Veer

Veer is no art-house flick and nor is it historically accurate. Its a historical drama with an entertainment capacity only. One cannot expect to watch this film and analyze it as being "poetry in motion" or groundbreaking.

Like most Salman Khan movies its a pure entertainer and quite paisa vasool in this regard. There are cringe worthy moments with the historical inaccuracies (would there really have been female "exchange students" in the era in question?)and following the interval the film loses some momentum. However whilst these flaws are present they are overshadowed by the stellar aspects of the film such as the impactful performances and melodious music.

Salman Khan is PHENOMENAL in and as Veer. During the course of the film one cannot separate him from Veer and never has he delivered such a consistent serious performance. His role is strong, powerful and intense which he meets all throughout the film, to the extent that one is able to overlook the films ludicrous historical inaccuracies.

Mithunda is another consistent and powerful performer in the film. He is a pleasure to watch and the audience will find themselves missing him in the portion of the film Veer is in England. All the other cast are strictly OK, understandable by the sheer strength and presence in the performances mentioned before. As far as Zarine Khan is concerned her role is undemanding,however her screen presence ought to be noted.

The films music alongside the awesome performances is another of it's assets. All the songs are beautiful and well placed in the film. Surprisingly none of the songs stick out like a sore thumb and really enhance the film.

What exactly happens post-interval is difficult to pinpoint, the plot slackens and it hits the viewer as it was preceded by the such an engrossing and speedy first half. However the film does quicken toward the end and the ending coupled with Salman and Mithunda's intensity and chemistry can almost make the viewer forget the preceding "shonkiness".

Veer is not the greatest film ever made, but it isn't the worst as one of its critics cited (comparing it to Tashan!). It is a mega entertainer, a great cinematic experience and perhaps one of Salman Khan's best performances.

I really liked the Salman Khan film "Veer", and actually was convinced the plot was quite original, until I learned as usual, it's yet another Bollywood version of an older English movie.

The 1962 "Taras Bulba", starring Yul Brynner and Tony Curtis, tells the same story (with less typical Hindi family drama of course) between the Cossacks and the Poles, taking place in the 16th century: "The Cossacks of Eastern Europe join the Poles to rid the Turks from the Steps of Europe. In return for their aid, the Poles agree to give control of the Steps to the Cossacks. After the battle, however, the Poles back out of their agreement and force the Cossacks into the hills. Taras Bulba, a Cossack Colonel, raises his son, Andrei Bulba to learn the ways of the Poles so he can one day defeat them in battle. In his learning process, however, Andrei falls in love with the daughter of a Polish Nobleman. This twist causes Andrei Bulba to choose between the love of the Cossacks, and the love of a woman, and causes Taras Bulba to choose between the love of his son, and the love of the Cossacks."

Veer written by Salman Khan is plain average. There are so many loopholes in the film's screenplay. Anil Sharma who directed the super hit Gadar delivers a flop this time. The music of this film is below average. The cinematography is good. The story of the film is nothing great. The promos made me excited.But unfortunately the movie turns to be a plunder. Performance wise-Salman Khan is excellent,amazing,dynamic as Veer.Watch out for his entry sequence or at the end during the swayamvar scene.He rocks.Mithun Da is very good.Sohail Khan irritates.Jackie Shroff is bland.Zarine Khan is no Katrina Kaif.She is okay.Neena Gupta is wasted.

On the whole Veer is sheer disappointment.

Where to start? I was going to watch a Salman Khan starrer, so naturally all my expectations were low. VERY low.

I've learned not to expect anything great from him. And, not to forget, I was going to watch a photocopy of my favourite actress, Katrina Kaif (favourite, mind you, for all reasons other than her acting!), which is really frustrating. This is the second time Salman is doing something like getting a carbon copy.

So, anyways, in one word, this movie is average. Very average. For more than one reason. It's a good entertainer, but all the super-bollywoody factors make me hate it, like flying (means a LOOOOOOONG jump), like breaking a sword with a bloody fist, etc, etc. Thank god for what happens in the end, though.

The direction is OK, doesn't feel stretched, but isn't that smooth either. The editing is flawed, but I'd give the cinematography a solid 8/10. Scenes are beautifully captured, no doubt. The 300-type CGI makes one want to puke, at times. The soundtrack... except the one song that I know people will like, it sucks.

And for the performances... Salman Khan's acting was... let's say... what it was supposed to be. Satisfying, nothing great. For others, it was fine. The newcomer Katrina Kaif-ish girl, though didn't have too many dialogues, was pretty OK.

And for the movie... I just LIKED one thing, which is the small twist in the end. As for the rest, it was OK. It is, after all, a love story, and nothing more. And when it comes to love, India has invented so many stories and I've seen so many that honestly, I'm bored. I mean, come on, what are they gonna do next, make films on capturing a terrorist, or a common cold? 6/10. Don't really go on my rating, I'm too critical. But go for it - it's a one-time-watch, and a sure-to-be-hit.

Veer is Salman Khans most ambitious project to date. No doubt about that, he has scripted the film, but that is exactly what the film suffers from, don't get me wrong, it isn't half bad for a man whos career lies is in acting. But its quite obvious that Salman viewed the Hollywood Epic "Troy" beforehand, most of the storyline is a rip off from it. 2 warring tribes? the heroine belonging to the enemy tribe? A fight between Veer and the heroines brother in which Veer wins? A tearful yet acceptable climax? All seems a bit too familiar to me.

Salman is very good in the film but he is looking his age, for the most part he does not have a six pack but more of a flab pack. Sohail Khan is ludicrous (in the bad sense), he tries hard to bring a sense of humour but fails miserably. Mithun pleasantly surprises, the fight between him and Salman is the highlight of the film. Jackie Shroff is bearable as is his on-screen daughter, the heroine and debutant, Zarine Khan.

However the film is in all honesty, too long, while being an adaptation of troy, it also has its own stroyline, but 2 and half hours is pushing it, the story could have been told in 2 hours max given the brief interlude from the songs (which are picturised very well).

The love story is a run-of-the-mill one, hero and heroine falls in love, then some melodrama (and in this case fighting and action), before a reunion, then an expected twist.

Action scenes, war scenes etc etc are underdone, the film is definitely an epic, but more in the bollywood "44 crore budget" sense, Veer lacks the granduer but Salman more than makes up for it.

Music is well used in the film, depicts the more grand style of times back then, but the party song, the name of which i cant remember is brilliant on screen. Cinematography is all in all very good.

Final Verdict: See it for Salman, but don't go expecting a huge bollywood epic, you'll be disappointed.