Crakk: Jeetega... Toh Jiyegaa

"Crakk - Jeetegaa Toh Jiyegaa!" directed by Aditya Datt, attempts to deliver a sports action thriller centered around the high-stakes world of extreme sports competitions. Starring Vidyut Jammwal, Arjun Rampal, Nora Fatehi, and Amy Jackson, the film dives into the adrenaline-fueled realm of legal and illegal competitions, reminiscent of events organized by Red Bull and other extreme sports promoters.

The plot revolves around Siddhant Dixit, aka Siddhu (played by Vidyut Jammwal), an adrenaline junkie driven by the legacy of his elder brother who died in a past competition. Siddhu enters a high-stakes contest in Poland where 32 global contestants vie for an $80 million prize. Arjun Rampal's character, Dev, serves as the ring leader of "Maidaan," the sinister mastermind behind the game show and its underground betting and drug trade operations.

Arjun Rampal's portrayal of Dev stands out as a classic yet flawed antagonist. His performance is reminiscent of his role in "Ra. One," delivering a mix of charisma and menace. However, his efforts are sometimes undermined by the script, which fails to provide compelling dialogue for his character. Vidyut Jammwal excels in the action sequences, bringing his martial arts prowess to the screen with a natural ease. His portrayal of Siddhu during the high-octane sports scenes is commendable, but his performance falters in dialogue-heavy and emotional scenes. The attempt to portray him as a "Tappori" from Mumbai feels forced, lacking the authenticity needed to make the character believable.

Nora Fatehi's role as Alia, an influencer associated with the game show, is largely superficial. While her dance skills and screen presence add visual appeal, her acting falls short, raising questions about her suitability for the role. Amy Jackson, playing Polish cop Patricia Novak, fares slightly better, as her polylingual character suits her natural accent. However, her overall performance lacks the depth and confidence needed to fully engage the audience.

The film's story, while promising, suffers from weak dialogue and a lackluster supporting cast. The narrative struggles to maintain coherence and fails to deliver the emotional impact it aims for. The high-octane action sequences and extreme sports scenes are the film's saving grace, providing the thrills and excitement that fans of the genre crave. However, these elements alone cannot compensate for the film's broader shortcomings.

"Crakk - Jeetegaa Toh Jiyegaa!" is reminiscent of the 2009 movie "Luck," starring Imraan Khan and Sanjay Dutt, in its attempt to blend high-stakes competition with dramatic tension. Unfortunately, it doesn't quite achieve the same level of engagement. While the film may find an audience among action enthusiasts and could serve as a guilty pleasure for some, it ultimately falls short of its potential, offering a mix of exhilarating action and missed opportunities.

"To make a great film, you need three things - the script, the script, and the script," emphasized Alfred Hitchcock.

Unfortunately, the narrative of this particular movie fails to captivate. The characters are thinly sketched, lacking the depth necessary to truly resonate with the audience. Even the protagonist's motivations seem to lack authenticity, leaving viewers disconnected from the story.

To ensnare the audience's attention, Makers resorted to a bombardment of action, seemingly unaware of its incongruity with the tale at hand, employing it as a desperate lifeline to sustain intrigue.

In conclusion, Vidyut's open challenge to Tiger, who epitomizes the trend towards mindless action movies.

Review: Crackk (2024)

Crackk offers a rollercoaster of action-packed sequences, showcasing innovative concepts rarely seen in Bollywood. The camera work deserves applause for capturing the adrenaline-fueled moments with perfection. Among the four action sequences, the long-awaited showdown between Arjun and Vidyut in the climax stands out, delivering a thrilling experience.

However, the film isn't without its flaws. Vidyut's accent, haircut, and dressing style may be distracting, accompanied by subpar acting. Despite being a favorite, Amy Jackson's role falls flat, while Arjun Rampal shines with his usual brilliance in both acting prowess and looks. Bijoy Anand delivers commendable performance, but the repetitive ghostly appearances of Ankit Mohan become tiresome. Nora Fatehi's portrayal is average at best.

The first half of the film could have been tighter, enhancing the overall pacing and engagement. Nevertheless, Crackk remains a worthwhile watch primarily due to its high-octane action sequences. If you're a fan of adrenaline-pumping thrills, this movie won't disappoint.

Passey Reviews

'Crakk Jeetega... Toh Jiyegaa'- yes that's the complete name of the film, which sounds as offbeat and weird as the film itself. Some might say I was 'Crakk' enough to go watch it in the theatre!

The movie kicks off with Vidyut Jammwal expressing gratitude to his "Jammwalions" (fans) but, unfortunately, the film doesn't offer much to keep that support intact.

It lacks in every aspect and there's nothing extraordinary to offer- from the acting, storyline, screenplay to setting, cinematography, & background score. The music (apart from Vishal Mishra's Jeena Haraam) is forgettable, and even the director Aditya Datt ('Table No. 21' fame) fails to impress. It feels like they cooked up a recipe from 'Death Race' and 'Khatron Ke Khiladi' and sprinkled some 'Luck' vibes from 15 years ago. 'Luck' starring Imran Khan and Sanjay Dutt had ironically, also faced a similar fate, by getting no luck at the box office.

Arjun Rampal is decent, Vidyut does his action stunt & ripped body show thing (as always), but Amy Jackson and Nora Fatehi seem like they got lost on set and are a complete misfit with their horrendous acting and irritating accents. A well-executed dance number by Nora might have added some appeal, but that one didn't exist in the film.

The film tries to mix extreme sports with action, but it's like they forgot the recipe. It drags on for 156 minutes, and you might find yourself checking your watch. You may not want to watch the last song in the film either. The film isn't unbearable, but certainly can be missed in the theatre.

So, 'Crakk Jeetega... Toh Jiyegaa' isn't exactly the adrenaline-packed thrill ride you would hope for. Even if you're a die-hard Vidyut Jammwal fan, this one might not crack your movie favorites list.

This Movie Crakk Jeetega Toh Jiyega Is A Good Try To Make A Movie On Genre Of Squid Games Or Mad Max But It's A Good Try In This Genre If We Compare This Movie To A Indian Movies On This Genre Such As Ganpath And It's A Very Better Movie In Terms Of Action And Plot And Visual Effects But The Problem Is Performances Are Not That Much Good But If You Are A Action Fan Or Parkour Fan It Will Be Rememberable Watch For You And Vidyut Jamwal Was Not Good In This Movie If We Watch It From A Angle In Which We Will Watch That He Can Do Better But This Movie Is Good In Set Design But It Has A Messy Screenplay And It Deserves To Be A Hit Because Of This Movie Becomes A Hit Filmmakers Will Make More Movies On This Genre.