Race

'Race' belongs to the list of crappiest films of 2008. I've been told to avoid it for a long time and I really would have but I did not have much of a choice. With all those ridiculous stunts (some shown in pathetic slow motion), MTV music video style Hinglish song sequences, actors wearing little clothes, 'surprising' twists that make no sense etc, 'Race' tries to be cool but it has NO substance whatsoever. Abbas-Mustan can add this hack to their heap of trashy films. 'Race' also does a very miserable job of ripping off Roland Joffé's 'Goodbye Lover' (which already was a silly film). However, any 'new' input the director duo put in their version only make 'Race' more stupid. Saif Ali Khan and Akshaye Khanna are at their worst. While Khan hardly does anything other than wear a forced expression of looking serious, Khanna overacts. Bipasha Basu continues to prove that directors need to really really work hard (in this case they didn't) to make her act while Katrina Kaif is a lost case. I never understood the hype surrounding Kaif (though she does touch herself in 'Race'). For me her acting talents are non-existent and her looks are too plain. Sameera Reddy's bimbo act falls flat (but this may mostly be due to the poor dialogue she's given) and Anil Kapoor should have retired ages ago. There is no chemistry between any of the actors. They obviously did it just for the money. The songs contribute to the list of abysmal soundtracks of 2008. 'Race' is just another disgrace to Indian cinema.

Firstly take note that - Race is not a movie made for them those who power on the DVD player then insert the disc in it, and watch it till they feel asleep. This is made for them those who want to use their inner intelligence and sharp-brain to understand actually what is going on in between every roles. Don't rate this comment those who don't like Hindi thrillers.

I find it hard to believe even after fourth time watching Race that how Saif performed a deadly serious role as Ranvir Singh. In his first offer with director duo Abbas-Mustan he proved it great. So far his roles were mostly prepared for comedian purposes like in Hum Tum, Dil Chahta Hai or Salaam Namaste, but here he really proved that now he is matured as an actor by performing a serious, no nonsense and one-word guy's role.

Personally I like to watch movies made by Abbas-Mustan for their sense of making thrillers in Bollywood, and I cannot throw away Race apart from my mind. The story has some worth seeing twists which are surprisingly enjoyable. In funny and hilarious sections Akshaya and Anil own their credits. Although this is Akshaya's second negative character under the project of Abbas-Mustan after Humraaz, his role has enough importance in moving forward of the movie. Anil's role as a fruit-eater inspector Robert D' Costa (RD) makes a good sense of humour with his riddling but indicative words. For sometimes it is confusing whether RD is a negative or positive character, but it becomes clear only at the final ending part.

For the three glamor queens Sonia, Sophia and Mini (Bipasha, Katrina and Sameera), they have no much ability to handle the story since it is mainly controlled by the male leads, and focus goes on and on waiting to reveal the hidden truths. Ooops!!! after a long break from director duo, Johny Lever again appears in front of the camera for five minute, but with nothing special. Same is to Dilip Tahil who is the closest rival of Ranvir in horse racing business.

If we judge Race with proper sense there are bound to arise numerous goofs and faults in the whole set of the movie, anyway it's just made for entertainment. One most important goof I noticed is when Ranvir and Sophia goes to Capetown for some official purposes, but Rajiv also moves there and secretly attends an appointment in the marriage bureau along with Sophia (Katrina). But question is - does not Sonia (Bipasha) notice when Rajiv is not around her?

For Akshaya and Katrina's fans Race might be flop, while for Saif and Bipasha's fans it might be a super-hit. This is generally how a movie is rated by audiences. They don't like their favourite actors/actresses to get defeated in the climax, but if it happens so they will consider it worthless or super-flop. In truth a movie is considered successful mostly through the process of business profit --> large audiences = large earning. If you check weekly in the websites on the movie which is doing good businesses, it will be finally declared as hit, sometimes super-hit (or blockbuster) if the businesses run better than expected.

Finally, I like the movie only just due to Saif's new revival role of serious Ranvir Singh, and Akshaya Khanna's negative but interesting role as step brother Rajiv Singh.

This movie has twists that may/may not surprise you. But it is an Excellent Movie. It's got Excellent Production Value. Overall, a must see Bollywood flick. Won't reveal the story but it's worth watching at least once!!!

What works for Race is that you can never predict exactly whats gonna happen next. Just when you think, this could be the last twist in the tale, it surprises you with another twist. There is almost a twist in every reel!

Directors Abbas – Mastan deserve credit for their execution, they succeed in holding your attention throughout the movie. The direction is complimented by the screenplay although the impact would have been much better had the story been more convincing. With so many twists and turns, the viewer after a certain point could get confused as to whose with who. Also it gets a little tedious to sit through.

As far as the editing is concerned two songs can be easily chopped off for better impact. The music is brilliant, Pehli Nazar Mein stands out. Dialogues are superb. Cinematography brilliant!

My rating 8 out of 10...

Right from the start, this movie will hold you down. Frankly speaking, this movie's story is not that great, and you might have seen it earlier, with two brother fighting over money. But what is different is the way and manner of presentation. We have so many love stories, but every time it's the manner of presentation that makes movies great! Same is true for Race. Arguably the best movie of 2008. So many twists and turns, this makes for the best popcorn flick of 2008! I suggest you to watch it before the end of the year and make is count in the top movies! Katrina Kaif's acting skills have definitely improved, Bipasha is fine, Akshay Khanna is good but Saif's acting is the top notch point of this movie. He should go for more action movies...

A Must Watch! Go for it!

A nice movie by the promising duo. Another thriller that binds you till the end and where you don't know what is going to happen next. Acting performances of Anil Kapoor, Saif and Akshaye are all good, especially Anil Kapoor. He comes up with another good comic type role after Welcome. To see Johny Lever after such a long time was heartening. His 2 minute performance reminded of vintage Johny. And this film had something in it for the female leads as well. But I think that what the Indian directors need to learn is that the films can work even if you don't put songs in them. See Sarkar and Black. Alright this movie was not as intense as those two, but putting three songs while an investigation is going on in a thriller is a waste. That is why I rated this movie as 7 instead of 8. Overall a nice time pass movie which could be watched once.