Dhoom:2

Let's cut to the chase and first get the basics done away with. Saw this movie today, and these are a few points that I feel should be answered first.

1. As a sequel to 'Dhoom,' is this movie better than the first one? Yes!

2. Is it worth watching? If you liked 'Dhoom,' this one is a must see!

3. Avoid it if you expect any drama, or food for intellectual thought. This is all about living life in the fast and furious lane.

Coming to the nittty-gritty of it… Before you watch this movie, spare a moment and find out why you want to watch this flick. If it's for the hype or the curiosity value the first offering delivered AND you liked the first one, then I highly recommend it, since it delivers more than you expected… Bike aficionados might be a bit disappointed as you will find only one bike chase sequence here… and if it reminds you of the one in MI-2, kindly take no offence. The director here is creative enough to come out with his own version.

D2 is a movie that revolves around mastermind thief 'A' (Hrithik) who makes robbery into art and has earned international acclaim for the same. Next on his list is to commit the crime in the city of Mumbai where he shall meet Inspector Jai (Abhishek) and his sidekick Ali (Uday) to foil all attempts. Now this is a criminal who like Val Kilmer in the… 'Saint'… keeps changing his appearance. So no one really knows how this chappy looks.

But our desi version of Tango (Jai) aided by Cash (Ali), are quick enough to understand his mindset and identify the next place in Mumbai this international artist-thief wants to add to his kitty.

Despite their best efforts which include Inspector SHOW (Bipasha- No pun intended) this thief manages to take home his prize. What follows next is a roller coaster ride of twists and turns which I better omit since it will steal the thunder of watching the movie. For real added incentive is our desi Catwoman (Aishwarya)

What works for D2 is slick editing, a better script than the first one, getting to watch Bipasha and Ash who look beautiful, especially in skimpy clothes which look great on them, exotic international locales (beaches / waterfalls included) And a Hrithik who carries the entire show to perfection. He suits the pace and style of this movie to the square inch and makes for some sizzling chemistry with Ash on screen for the first time. Hey! even the songs are quite foot-tapping.

Also watching Abby Baby and him sharing the same screen space in a few shots is awesome. As expected, Uday gets the best one-liners and carries on from where he left off in 'Dhoom.' Great cinematography that the movie showcases setting the tempo with its opening sequence of a running train (though the scene did bring back memories for the opening sequence to 'Bad Day at Black Rock -1955')

That the movie missed out on a 10/10 from me was only for the reason that though the heist sequences are quite innovative and the stunts quite good… they simply leave a lot of questions unanswered??? Rimi Sen purely serves the purpose of a hanger and is soon forgotten.

Rest of the cast is simply there… their characters float along, hardly given a chance for development. One walks out of the theatre only remembering it to be a movie about Hrithik and Ash supported by 'OTHERS.' Some of the scenes are simply hard to digest... since I have no intention to spoil your appetite my only hint goes for keeping a close eye on the first FEMALE :-)who comes on screen. That should give you a preview of how CORNY few of other scenes are likely to get.

But all said and done, a viewer should keep all that aside and watch this movie for its pure entertainment value.

So keep your analytical brain out of the equation and watch this movie to add some 'extra Dhoom' to a mundane day.

"Dhoom 2" starts with a scene that made my jaw drop and left me puzzling why director Sanjay Gadhvi isn't locked away in the Tower of London. Hrithik Roshan posing as the Queen? The mind boggles! This film is lightweight entertainment but it boasts one of the best looking cast I've ever seen and the visuals are gorgeous. Aishwarya Rai is delicious as bad girl Sunehiri and Bipasha Basu is delectable as twin sisters Shonali and Monali. Rimi Sen reprises her role as long-suffering wife of Abhishek Bachchan, Sweety.

Bachchan's Jai Dixit is not the most likable character but Uday Chopra is the perfect sidekick, bringing welcome comic relief to most scenes.

However, it's Hrithik Roshan who steals the show (no pun intended). Roshan is a great bad guy and the most interesting character in the film.

The dance sequences and songs are a lot of fun but the film could have been so much better had the script been more developed.

7 out of 10. Good but not great.

True there is nothing much in the movie except Hrithik and his special brand of charisma. But he alone makes the movie a little more than the usual claptrap entertainment. I personally feel he never looked better. His dance numbers are just perfect. Though there is little scope for acting in this flick, Hrithik does manage to give the character of Mr."A" a special flavor of his own. All the other characters are sort of sidelined. Pity, Abhishek Bachhan fades into obscurity beside Hrithik, both in looks and in performance. All in all, if you are a Hrithik fan this a must-see. If you are not, it is time to review your judgment.

Probably one of the rare instance where the successor is better than the predecessor. And yes, solely the credit should go Hritik Roshan for setting the screen ablaze with his electrifying presence. Truly he had added sheen to every frame he is present in. And yes, neatly providing hand-in-glove support is Aishwarya and in honesty the due credit should be given. The only disappointment is her performance which was "like" artificial, while on the other hand Hritik's perfection clearly left its mark.

Jr. B was completely overshadowed by Hritik. I guess Dhoom 2 was Hritik's payback for Main Prem Ki Deewani Hoon, and my my!!

Uday Chopra is good in the edited role. Anything more would have spoilt the feast. His pairing was akin to 48 Hours, Lethal Weapon and Rush Hour.

Bipasha's sole intention seemed to flaunt her figure which she succeeds. And the double-role was a pot-hole in the storyline.

Rimi Sen's character was simply loud and should have been left out (just like Eesha Deol). In fact they should have borrowed the franchise idea from Munnabhai.

Songs take a while to grow on you unlike the Dhoom where it was instant hit. Choreography deserves a special mention, and yes Vaibhavai Merchant proved she is second to none.

Action sequences are well done. Noteworthy are suspenseful interplay between Hritik and Aishwarya & Hritik and Jr. B. Some good writing there indeed and remind you of Tarantino in Kill Bill.

Indeed Dhoom had a great potential to churn it into a successful franchise sadly the politics it has run into mars the chances. Needless to say, if it were to go forward Dhoom II has definitely set the bar quite high.

First the comparison with Dhoom 1. It is repetitive in parts, especially because of the irritating Ali (Uday Chopra), who has outlived his utility in the first part. On the other hand, this has Hrithik and Ash, and is basically all about the duo! Abhishesk as Inspector Jai provides the continuity in the story, but this is Hrithik's film all the way. He packs in a great performance, looks awesome, fights, dances, cries, laughs and even kisses (yes, the infamous kiss!) all the way. Just watch this for him. Ash looks fabulous and puts in a great performance as well. The songs are a let down, except for the title number Dhoom machale. The story is good, however the ending is a let-down as compared with the first part. Don't listen to your pals who tell you that this is copied from numerous Hollywood movies. It's just that the intellectuals are jealous because Bollywood has finally managed to look as good as Hollywood!