Cast: A whole lot of good actors
Writer & Director: Soham Shah
Soham Shah makes movies like Paris Hilton – Occasionally good to look at but full of crap. The torture of Kaal, though I watched it in 2005, was still fresh in my mind when I ventured into the theatre to watch Luck. Why did I go? Well, the promos seemed promising; there was Sanju Baba who is any day a better actor than John wooden Abraham and Vivek irritating Oberoi; and most of all I thought Soham would’ve grown as a Director in 4 years. Unfortunately, some things never change.
The opening sequence tells you what the movie is all about – Interesting premise with larger than life characters but let down by fudgy camera shots and tacky computer graphics. The movie starts of introducing the main characters and their LUCK. Moosa Bhai (Sanju) was extremely lucky to have survived a building collapse, floods and falls from high rises during his life and once he discovered this trait of his, he made fortunes playing by his luck. He then takes this game of Luck to a whole new level where people blessed with awesome luck will play games involving life and death while bidders would bid on each of them. Surviving this 20 day game would give the winners a chance to win the jackpot but it would also make a lot of money for the betting syndicate run by Moosa Bhai.
The characters are equally interesting – Ram Mehra (Imran Khan) – a bank employee who’s in big trouble but extremely lucky though he doesn’t know it yet; Major Jawar Pratap (Mithun) – who has been in numerous wars but has never been shot once; Shortcut (Chitrashi Rawat ‘Bhains ki punch’ fame of Chak De) who’s a camel jockey and has never lost a race; Raghav (Ravi Kishan) who was the first person who escaped death sentence because of a faulty noose; and Ayesha (Shruti Hassan) who had won the first jackpot and has returned for the second season of the game.
But that’s where the fun and thrill ends. First of all, the movie takes awfully long to introduce each of the characters with major screen time given to Imran Khan (which sort of tells you that he’s gonna win at the end). Finally when the game is set to begin, you see a number of faces from other countries but none of them is a character. They are just plain sideys who are there only for a minute or two. It would have been really thrilling to get a few unknown foreign faces involved in the act here. In the first game, there is a Pushto speaking actor who has a dialogue and it seems, the movie might get interesting with all these other characters but alas, he lasts only for 2 minutes. Then onwards, the movie becomes horribly predictable as far as the storyline goes. But one thing you can never predict is – How dim is the director gonna get?
In the middle of all this, there is time to sing a few songs, sit around a camp fire, go fishing at beautiful locations, fall in love, the bad guy attempting a rape but the hero appearing at the right time, everything that you would otherwise see in a typical stupid Hindi movie, and the funny part is all of this is without a purpose – it doesn’t take the story forward at all. All of this could’ve been edited without losing the story. When that is possible, it means there is something seriously wrong with the script.
And just when you are waiting for the movie to end, Soham takes ‘stupid’ to a whole new level. The final game is set which is basically an action sequence on top of a train, good guys vs. bad guys, and which has got nothing to do with LUCK. To top it off, the execution is horrendous, a lot of new sideys enter the game just like that, Ravi-Kishan goes on a video game rampage, firing bullets with a weird face, Imran Khan runs dodging bullets which were anyways being fired somewhere else, land mines which explode minutes later behind him and sword yielding Kung fu fighters who just fall and die once he looks at them.
Shruti Hassan definitely has her mom’s good looks but is far from her dad’s acting talent. The other actors are good in what they do but they are sadly let down by a paralyzed script. And yes, there is Mithun da reliving his ‘Koi Shak’ days.
I went to the movie with expectations of amazing stunts but was hugely disappointed. People diving from the sky look like they’re standing in their balcony leaning down. Imran Khan said in an interview that they had to do a Scuba diver’s course but I’m wondering where did he Scuba dive in the movie. There’s a tacky stunt where they’re under water for 30 seconds and then they show whales sharks (edited, thanks Anon) following them in a different shot. Where the whales sharks appear with the actors, it clearly seems like a computer generated graphic, but there was no scuba equipment, not even a diving suit, what was he talking about? It is really frustrating when actors and directors underestimate audiences expecting them to lap up whatever crap they dish out.
Movies like Luck, Tashan, Tasveer etc. are becoming part of a disturbing trend where a nice subject is reduced to an unwatchable torture. The songs are good, catchy tunes, the title track has Sanjay Dutt dancing in the middle of a few women with a huge belly but nevertheless, the entire package looks good. This along with the initial hour or so of the movie is good. But that’s about it. After building momentum in the first half, the second half is nothing but all masala clichés loosely put together all with cheap video game effects. Disappointing mainly because, being someone who knows how Luck behaves (I’ve tried a lot from cards, cricket, matka etc.) there was definitely an engaging story to be told here. Though not entirely original (premises have been borrowed from ‘The Running Man’ and ‘The Condemned’ but still, it was given a nice twist bringing in the Luck factor. In a movie about gambling, there isn’t a single scene where you feel the rush of betting and winning or losing big money (except maybe a short lighter sequence which is Ok). I wonder who allows Soham Shah to write and then direct such crap. Where is Rajkumar Santhoshi?
