Chandni Chowk to China

This is a great movie for those who've had 6 beers (or an equivalent amount of alcohol), or for kids (and those similarly intellectually inclined) or those who are fans of the mindless timepass genre, where you leave your brains at home, land up for the movie and then giggle aimlessly for the next three hours.

All others, like me, will find this movie a disaster. And the sad thing is that they had an interesting premise – a Chinese village, suffering from a tyrant, finds out that they can be freed by an ancient warrior who has been reborn in India. But then its almost as if the 'brains' behind the film decided to see how much they could dumb it down, how much unnecessary slapstick & nautanki they could throw in, how complicated (actually that's too soft a word, convoluted is probably better) they could make the plot. How many films could they 'borrow' from – there are shades of Mr Natwarlal, Goldfinger and most old Hindi movies, with the whole twins separated at birth, amnesiac father et all. And in general, how far away from reality could they go… If it weren't for Akshay, who still comes through with at least his acting reputation intact, if not his judgement, the rating would be even lower. Deepika is OK, looks good as always. Most others, well actually I'm being unfair on the actors as they were probably doing what they were told. And the songs were in keeping with the rest of the film. Effects, scenery and cinematography is decent. Fight sequences are OK OK - again too far away from reality for me to enjoy, they've almost created a real-life version of Kungfu Panda.

I actually had high expectations from this one (because the premise was interesting) and maybe that's why I'm so disappointed. I laughed only once or twice throughout the film, most other times I was cringing, or holding my head in my hands. The audience was 50-50, a few walking out in the interval, despite having paid Rs 260 per ticket and some others laughing every time the director intended them to. They're actually planning a sequel to this, but despite being set in Africa, a herd of wildebeest couldn't drag me to that one

The curtains finally rose on the all hyped Chandni Chowk to China which released yesterday the 16Th January worldwide. CC2C is an movie with an sincere and desperate attempt to tickle the funny bone, but... it fails miserably. This movie Directed by Nikhil Advani goes impact less on the audience like his previous directorial venture Salaam-E-Ishq in 2005. Now at that point you can actually feel a lot better after watching Salaam-E-Ishq because of its music unlike CC2C whose music is pretty much ordinary. CC2C's protagonist Siddhu(Akshaye Kumar) is a petty vegetable cutter at a food stall at Chandni Chowk owned by Dada(Mithun Chakraborthy) who's more like a father figure to Siddhu, who was brought up by him after being abandoned as a baby . Siddhu is innocent yet dumb,desperate to earn money and become rich, attempts some really weird things right from buying Lottery Tickets to seeking the help of astrologers and Palm readers to try change his luck. Fortunately or Unfortunately for him, he's recognized as an reincarnated Chinese warrior and taken to China to fight for the people against Hojo (Gordon Liu). And how circumstances lead to one another transforming him into a fighter is something to watch out for. In this very country he comes across the twin sisters Sakhi and Suzy(Both played by Deepika Padukone) who have their own story recipe to be added into the already screwed up CC2C story dish.

2009 for Bollywood has definitely started off on a real bad note with CC2C totally disappointing the audience and not even living up to half the level of its expectations. CC2C is clearly dumb, illogical and funny is parts. What were the Sippy's Production House thinking when he approved of such a crap script from Nikhil Advani. After this movie, it really makes you wonder on the fact - did Nikhil Advani actually make KHNH. To top off such a bad movie is that "Warner Bros" are the distributors for this movie, that too first time in Bollywood. Don't think they'll come back again. For once, The promos of CC2C are far better than the full length movie. Music of the movie again going unnoticed and has a reason for it. Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, extremely disappointing music which is not even close to Rock On!!.

But you cannot really take this off from Akshaye Kumar, he's extremely hilarious but only in parts. And watching only these parts of the movie, you actually feel like sitting through the complete movie. Deepika Padukone does justice to her role completely,acting out well both as Sakhi and Suzy. What can an actor or an actress probably do.. when the script itself is filled with such flaws. Can't believe Shriram Raghavan has written the screenplay of CC2C after the movie like Jhonny Gaddar which was an absolute perfection in the screenplay section.

I heard Akshaye Kumar saying in one of his interview's- "Leave your brains at home when you come watch CC2C". After watching CC2C, i seriously wished "I should have left everything at home before watching, or even probably stayed back at home totally".

I'll go with 4 out of 10 for Nikhil Advani's CC2C. Ten Thumbs down for all the unnecessary hype.

If you take this film serious in any manner, you will not enjoy yourself. however, if you see this film for what it is: a Satire featuring every cliché x1000, you will laugh until your jaws hurt.

Chandi Chowk to China uses the simple formula of the heroes' journey as often used in comedy. The Protagonist playing the not to bright dreamer who, a la Don Quixote de la Mancha starts on a journey which he believes is full of adventure and heroism, while onlookers will only see a man duped by his own foolishness.

While not going into the story too much, you can rest assured that most clichés pass the revue, such as the long lost relative, Mr presumed dead but no body ever found (jee what would happen), and even, for your viewing pleasure an actual cliffhanger, just before the "break" to get your popcorn. (which I am sure plenty movie theatres do not feature, mine didn't.)

Eventually our protagonist gets wise, but not after the necessary painful experiences, and slapstick. now I'm not too great a fan of slapstick, but the manner in which it is preformed makes you laugh nonetheless.

The whole movie seems just an excuse for sheer entertainment, which you get in the form of very colourful and stylish scenes and surroundings, a great soundtrack accompanying 'fantasy' scenes in true musical style, and over the top martial arts scenes, which for once are choreographed well.

It is a lengthy movie, so if you chose to watch it makes sure to relax and take your time, use that break. mind at zero, and you will have a great time.

all in all it was a good film as it succeeds in what it attempts. it doesn't take itself seriously, and neither should you. although it has to be said, after a while you wonder where they draw the line, because it really is OVER the top. Great for kids and adults alike.

This is probably the first attempt at combining a kung-fu movie with a musical. Although it's a bizarre combination, it could actually work if done right, but this movie however fails in many ways. The plot was silly and incoherent, the melodrama and comedy was over-the-top, and the movie was too long to top it off.

However, I did find some of the comedy scenes quite hilarious and the action scenes were also quite good in an over-the-top kind of way (like "Kung-Fu Hustle"). I would have given this movie a lower score, but it does at least have a few saving graces in its action and comedy, and it can be quite enjoyable if one is willing to suspend all disbelief. However, I would only recommend this movie if you are a fan of both Bollywood musicals and Kung-Fu movies.

5/10

I just saw the movie and i was surprised to read the reviews here. I don't know what the problem was, when i go to the movies, i want to be entertained, and I was. Even though the story wasn't believable, even though the action sequence weren't realistic. If that is the standard nowadays, most of the movies made can go straight to the trashcan (Superhero movies, horrors etc.)

What did the movie have for me. Some really good laughs (hey, give me some candy and call me a kid, if the jokes were to childish), I love Akshay Kumar and his humor. A beautiful girl, Deepika Padukone and some nice action scenes. Nearing the end, I didn't like some of the emotional scenes.

If you liked movies like Namastey London, Bhool Bhulaiyaa and Singh Is Kinng then you'll like this one as well, and I encourage you to go and watch this one. If you are one of the other people who want a believable story, realistic action scenes, sophisticated humor etc. I suggest you don't watch movies at all!