Movie Review: 'Don 2' - Stylish, Sleek, Suave Shahrukh
Anitha S
Daijiworld Media Network - Entertainment
Rating: 3/5
Mangalore, Dec 24: We have seen him before, way back in 2006, and you almost want to believe that Don is real, and that the five-year experience between then and now has done him good. Well, that might sound nonsensical, but the bottomline is simply this - 'Don 2, The Chase Continues' is a much-improved version of its predecessor, which in turn was a remake of Big B's 1978 'Don'.
And when I say that, what I mean is Shahrukh Khan has made the character of Don look much more sinister and, if you will, even lovable, than in his previous venture. The 'Don' of 2006 made you compare him with Amitabh, here, you find yourself comparing the Shahrukh of 2011 and 2006, and it's heartening that the King does not let you down.
Plot
You will not find any story here. The entire film is about a major heist that Don is planning on a top Berlin Bank. But before that, we are giving a glimpse of the bad guy in super cool avatar, with long hair and unshaven face, enjoying a boat ride before hauling up 10 macho men single-handedly and blowing up a houseboat. That, in essence, sets the tone for the rest of the movie - a series of car chases, ending up, ofcourse, with explosions, machine guns going beserk in all directions, fast-paced fights, and even a leap from a 40-floor building, which is sadly unexciting.
So then, to get his plan into action, Don takes a roundabout way - he surrenders to the law, gets himself jailed, only to get his hands on Vardhan (Bomman Irani). Remember him? DeSilva alias Vardhan who has been in jail since 2006 (Yes, for five years, he says). The two join hands, sneak out of the jail with a plan that puts all prisoners in hospital (the Most Wanted criminal in jail is not under watch, mind you), and then the scene shifts to Europe. But Don being Don, his ideas are greater than a mere bank robbery - he wants to get his hands on the currency plates that print the notes. How he does that, and the various twists and turns, is too complicated to explain.
On the other hand is the Interpol and Malik's (Om Puri) team led by Roma (Priyanka Chopra), who's favourite action is slapping her forehead and saying 'damn it'. The robbery takes place right under their noses, and all they can do is get an army of police officers waiting patiently outside the building and obey Don's commands.
For sure, he is not your usual Don. There are no henchmen, no line of cars and no gang either. Being virtually a one-man army despite the international drug market he controls, he gets together a team to work with him. There's Sameer (Kunal Kapoor) the young hacker, and the vice-president of Berlin bank Diwan (Aly Khan) who is blackmailed into it. Plus a number of 'goras'. And not to forget, Don's arm candy Aysha (Lara Dutta) who doubles up as a moll.
Movie
The movie could have been more pacey. There are endless discussions between Don and his team, and the climax goes on forever. Just when you think it's over, something else comes up. Nothing to complain about cinematography, and the screen play is a tad bit confusing at times. You have no idea how a young inexperienced hacker gets all the intricate details about the security system in highly guarded bank, but then this is not a movie to break your head over little details. Background score is nothing special from the earlier one. Dialogues are witty in parts, but otherwise run-of-the-mill, with the quintessential 'Don ko Pakadna...' repeated every now and then.
Performances
The movie works because of Shahrukh Khan alone. He towers over everyone else, and his enigmatic presence and dashing looks coupled with some witty dialogues now and then create magic on screen. The eccentric kingpin has an uncanny knack of coming up with the most trivial replies in serious situations, (like when he says 'No autographs please' when he reveals himself to Diwan), which will make u chuckle. The movie may have glimpses of Hollywood clicks, especially MI4, but it would be injustice to write it off.
Priyanka Chopra is stylish and glamourous, but performance-wise nothing great. Boman Irani is at his usual self, but doesn't look menacing enough. Lara Dutta has little to do except looking good and smiling seductively, which she does nicely.
Verdict
'Don 2' is definitely worth a watch. It may not really thrill you, may not give you any edge-of-the seat moment either, but it will surely entertain you. Yes, the Don is back, and how!
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