Thanks for saving my 30 bucks!!!
Ok. You do make the movie sound really awful, but somehow I'm kind intrigued for reasons I cannot explain.
Its another Yuck after New York, KI, Kal Kissne Dekha.. More n more yucks are coming.
And this is supposedly remake of The Condemned. How the hell Soham can touch that? He has committed a crime for which he shall never be forgiven.
Well honestly, I've been so out of touch with the movies that are being released, and watched/not watched, that I'm almost grateful that I got to know about one more movie!
Reading your review, I felt you're sore about the rape scene that got started, but didn't get finished, is it?
lol@hanging from the balcony. These people should stop making action movies. But actually, I don't mind as long as I don't go and watch one. 😛 I trust you with forewarning me, if something's got a potential to affect my mental length<—- see, how I've left a dangling line for you to hang on and return with a witty retort! 😉 I know I'm a nice person. 😀
Funny post!
TC.
Phew finall the page opened at home… may be the cookies at office need refreshing… !!
phew… the promo's were really attractive… and normally the movies normally peter down… bah…
thanks for saving money dude…
*some movie's got potential to affect my mental health
Rakesh! u saved me money! i was contemplating over this movie….now i have chucked the thought 😀
lovely review!!
so probably ur review is more paisa vasool that the movie itself…
but ur review is free!!! hahahahhaah
*crafty laughs at own joke while rakesh is looking at the ceiling rolling his eyes*
😀
There are some movies which screech FLOP just from promos and as expected LUCK qualifies for that.
Imran Khan, the skinny lad is trying too hard to bring angry hero image and fails every time. It is better he sticks to cute boy roles and grow up a little and then try macho roles. Shruti Hassan has her Dad's features and mom's facial structure. She could improve a bit in her dressing though if she really wants to be an actor.
I didn't read the review nor am I going to watch it.
I SO agree with the first para of Ketan's comment. The other day someone asked me whether I wanted to go see Luck, and I was like WTF is that. In hindsight, thank god I did not go and see it.
Nice review of the seemingly pathetic film btw.
Who's daughter is Shruti? Nice looking chick.
I dun watch much movies these days, unless Im compelled to 🙂
hey come n play a game in my blog!
Keshi.
@Masood: Send me half of those 😛
@TS: Intriguing??? Was it the mention of Paris Hilton?
@Vee: Yeah, watching a movie in the theatre has become a scary experience these days. Let's hope Kaminey lives up.
@Ketan: I used to be upset about that when I was a kid 😛 And you don't need to worry, these movies are no match for a screwed up brain 😀
@Dhiren: Send me half of that savings dude!
@Crafty: You too – send me half of that savings!
@Solilo: Yeah, I dunno who told him he's an action hero – And he's got a tattoo on his neck to go with the image…
@Reb: What are you so engrossed in?
@Keshi: She is Kamal Hassan and Sarika's daughter. Kamal Hassan is a great actor in South Indian and Hindi films. Coming over once I think of interesting answers 😛
Rakesh!
U r hereby my new best friend!!!!
why? According to this:
http://thesongoflife.wordpress.com/2009/07/30/reliving-the-alphabet-days/#comment-3345
Rakesh,
You meant a screwed up brain or a fertile imagination?
Thinking of screwing up, fertility, and the title of the movie made me wonder, it could've done much better at the box-office, had they used one of the rhyming words instead of LUCK!
But that'd have required them to literally have a ground-breaking script. And their caption could've been–'A complete entertainer for (starting) the family'.
Rakesh, by now you must be convinced, whenever you decide to make a movie, who to take as your ghost-director, ghost-script writer, ghost-playback singer, ghost-financer (<—-not me!), and if a horror movie, ghost-ghost, right?
All the best! 😉
Not engrossed in anything. Just that I am not a movie buff. I watch a movie only if it has been certified as a super hit.
Btw, some of my friends said that Luck is really good, and it is almost at par with Gundaa (don't know whether you have seen Gundaa or not).
Thank you for the review! 🙂
will not watch the movie now.. was actually thinking of watching it.
LOL @ "Occasionally good to look at but full of crap."
Shruthi Hassan is not very impressive…
@Crafty: I'm honoured cute lil bundle… 🙂
@Ketan: No, the rhyming word is what you keep saying while watching the movie 😛 Yeah sure, then me and the ghost can watch it all alone in the theatre 🙂
@Reb: No haven't seen Gundaa but saw a reference to it in GB's Luck review.
@Pixie: I've saved so much money through this review… But I'm not getting any of it 😦 Btw, I do like Paris Hilton 😛
Err.. you do?
You Like Paris Hilton.
Why?
😀 😀 😀
*pixie can't believe she actually knows someone who likes Paris Hilton!*
@Pixie: You never knew anyone who spoke Sindhi… and you never knew anyone who liked Paris Hilton! You gotta get out more girl 😛
Ahem… I like her for her acting talent!
