Nanban - The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

It is not the first time we had such remakes or rather as others say a successful or a faithful remake. Can't understand what is a faithful remake?? Well, basically there are two things here when it comes to remake. A very popular wholesome entertainer remake like Bommarilu, Pokkiri and a class movie remake just like A wednesday. It's quite obvious here that Shankar preferred the first which is quite a safe bet but a risky one as well because we all know what happened to Sholay. But to put it simple, what Shankar has done is what Raja had done in the past. I am not degrading Shankar here but the considering the films that he has done in the past, he is certainly capable of more than this copy paste thing. But in the end of the day, it's the quality of the final product matters to the audience. In that aspect, Shankar really had cherished.

The Original production '3 Idiots'. Well, first and foremost, 3 Idiots is not an EPIC movie. I would rather say this is an overrated movie. But that doesn't stop the entertainment the movie gave to us. It's a full fledged wholesome entertainer which as Shankar said in the audio release function, will entertain you for the whole 3 hours nonstop. It's quite hard to find out the boring scenes in 3 Idiots which will leave the director who is going to remake the movie unclear on whether or not to cut/remove any portion from the original product. It is also a good gesture that Shankar in the audio release function clearly given full credit to the original script writer of the movie and the outcome of Nanban should be credited to him and not him.

The Blondie

The actor Vijay. Probably the first time, I am using the term ACTOR adjacent to Vijay. With the stereo typed roles that Vijay was doing in the past and the mass that the actor carried from all his previous movies, I guess there isn't a single movie which has done without action sequences. It is indeed an appreciable fact that the actor leaving his mass fan following and gave his full liberal to the director for the movie. I hope this continues in his usual movies as well. The comparison is something you cannot stop and that too for a movie like 3 Idiots which I guess many would have seen. On that note, has Vijay given justice to Aamir? Hmmmm, I would say partially yes. Why partial? I can come in detail on the TUCO part in my review.

The director has not changed anything from the original production. Which is good as well as bad. Good for the people who have seen 3 Idiots (once or twice) will be satisfied that it is a genuine remake. It is very good for the people who haven't watched 3 Idiots and they will be satisfied to the core.

Jiiva, probably the one person, who has tried to be original instead of 'dittoing' his character from 3 Idiots. At nowhere in the movie, with his screen presence, he has given a slightest feel of Sharman Joshi. I would say he is the best cast in the character for Nanban without any doubt.

The Tuco

You enroll all good actors who are capable of doing more or rather have their own style brand. And when you ask them to succumb it becomes artificial to an extent. That's what happened to Vijay, Sathyan and even Sathyaraj. Before watching the movie, I was seeing reviews and comments that these three actors have given their best exceeding the expectations. But, honestly what I felt was they were asked to imitate from their respective characters in 3 Idiots. But I am not trying to say that they didn't do well, but they looked artificial in many scenes. Sathyaraj was pick of the lot where the way he tried to stress 'S' as 'issss' trying to imitate Boman Irani. Initially when he was introduce with the lecture lesson at the hostel, it sounded interesting but when it was moving along, it started a bit annoying. Same goes with Sathyan. His talents are left unused by many directors. This guy is actually capable giving stunning performances. He has done really well in this movie but just because the script is being ripped even he too had to render the same as his character counterpart in 3 Idiots. Had he given his standard way, I felt it would have been livelier and even more entertaining.

Vijay on the other hand, had tried to imitate Aamir Khan but didn't work as expected. We all know the character of Aamir and we all know the capability of Vijay especially in such character. He has given his best in Kushi which is more or less similar character. I am not trying to call the roles enacted by these actors are bad but I am trying to say that the movie would have been even more brisk and entertaining or rather a new look if they were asked to play their natural game.

The Angel Eyes

First character to spoil the sport is Ileana. PERIOD. The runner up is Srikanth. I wonder what made Shankar to pick this guy who is pretty important in the movie because he is the narrator. Basically, he lags in expression and he has got more screen presence where he has to express when he talks to his parents and in the climax. The way Maddy brought the feel is completely missing in Srikanth.

And comes the Legend 'Harris'. Be it his background score or his songs, at nowhere in the movie it synchronizes with the movie. Two of his songs were saved because of the picturization which are 'Asku Asku' and 'Heartiley Battery'.

