Ra One is easily the biggest movie of the year and thanks to the tremendous and well thought off marketing push by Red Chillies and Eros International, it has turned into an event film. Shahrukh's extremely high budgeted movie has launched a social game, a PS3 game, came out with graphic novels, merchandises, innumerable marketing tie ups, youtube tie up and the movie is going to be released in India in 3 languages simultaneously with more than 4000 prints all over the world. Can it get bigger than this? Well yes. The King of Bollywood - Shahrukh made the movie even bigger by pulling in Amitabh to do the narration and then did the impossible - he brought in Superstar Rajinikanth to act in a small scene. Well should we say more? The tickets vanished from the ticket counters in minutes and today is the judgement day. Can Ra.One mesmerize you? Can Ra One change the game? Can Ra.One take Indian film to the international level, something that Endhiran promised, but failed to do? The answer to all these questions is just around the corner ... And as the theatre starts getting dark and the screen in front brightens we expect nothing short of magic on screen.
And Magic it was. Ra.One shows reflections of several movies but it is mainly inspired by Terminator 2- Judgement Day. It has also taken few pointers from Iron Man(The core design), Astro Boy(the blue core red core), Endhiran(few shots) etc. And still, the film stands on its own merits which is the biggest plus for the movie and the director Anubhav Sinha.
Sekar Subramanium, a genius game developer's desperate attempt to impress his son leads him to create a game where the villain Ra.One is more powerful than the hero. At the same time, his company is working on a program to remove the wall that separates the virtual world from the real. Ra.One utilizes this program to come to life and all hell breaks loose!
He wants to kill the only person who has beaten him in the game. Who is this one man? Is it Shahrukh? Can Shahrukh vanquish the super villain? To know the answer you will have to wait for at least a week to see it in the theatres, if you haven't booked your tickets already.
The director did not have an impressive track record even though he has given 2 hits. But even those have got mainly average to bad reviews. After his last debacle ’Cash’ no one expected him to come out with a project of such magnitude, especially with Shahrukh Khan. But this time around, he has completely impressed with his direction. The movie is aimed at children and young adults while ensuring that even the elders can enjoy. So you will have to expect some kiddish scenes too.
The movie has no problem with the pacing as it is consistently fast. The Climax however could have been more impressive. The characterization of Ra.One could have been made more evil and terrorizing to heighten the tension and make the film gripping. The mystery as to what he would do next could have kept the audience at the edge of their seats. Ra.one’s ability to control human brain seemed too far fetched and could have been avoided.
Shahrukh does struggle with his Tamil, but is exceptional as Sekar and brilliant as G-One. His performance as a human and a virtual superhuman proves his prowess as an actor. Kareena has evolved wonderfully as an actor. She sizzles on screen especially in the world famous ‘Chhamak Chhallo’ track. She looks beautiful and delivers her role with élan showing how competent an actor she is. Armaan Verma is a delight to watch as Sekar’s kid. Arjun Rampal enters the scene in the second half and plays a menacing Ra.One quite well. The special appearances by Sanjay dutt and Priyanka Chopra are ok. The much talked about Chitti's (Rajnikant in Endhiran) appearance could have been much much better. However, Rajni’s appearance on screen received screams and cheering which reached maddening levels. The rest of the cast have little to do and they do impress.
Technically, Ra.One is by far India’s biggest and most expensive by the look of it. Cinematography by V. Manigandan is a feast to the eyes and the action swquences alone are shot by the legendry - Nicolo Pecorrini which has come out brilliantly. The animation and graphics compare to the best of Hollywood. The film actually leaves you wondering as to what is graphics and what is real. While it is good in the first half, the graphics is taken to an all new level in the second half. This film has clearly set a very high bar for computer graphics in Indian film Industry. The action sequences are impeccable. Whether it is the car chase sequence, G-One's introduction, Train sequence or the climax, the execution is of international level. Sabu Cyril's art direction should be lauded as the ace art director makes every single set picture perfect. Which is real? Which is a set? Which is graphics? You never know. Did you think the train involved in the pre-climax action scene was a real train? Well, think again. Music has already received rave reviews especially with 'Dil dara', Akon’s 'criminal' and 'chamak chalo' have caught on like wild fire. The picturisation elevates the song experience.
Overall it is s a paisa vasool. Take your kids and family for this event film and become a kid and enjoy the fun. Technically the movie does touch international standards but doesnt boast of an exceptional or unique storyline to impress international junta but its a Indian film which every Indian should be proud off. Expect every record in the record book re-written.
Verdict: Blockbuster of epic proportion
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