'Race 2' review:
cast: Saif Ali Khan, Anil Kapoor, John Abraham, Deepika Padukone, Jacqueline Fernandez, Ameesha Patel Director: Abbas Alibhai Burmawalla, Mastan Alibhai Burmawalla'Race 2' is the cinematic equivalent of a trashy novel. It never holds together as a sensible piece of work, but as an insensible piece of work, it's pretty enjoyable. Director-duo Abbas Mustan create a cocktail of glamorous stars, exotic foreign locations, slick action scenes, and an outrageous plot. At nearly two-and-a-half hours, the film is too long by at least 20 minutes, but I'll give this to Race 2: it's seldom boring.
Rating: 2.5 / 5
Never deviating too far from the blueprint of the 2008 film of which this is a sequel, Race 2 pits two suave conmen against each other in a tale of friendship, double-crossings, and revenge. Saif Ali Khan returns as Ranvir Singh, a loaded tycoon with an agenda. John Abraham, meanwhile, is Armaan Malik, a criminal kingpin forever exploiting opportunities to expand his empire.
Set in Turkey, our heroes are surrounded by fast cars and sexy women, and they get rich by swindling casinos, cheating at high-value card games, and stealing prized artifacts from museums. Anil Kapoor is back as RD, former cop and ravenous fruit-eater, and Amisha Patel has replaced Sameera Reddy as his new bimbo assistant, Cherry, whose very name lends itself to a slew of double meaning jokes.
The earlier film, Race, wasn't a particularly smart thriller, but packed with so many unexpected twists it kept you on your toes. The big reveals in Race 2, however, can be guessed from a mile away, robbing the film of any unpredictability whatsoever.
What it's lacking in originality, the film tries to make up for in sheer ambition. Abbas-Mustan don't skimp on any effort to deliver a fast-paced, stylish entertainer, even if much of it turns out to be a hoot. From crazy gizmos that would make James Bond's trusted ally Q turn a shade of green, to the sheer gratuitous skin show on display, Race 2 is a guilty pleasure all the way. Leading ladies Deepika Padukone and Jacqueline Fernandes sportingly show up to show off cleavage and leg, and John Abraham and Saif Ali Khan frequently strip down to their waists in an unapologetic buffet of beefcake.
And yet, compared to so many lazy blockbusters recently, Race 2 is skillfully made and sincerely performed. It's not a film you'll remember years from now, but you won't be moaning and groaning through it either. I'm going with two-and-a-half out of five for Abbas-Mustan's Race 2. The film has no intellectual pretentions; its only ambition is to offer a good time. In that, it mostly succeeds.
Abbas-Mustan have tried to live up to the expectations in 'Race 2' but they probably mistook over-stylisation for drama. The film is bound to appeal certain section of the audiences but there are some sequences which don't do anything other than raising the oomph level. Had these scenes been fine tuned, the film could have been sleeker and more logical. Spoilers ahead so proceed at your own risk.
5 Low Points
Catch them young: How many times do you see contract killers capturing their targets while they die! Ok, acceptable, but how the hell did the target know that he is being filmed?
Paper money: So, you are a big crook with a big heart and superlative courage, but what made you think that the biggest fraud of the game will let you go after gulping down a truck full of fake currency. The currency is not even fake but is just the paper. Unfortunately, the fraud lets the hero go.
Smile, you're on camera: John Abraham is a big man who likes to brag about his cheapness (How would you define 'kaminapan' otherwise). He keeps a tab on everyone including his half sister but forgets just at the right time that his business partner could have set-up a camera in his office as well, mind you in 'office' which was supposed to be the safest place in his villa.
The mean machine: There is a policeman who is not very valuable for the story as he has left his job, but the storytellers have kept him in the story just for the sake of one thing, one day he will pass on wrong information to the enemy of his friend. But then, he has got a new secretary and money is needed to keep her entertained. By the way, the new secretary looks really toned.
The international look: We can go international but the international don will be an Indian. His clothes can remind you of Count Dracula but thankfully he doesn't drink blood.
5 High Points
Aaj kuch toofani karte hain: Action sequences are a treat to watch in 'Race 2'. Daredevil actors jump from high cliffs and aircrafts but there is always a parachute at their disposal. It doesn't make any difference whether they are jumping with their cars or alone.
The girl with deep red lipstick: Deepika Padukone's character has been written satisfactorily. She has come up with a truly Indian version of femme fatale. She doesn't waste time and is aware of her market position. Trust me, she looks elegant even when she mouths downmarket phrases.
The lone warrior: Whatever you say about Saif Ali Khan, he remains the best available actor to play such a character in Hindi films. He is suave, charming and full of grit. Lately, he has started adding more bass to his voice and has stopped twitching his eyebrows. He is one of those Bollywood actors who are closest to Bond ishtyle persona.
Abbas-Mustan: They devised the idea of colourful cars much before Rohit Shetty. They are the chief force behind 'Race 2'. They have created glamorous premises and super-stylish characters to keep the audience hooked on to the screen. This is not their best but there are moments in the film which other directors would feel difficulty in recreating, the sword fight between Jacqueline and Saif is just one of them.
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