*Rakesh hides Paris Hilton's famous home DVD*
Whales…..or Sharks…?
LOVE AAJ KAL is no different..I wonder y ppl r raving abt it..tho the film isn't tht bad as LUCK appears to b 😛
Saif is truly adorable waise 🙂 vry classy and vry hot 🙂
Neetu Singh deserves a special mention..She is aging so so gracefully..
Deepika sucks..I can't bear to see her onscreen!!!
It's hard to believe tht Imtiaz Ali directed the film..After SOCHA NA THA and JAB WE MET, expectations naturally build up
PS: I ended up reviewing LOVE AAJ KAL :PP
@Anon: Wow, how could I make that mistake! Thanks 🙂 Makes me look really stupid now.
@Swats: Seriously I can never understand what is the fuss about Deepika. And Saif – Hot? That is new! I think he's good, classy but HOT, never heard any girl call him that before.
I just can't believe you can be so humble….and can say words like stupid for you…(sharky comment was frm me)
@Anon: Stupid – How can I deny the truth 😛 *I've now got a Halo around my head* Thanks Shi.
am sure….Wowzio or Feedjit or whatever it is helped you to recognize me….anyways…it was genuine effort to correct a mistake…not sarcastic one.
What are you saying.. So many of us think Saif is HOT 🙂
And I forget to add- ur kid is tooooooooo cute..Very very adorable :)) I hope I find someone as cute 😛
LOLZ!!
I went ahead and asked another friend of mine and he said he likes her as well!!
I can't believe there are so many people out there who like Paris Hilton!!!!!!
And yea, I need to get out and know more people!!
Which is why I am a regular here as well!!! 😉
Happy Friendship Day! 🙂
@Shi: 🙂 I know it was genuine!
@Swats: He's actually just like his dad 😛
@Pixie: See – I told you so… Glad to have you here! Happy Friendship Day to you too 🙂
I thought so. I know Kamal Hassan very well – I mean I like him as an actor 🙂 He's my fav South Indian actor (from the olden days) and I love the way he dances (classical I mean). He's a very talented guy.
Keshi.
I love the header pic…it's beautiful. I can see you are putting your Nikon to good use 🙂 As for mindless movies, no more patience to watch them. So this review just makes the conviction not to watch even stronger! I donno why i'm hooked on animation movies these days…i watched 7 in a row on friday!!
"Soham Shah makes movies like Paris Hilton – Occasionally good to look at but full of crap."
Ha ha ha….very true.
I didn't even want to see this film…and you've made me feel better about my choice. But I was stupid enough to go watch Love Aaj Kal.
Cheers,
Quirky Indian
@Keshi: Ya, that's what I was wondering, I was sure you'd know who Kamal Hassan is and Shruti Hassan would be obvious.
@Mixedbrew: Feeling Young again eh? 🙂 7 in a row. I can't really stand them except maybe if they're as good as Ratatouille…
@Quirky: Both of us have been at the receiving end of utter crap… Something is horribly wrong with our film industry these days.
ok there's a less 'boring' post now 🙂 come n take part if u'd LIKE to.
Keshi.
Ghee… i didn't know that the movie is made by the same guy who came with torture called 'Kaal' 😛
Sigh ! but to late now… already did the mistake of watching the movie and now i cursing myself for spending so much time and money on it. I was hoping it to be a good movie coz Imran is suppose to be very choosy about the stories and stuff. Though I still think that the story line was good… but as you said ..they spent too much time on introducing the character and no real thriller fun in the movie ..all thanks to tacky graphical effects.
*crafty comes running in search of Rakesh, spilling coffee on floor*
rakesh???
*somewhere rakesh is trying to drown recurring hiccups with bucket full water*
tee hee…coffee zyada ho gaya, par rakesh kahan kho gaya???
me got lil free from work, thot i'll spam…..
😀 😛
hugs!!!
@Keshi: C'mmon, you know that was a joke 🙂
@Here I Am: Welcome, Yeah, we both suffered it…
@Crafty: That's wha..hic…t I was wondering.. hic, who's remembering me on my weekend!!!
There are some movies which screech FLOP just from promos and as expected LUCK qualifies for that.
Promos were just too hmmm… 'not there 'you know..so didnt bother to go at all.
seems it wasa good decision:)
your review is more interesting and entertaining than the movie I bet!:D
what in god's name is happening to the movie industry? :O
oh! and yes thank you for the paisa bachao plan!! :D:P
ha ha !! Thanks for the review =)
Indy: Seriously, what's happening? And send me some of that money now, c'mmon…
@Esther: Welcome! and Thanks for reading 🙂
Thanks for giving a boring sounding movie an interestingly scathing review 🙂
I can't stand Sanju Baba anyway, but was curious about Shruti Hasan… you make the movie sound so irritating, I am glad I didn't watch it in the little time we had between the end of the Bollywood strike and the Swine Flu (all multiplexes, schools etc have been closed now)… :
@IHM: Yeah, it was actually irritating