Family: Ties of Blood

The story has been mentioned many a time and I agree with all the other comments.

In summary its a waste of 153 minutes and there is literally NOTHING worth watching this movie for.

Only the first 10-12 minutes are okay and that too because of the comic aspect of Akshay and the innocence of Bhumika.

My advice watch the first 10 minutes then read the reviews and watch Rang De Basanti again if you have to.

Rajkumar Santoshi should have made a comedy with Amitabh and Akshay rather than making this disaster !!

Family is a hugely entertaining example of Bollywood's ability to extract ideas from American movies and turn them into something distinctly Indian. The film deftly extracts elements from American action blockbusters and expertly blends them with the comedy, romance and music usually associated with Bollywood.

The film follows the lives of two very different families and examines the tragic consequences that arise when they accidentally become intertwined. Despite the fact that the film involves murder, kidnapping and various other tragedies, it somehow manages to remain remarkably upbeat.

A real highlight of the film is the cast. I have always thought that Amitabh Bachchan vaguely resembles Al Pacino and as the cruel gangster Viren Sahi, he gets an opportunity to do his best Pacino impression. Mr Bachchan makes a pretty hilarious gangster, looking vaguely ridiculous with blond highlights in his hair and a collection of suits that Liberace would find vulgar. While he may not be particularly convincing during the action sequences, Amitabh Bachchan comes into his own during the more dramatic moments and proves yet again that he is the most entertaining actor working in India today.

The ubiquitous Ashkay Kumar plays Shekhar, Viren Sahi's polar opposite. If Amitabh Bachchan is the Indian Al Pacino, then Ashkay Kumar is the Bollywood version of David Hasselhoff - an all singing and dancing entertainment train wreck. The scene in which Ashkay performs a hip hop number (complete with bling diamanté sunglasses) on the top of a temple has to be seen to be believed. Aryeman debuts as Shekhar's brother, Aryan. It's good to see that nepotism is alive and well in India as Aryeman also happens to be the producer's son. Surprisingly, Aryeman is an unexpectedly good actor and manages to be convincing in the film's most demanding role.

In addition to fabulous musical segments, which take place everywhere from the above mentioned temple to a porn site in cyberspace, Family also contains several memorable fight sequences and a couple of well constructed car chases. A scene in which Aryan abseils down a skyscraper before swinging through a glass window would make Michael Bay green with envy.

Bollywood films are not for everyone, the mixing of genres can be disconcerting and the long running times may seem unnecessary. However, if you are the mood to try something different, Family is a good place for western viewers to start.

Movies under the directorial reigns of Rajkumar Santoshi are always looked forward to. After "Khakee" the audience were expecting more from Big B-Santoshi combo. The expectations were to showcase different version of pent up anger from Big B. Even the looks and the promos set the expectations in the minds to expect something different which wasn't tried out by Big B yet. Akshay Kumar had scored a home-run with his latest back-to-back hits at the box-office, so again he was riding high. Bhumika Chawla was still carrying the "Tere Naam" tag to herself. It was a sure-shot winner from all sides.

Sadly what turned out finally was nothing but deprecated version of "Ghayal" only tweaked to make the producers son jump into the shoes of Sunny Deol. And yes Akshay Kumar donning the elder brother which was made memorable by Raj Babbar. Because Big B is tagged to the project, Amrish Puri's character is extended to add emotional quotient. Sorry, the audience ain't buying it.

Akshay Kumar's character surprisingly gets bumped mysteriously. Wonder if that was actually part of the script or production conflicts dictated it otherwise. No wonder his fan base cried foul.

Big B's role it appears to me was meant to be a natural transformation of an upright person relegated to the dark side. Sadly the writing is a big fault here, which otherwise could have showcased Amitabh skill donning a negative role.

Aryeman Ramsay, I would refuse to even comment on it.

Shernaz Patel was miscast opposite Big B.

I would certainly blame the Rajkumar Santoshi, Rajat Arora and Tigmanshu Dhulia for the failure of this product. It was a golden opportunity lost.

A movie made for contemporary audience. The masses get to see what they want to see. Action, comedy, drama and of course sensuous scenes as well. This is not exactly a movie that one would feel comfortable watching with entire family. It isn't for eyes of children. I had to fast forward quite a number of scenes.

If it is just entertainment you are looking for, then this movie has it all. The songs are catchy. A lavish production, I must add.

However, the message of the movie is not universal. It emphasizes on the idea of karma. That is, if you do good, you will get good. And if you do evil, you will get evil. The fruit of good deeds is good, while the fruit of evil is evil.

In real life, this is not always true. It is well-known that most people do not get justice in this world. While it is true that some evil people do meet with an evil end, there are many who escape. And then, there are many people who do good, and yet in return they meet with a sorry end.

If you don't care about the message, and all you want is an escape from worldly reality, this movie is an entertainer alright.

This was an original story. The star cast was good but the issue for people was the lead was a newcomer and was not appreciated by audiences the music was really good and all actors played their role well. It just thay fact is audience fail appreciate good story and look past the actors physical features. The story had all the important ingredients of revenge story and depiction of how actually bond is between younger and elder brothers in middle class families but it was just not good time for the movie. It was maybe just released little early then it's time because I cannot find any other reason for this movies failure.