Let me put out a disclaimer first up. Before catching the midnight show of Kick, I coincidentally watched Salman Khan's 1999 hit Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam on TV. This review may, therefore, be a little biased in favor of Khan, whom I absolutely adored in the aforementioned SLB film.
There is little doubt that there used to be a good Salman Khan, all throughout the 90s and at least through the first half of the first decade of the new millennium. And then, he was hit by a formula that worked - formula of remaking action-comedies from down south. The dividends gained were super rich, superstardom achieved in the process was almost Rajnikanth-like. It is in this context that Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and several other films of the 90s make you miss the real Salman Khan. Anyways, lets not take anything away from the new-age, muscle-flexing, bone-cracking, train-stopping bhaijaan who has now become a legend in his own right.
So, does Kick carry forward the new-found larger than life image of Salman Khan? Oh yes, it does and in fact goes the extra mile in mystifying the superhero Khan image who can do anything and everything possible on earth. Okay, not just on the earth but the entire universe. So, you have comic strips of the 'Kick Puttar' writing with both of his hands, working on a laptop upside down, riding a bicycle on rooftop railing, and doing much more that only possibly son of Jaadu can do.
Kick celebrates the legend, and the life and times of Salman Khan. Every single frame and scene of the film worships the superpowers of Khan without formally proclaiming him as God's messenger. All of this mad fixation and obsession with Khan would have made for a delightful cinema experience; after all we have whistled in the past for Chronicles of Bachchan and Rajnikanth; if only the makers of this film would have settled for a bit of method in their madness.
The writing and editing of the film is pedestrian, almost cringe-worthy. There are so many unanswered questions at the end of the film that you will not bother to remember them. And yes, you will wonder how can writers (Rajat Arora, Chetan Bhagat, Keith Gomes and Sajid Nadiadwala- who also happens to be the unworthy director) take your wisdom for granted and offer you such a substandard product in the age when every film is scrutinized with the precision of a hawk's eye. Also, in its zest of showing more and more of Bhaigiri the film is somewhat never-ending. It goes on and on without caring for your aching brain and back.
But nonetheless, in between the nearly three-hour long 'test of patience', there are some genuine moments of madness. Some scenes that make you realize that Salman is a born entertainer and if given an opportunity, he can actually make you laugh like a hyena. Special mention should be made for his hilarious yet effortless dance moves on 'Saat Samandar' and 'Party All Night'. There is also a scene where Salman lands up in jail and enacts a laugh riot with the inimitable Sanjay Mishra as the inspector-in-charge. But rest assured, these moments are rare and few, and you will need to really wait for them. And when these moments come, make sure you grab them with both your hands and feet.
There is no need for you to bother about the story, the plot or the climax, because there is hardly any. Randeep Hooda is efficient as the super cop, Jacqueline Fernandez looks pretty and gets substantial screen time, given that it is a Salman Khan film. Nawazuddin Siddiqui tries hard to come across as a menacing villain, but ends up tickling your funny bones instead.
All in all, Kick will give you a kick if you are ready to wait and have patience. And also, if you are ready to make the most of the 'moments of madness'.
Okay, at the end of the film, you will also wonder if you have adjusted your patience and acceptance levels (with regards to a Bollywood film) in the last few months/years. Or if now, you expect the least from Salman Khan these days. Go, take your Eidee and also think a little.
Rating: **1/2 (Average)
There is little doubt that there used to be a good Salman Khan, all throughout the 90s and at least through the first half of the first decade of the new millennium. And then, he was hit by a formula that worked - formula of remaking action-comedies from down south. The dividends gained were super rich, superstardom achieved in the process was almost Rajnikanth-like. It is in this context that Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and several other films of the 90s make you miss the real Salman Khan. Anyways, lets not take anything away from the new-age, muscle-flexing, bone-cracking, train-stopping bhaijaan who has now become a legend in his own right.
So, does Kick carry forward the new-found larger than life image of Salman Khan? Oh yes, it does and in fact goes the extra mile in mystifying the superhero Khan image who can do anything and everything possible on earth. Okay, not just on the earth but the entire universe. So, you have comic strips of the 'Kick Puttar' writing with both of his hands, working on a laptop upside down, riding a bicycle on rooftop railing, and doing much more that only possibly son of Jaadu can do.
Kick celebrates the legend, and the life and times of Salman Khan. Every single frame and scene of the film worships the superpowers of Khan without formally proclaiming him as God's messenger. All of this mad fixation and obsession with Khan would have made for a delightful cinema experience; after all we have whistled in the past for Chronicles of Bachchan and Rajnikanth; if only the makers of this film would have settled for a bit of method in their madness.
The writing and editing of the film is pedestrian, almost cringe-worthy. There are so many unanswered questions at the end of the film that you will not bother to remember them. And yes, you will wonder how can writers (Rajat Arora, Chetan Bhagat, Keith Gomes and Sajid Nadiadwala- who also happens to be the unworthy director) take your wisdom for granted and offer you such a substandard product in the age when every film is scrutinized with the precision of a hawk's eye. Also, in its zest of showing more and more of Bhaigiri the film is somewhat never-ending. It goes on and on without caring for your aching brain and back.
But nonetheless, in between the nearly three-hour long 'test of patience', there are some genuine moments of madness. Some scenes that make you realize that Salman is a born entertainer and if given an opportunity, he can actually make you laugh like a hyena. Special mention should be made for his hilarious yet effortless dance moves on 'Saat Samandar' and 'Party All Night'. There is also a scene where Salman lands up in jail and enacts a laugh riot with the inimitable Sanjay Mishra as the inspector-in-charge. But rest assured, these moments are rare and few, and you will need to really wait for them. And when these moments come, make sure you grab them with both your hands and feet.
There is no need for you to bother about the story, the plot or the climax, because there is hardly any. Randeep Hooda is efficient as the super cop, Jacqueline Fernandez looks pretty and gets substantial screen time, given that it is a Salman Khan film. Nawazuddin Siddiqui tries hard to come across as a menacing villain, but ends up tickling your funny bones instead.
All in all, Kick will give you a kick if you are ready to wait and have patience. And also, if you are ready to make the most of the 'moments of madness'.
Okay, at the end of the film, you will also wonder if you have adjusted your patience and acceptance levels (with regards to a Bollywood film) in the last few months/years. Or if now, you expect the least from Salman Khan these days. Go, take your Eidee and also think a little.
Rating: **1/2 (Average)
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