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Thursday, June 5, 2008

Race - of a lifetime? Who's life?




The suspense entertainer Race focuses on two rival brothers Ranvir (Saif Ali Khan) and Rajeev (Akshay Khanna). Older brother Ranvir is rich and owns the successful farm called the Stallions. Younger brother Rajeev is carefree and jealous of his older brother. He is in a relationship with Sonia (Bipasha Basu), a successful model. Despite the relationship with Rajeev, Sonia is in love with Ranvir as well. While Sophia, Ranvir's secretary is in love with Ravir. A tragic accident occurred and Robert D'Costa (Anil Kapoor) with assistant Mini (Sameera Reddy) investigates the case.

Race is second biggest hits of 2008, after Jodha Akbar. I've read mix reviews about Race. Some loved it because it's so different with lots of action. Move over Dhoom & Dhoom 2, Race is here. While the others absolutely hated it. Glamorous ladies. Good actors who fell flat. So what is my verdict?

I saw Race a few weeks ago. When I hear mix reviews, I watch the movie with zero expectations. I don't want others' opinionx of the film to influence mine. For example, when someone praises a film so much; you go in the movie expecting it to be really great but then you may find some flaws in the movie and not enjoy it as much. Or it could go the other way, so many people hated a film but then you ended up liking it. Sometimes it's best just to watch the movie without reading postive or negative feedback.

Of course many know I watched Race mainly because of my fave gal - Bipasha Basu. She is not the best actress or the most beautiful but I simply love and adore her! She, as a whole, with her gorgeous looks, humble personality, rocking body, and adventurous style makes me her number one fan. I feel that she has done better as an actress. However, to give her some credit besides looking stunning. If she does a Madhoshi or a Corporate, the audience still labels her as a sex icon. I think she's at a point in her career in which she doesn't care about looking for quality roles because of that reason. No matter what she decides I wish her the best and hope she does prove me wrong. Race isn't a movie to watch her in the acting area but it did add another super hit on her resume. Not to mention adding on to her hotness and sexy factor.

Saif Ali Khan - I'm not a huge fan of his but I do like him as an actor. I never realized I've seen so many of his movies. Saif fan girls - don't kill me but I don't find him sexy or hot. He is decent looking but that's about it. His acting has improved over the years; I give him props for that but other than that, he's good at what he does. Although Race doesn't add to the list of Saif's great acting abilities, it may be his biggest hit yet.

Akshaye Khanna - I don't run and watch any Akshu movies. He's a good actor, but I'm not a fan. I do think he's adorable. Most people have probably seen him as Sid in Dil Chahta Hai. Akshu looks a bit chubby in the film and he just looks bored in the movie.

Katrina Kaif - beautiful lady. However, more famous for being Salman Khan's girlfriend than her acting. She has a string of hits but none that really portrayed her great acting. I loved her in Namastey London and thought this girl isn't bad. In Race, she just needs to be replaced. Then again, almost anyone could've played her role. Casting a wonderful actress like Rani or Preity wouldn't matter, but actually hurt their career but then again, it could add on to their career just like Race did for Katrina. Kudos to Kat for being in hit movies even if they don't require her to really do anything.

Sameera Reddy - I like her. Most people don't because she hasn't been in any worthy films to remember her by. I love her look and think she's gorgeous. I haven't seen her Bengali film, Kalpurush but heard she was wonderful. I wish Bollywood would give her a chance to act instead of looking glamorous. A lot of people didn't like her bimboo character but I thought she did justice to her role. Don't hate on Sameera, hate her character Mini.

Anil Kapoor - awesome actor. Most people won't go rush and watch his films. I happen to be one of them but I do think he's a great actor. I've seen him mostly in a supporting cast lately. I'm glad! Better to see him in those roles than romancing an 18 year old heroine. Surprising Anil's acting was the best of the bunch from Race. Maybe because it was his funny character or his taste for fruits in the movie? Nevertheless, he was funny and worth a watch.

The music soundtrack is good. The only sad part is knowing two of the songs were "inspired" by other music. Nothing wrong with inspiration but give credit! The beautiful song 'Pehli Nazaar' is inspired by Korean song - 'Sarang hae yo' by Kim Hyung Sub. The catchy song 'Zara Zara Touch Me' is inspired by Chinese song - 'Deep within the Bamboo grove' (Zhu Lin Shen Chu) by Lee Hom Wang . ' Dekho Nashe Mein' makes you want to do dance. My only complaint is why all the goris in the background? The skimpy outfits don't bother me.

Bips looks great in the movie. Very sexy and lovely. However, her outfit for the wedding was soooo ugly!

So the following is the scene that got people starting rumors about John and Bips breaking up. During that time, Saif wasn't dating Kareena yet. I'm sure Saif was just a shoulder to lean on and people misinterpret everything. Was the scene hot? It was hot but not all that. Saif and Bips rolling in the hay, looking naked for several minutes with no kissing scenes. They remind me of wild animals fondling each other.

Anil and his famous fruits.


Overall I did enjoy the film despite negative comments I've been making. It wasn't that bad. I thought it was a lot of subplots but still found it entertaining and modern. At times, I was confused but the film was a good time pass. No master piece but it's okay, not all films can be Oscar worthy.

So why was this movie called Race? Well, there are horse racing and car racing. Or it could refer to the race of your life?

Regardless, worth a watch for even the negative comments people have been making. Is this a new genre in Bollywood after Dhoom and Dhoom 2? We'll just have to wait and see.

4 comments:

bollywooddeewana said...

I loved race and i couldn't bnelieve all the negative reviews this film got, each to their own i guess, i enjoyed every single twist and turn

Nicki said...

bollywooddeewana - I totally agree!! I looooved the twist and turns

Kaitlyn said...

I loved it!

The twists were so fun and made no sense and were sometimes a twist of a twist and I want to rewatch this.

I hope a sequel is made!

Akshaye and Kat didn't die in the sequel. And if they stay in South Africa (probably Afrikaan goris, hai na?) maybe they'll show BLACK PEOPLE.

Nicki said...

Kaitlyn - exactly! I loved the twist. Maybe too many people got confused and didn't enjoy it as much, hahaha.

But a lot of goris live in South Africa...so do a lot of Desi people, hehe