Verdict

A neat remake of 3 Idiots. If you have not seen 3 Idiots, this movie is a perfect entertainer. If you have seen 3 Idiots (once), this movie is a good entertainer. If you have seen 3 Idiots many times, better to SKIP.

Unnai Pol Oruvan - Review

"A remake of 'A Wednesday'. 'A Wednesday' is a superb movie. Kamal is remaking this master piece into tamil. It was the best movie of the year 2008. Oscar winning performances from the leads Nasser and Kher. Two legends joining hands in a movie.

Excuse me! I have at last watched 'A Wednesday' last wednesday."

Before I get into my review, one should thank, the legend, Kamal Haasan for choosing this movie to remake when we are in a period of stealing (remaking) masala blockbusters from other region. With his star value, he needn't choose to remake this movie but still he did and I congratulate for the passion this man has for Cinema. But the same HERO image has also been a disadvantage for him to choose this movie but at least, a few bunch of audience are always ready to accept a neat movie from anyone and Kamal is no exception.

Often when you remake a movie, the audience who has seen both versions, tries to draw a comparison and sometimes the audience can skip the comparison as well. But 'A Wednesday's comparison cannot be skipped. Hats off to the Story man, Neeraj Pandey whose original product was so honest and reliable though it had an another version release. And I am no exception that, I cannot stop myself comparing between the two. Having said that, 'A Wednesday' is not a *GREAT* movie. It's just a *GOOD* movie. It's a NEAT movie. The whole movie was carried by some stunning performances from the lead characters Nasser and Kher which added flavour to the movie and of course the script, the main strength for the movie. Alright, it's not a place to review the original! Move ON!

Story
Remaking a suspense thriller is one big risk in the industry and none seemed to care for that. Well, yes, people who witnessed both, it's sheer a frame by frame makeover. But the actual story as such carries a great momentum to the movie thought it starts dull with no clue of what's going on. The twist in the story steals the movie completely away from the performances of the characters. Talking about the changes been made to the story, there are pros and cons. There isn't much change in the main plot of the movie but a few changes were made to the screenplay.

I am completely against the opening scene. Why on earth one would show a common man preparing explosives? I agree the star value of Kamal being the reason, but does it make any justice to the story's suspense? Another introduction is that of the journalist or rather the Televison news channel, telecasting Bush-Musharaf models was irritating. Though the intention behind the scene was to give a justified answer to the journalist being called for the HEADLINES of the DAY, highlighting her with this example, dragging the scene was in deed irritating. On the other hand, the original had the 'Electric Baba' episode which was again irritating, but it at least shows how these news channel earn TRP for their channel with such cheap shows. Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu's voice was one pathetic take. Adding to that is our Lakshmi, the Chief Secratariat. Especially the conversation that she will be having with Lal, the commissioner. Thought it was good only at some places, it was more irritating overall. Another good aspect was the names of the terrorists with an inclusion of an Hindu's name instead of having 4/4 Muslims. But again, the Hindu terrorist was a meare comedian when it comes to live or die situation and that's unlikely with the muslim terrorists.

Performances
Initially, after watching 'A Wednesday', I was seriously thinking if Lal could give a performance that was given by Kher. Lal showed his middle finger to me! One big minus he had was his accent when it comes to Tamil and English. But it was a good choice to make him as a native of Kerala who can be excused for his MTI. But this man has more screen presence in the movie just like the original version had. But there is a difference between Nasser and Kamal. Kamal being a popular artist let Lal steal the show and of course Lal did a great job. He was rough and tough as well as soft and jovial at places.

Kamal, who had one major portion of the picture in his hand had delivered it with his TOP NOTCH acting. Other than that piece, he did not have much scope to vent his talent but what was done by him was always perfect. But the so called *common man* picture which I saw very clearly in Nasserudin Shah, was not visible in Kamal. Thought this man had done minute corrections to that of a common man, I still cannot the see the clear picture. Though his body language tells him that he is just a common man, his star value overrides. Small corrections and additional gimmicks makes him NOT a common man. But isn't there a difference between Kamal and Nasseruddin Shah? The place where the ACTING between the two compete, Kamal steals it completely away from Nasser with his emotions and the non glycerine tears. Thought the short story that was rendered by Nasser had more connection and justification to what and why he does, Kamal's acting just makes the audience to AWWWWWE.

