some soul in this otherwise hand-off approach movie. I might watch his movie twice for his acting. But, somehow I found his initial ’induction’ of Hrithik a little too ’’Sentimental’ for an army man than tough-talk with some feelings from Major? At least I thought so.
Others are so so exception is Boman Irani, public cheers when he makes appearance (Munna bhai effect?) & he doesn’t disappoint them. After Sanjeev Kumar he is going to the youngest ’Buddha’ of Hindi movie! :)
------Photography-------------------
After watching this movie I came to know why Kashmir is called the heaven on the mother earth! Pakis have almost made it the hell on earth after late 80s & stopped almost all the tourism to the place. I mean I would like to visit this place at least once in my lifetime. Whatever is shown in this movie, it looks just awesome! Three cheers for the GREAT work.
------Music/Song---------
Main aika q hun is very good & the rest are above average. The music overall is nothing to write home about. Mainaisa q hun has some amazing dance steps from Hritik. As I said prob’ly the best dancer inall the heroes (so called).
-------Conclusion-------
The reviews might come across as very negative & that the reason for this section. I highly recommend this movie. It is very good. I think everybody should watch it & all but I see it that it could have been much better as all the ingredients were there. Overall 3 out of 5. It is just that once someone messes a movie that deals with war/army, it makes me a little nervous. :)
Regards,
~Milind