Hotel Mumbai

For the true accounts of exactly what happened at Hotel Mumbai (and around the city) during the terrorist attacks, watch any one of the many documentaries available. This is just a fantasy version trying to mix "Die Hard" with "hotel Rwanda". It's bad. Of course, because it was marketed to American audiences they had to have an American protagonist who has to show an act of bravery...but not enough to actually result in anything, since that would prompt people to look him up and realize there were no Americans killed during the Hotel siege. And there has to be a "western" muslim to balance out the terrorists to show "see? They're not ALL like that!" And while this character was portrayed as a hot, rich Persian chick, the reality is she was a dumpy, old turk (and her husband); both atheists/secular who quickly pretended to be muslim (the woman put her sash around her head) to show the terrorists "look! don't kill us! We're one of you!!!!" and subsequently lived.

Yes, gang, the reality is far more horrible and there really were very few heroes or likeable characters at all...save the waiter and head chef portrayed who really did help many to safety. If you have nothing else to do (i.e. are on an airplane) then fine, watch it (that's how I saw it). But don't expect much.

Based on true events, Hotel Mumbai is not a polished Holywood flick that makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside, not while you're watching it and not after it's over.

The movie has a very gritty and real feel to it. The shooting is filmed in an almost first person view, with the screen shaking in all directions every time guns go off. It kind of makes you feel like you are there, right beside the shooters and helpless victims as the scenes unfold.

Hotel Mumbai does not have a central character or "hero" who saves the day. If you're expecting a shootem up action flick with a central character who kills all of the bad guys with guns blazing, do not watch this movie.

If you can stomach watching innocent people get killed in masse, along with a lot blood spweing everywhere, and you want to see what terror looks like in the first person, go watch this movie.

8.6/10 - One of the best thrillers of 2019.

No one should ever expect any movie about such a carnage to follow the actual events in real time. Estimates are that nearly 60 died at the train station (shown first in the movie) and more than 30 perished at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel. Although the train station event could have better represented in this film, the segue to the situation at the Taj was fairly seamless and leaves the viewer with little to ponder. What follows is nothing short of gripping, as ordinary people face extraordinary situations just to stay alive. The screenplay license taken by the film's makers shows in vivid (often horrendous) detail the scope of the attacks on innocent people by this group of terrorists. I don't think anyone who lived through this event can quarrel with the realism portrayed in the film, let alone the outcome. I found this movie to be fine cinema and I watched it twice before returning it to Red Box. I don't regret watching it a second time. Strongly recommended, but be prepared for a lot of blood and violence.

This movie is difficult to watch because of some of the terrible things that happen in the story but I can recommend it because the performances were strong and the pacing/storytelling captured the tension throughout. You will come out a little different after seeing this film. 👍

Sad to say, but this is a detailed & graphic reminder of what happens all too often when fanatics of one specific religion get together with hate in their heart and time to plan.

Whether it's a beach on Tunisia, or a concert in Manchester, or in Paris, or it's a western 5-star hotel in beautiful Bali, an upscale mall in Nairobi, attacks on festivals in Paris, Nice, Canada, America, Boston Marathon, San Bernadino, Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, 9-11 etc. This movie is a stark visual reminder of the power of evil and what fanatics of this particular religion are not only capable of, but continue to plan. Do not let your guard down.

I know natives in Sweden, Germany and France know what happens. It's not Buddhists or Christians or Hindus.