Another notable performance is Aarif, played by Ganesh. You must have seen this tall man with beard with a punjabi look in Abhiyum Naanum. It was a perfect casting for the character played by him. He has done a neat job and doesn't overreact being too discipline. The other cop has also shared a decent space and done his role perfect.

Dialogues
Dialogues though most of them are copied from the original version, it was Kamal who added the regional native to the dialogues tieing them with the incidents related to the native. Dialogues were more powerful especially during the major portion of the picture where Kamal had to speak about for 15 mins. It had some message being conveyed to the audience and it carried the pace and fire to make the audience realize what is what! Of course, it too had it's humour content as well. Lal has done a good job though some of them were little hard to accept the slang.

Shruti Haasan, she definitely needs some time to breathe before she touch any instrument and gives a name called BGM. Good that the movie did not give her a chance to do music. BGM was very bad in most of the places especially in scenes where a content based dialogues were rendered. She just mute the voice and turn on the karoke. She definitely needs time.

RED camera
It was quite funny and shocking that I forget RED camera was used throughout the movie and I got reminded because of the end credits. Well, I seriously didn't any difference in the camera except for some resolution change which is very much negligible change. But certainly it wasn't a bad show at all for the audience.

Direction
1) You have a Great Script. 2) You have India's best actors in front of you. 3) You have a DVD of the original version with you. Why the hell did you choose the third option?

Verdict 1 : For freshers, it can be a fantastic movie with a thrilling experience and some good performance.
Verdict 2 : For experienced, boys, you have Kamal Haasan and Mohan Lal. What else you do you need?

Kuruvi Kuruvi Kuruvi

More than Vijay fans, I expected a lot from Dharani. A dream combo, I should say, Vijay, Dharani, Trisha, Red Giant...so obvi one would expect a double bonanza as Gilli did.

An usual chasing story from Dharani, where Vijay fights the villians to discover his father and his fellowmen. Given such an ordinary script, Dharani can do wonder with his brilliance in screenplay because, Dhool and Gilli's story is another ordinary story but what the screenplay has done matters. Kuruvi, doesnt seem to have that so called racy screenplay from Dharani.
Initial half of the movie was just to attract the family and children. Main contributors for the first half are Vijay's comedy, vivek's comedy to an extent, Trisha's bubbliness and the opening song performance by Vijay. I should appreaciate the risk the actor has taken in performing such steps. Magnificant steps in the opening song. Good treat. However Happy New Year song may sound a visual treat just because of glamourus Trisha, I didnt like the song. So, upto interval there were not much story and just an usual kick go catchy direction for attraction.
"I still had confidence with Dharani" - I was telling this to my friend, who was not satisfied with the first half. But apparantly, the second half kicked off well, with musthi dialogues conversation between Vijay and Suman. But as it goes, the movie loses the power and distracts the audience attention. Unwanted stunts, irrelevant characters being introduced who just drags the story makes the audience itchy.
Aashish Vidhyarthi's performance is good in the second half. Thean thean thean song was good and pleasant to watch however Mozha mozhannu song was horrible but the set was looking attractive.
One big problem was that the story was easily predicatble. I heard people mumering what will happen next and getting vexed. The curiousity or the twist in the screenplay didnt happen.

Positives

Vijay is a big plus for the movie.
Trisha though she doesnt have scope in acting, she has done wat was given to her.
Aashish Vidhyarthi's performance is good.
BGM is really good, but I felt too loud in a few areas.
Songs are just ok, not a biggie.
Editing is smooth.
Violence is also good and neatly picturized with the help of BnW technique

Negatives
Stunts, exceptionally over rated stunts. I can understand it can attract children, but not necessarily you shud do a SPIDERMAN or SUPERMAN.
Screenplay in the second half, very much dragging.
No twist in the story.
Easily predictable.
Dont forget the director Dharani - The Captain of the movie.

Verdict : Purely for die hard fans!
Rate : 2/5