Dabangg (2010) Reviews

• WARNING: This film is NOT for Pretentious Snobs!

  BornAndBred2010-09-17

  I don't normally bother to write any reviews for films I have watched. But after reading some of the reviews of imbeciles who CLEARLY missed the point of Dabangg, I felt compelled to add my two cents. Firstly, to all those people who are bashing Dabangg because it's action scenes are over the top, or it can't decide whether it's an action film/comedy/drama etc........here's a thought.....do you think maybe (just MAYBE) that was the whole point in the first place?? This is generally the problem with the nouveau Indian cinema goers of the multiplex era. They will happily watch Bruce Willis in Die Hard 4 bring down a helicopter with a taxi cab. They will applaud when Jason Statham drives a car off a bridge and lands it perfectly on to a moving truck in The Transporter. They will not bat an eyelid when Pierce Brosnan drives around in an invisible car in Die Another Day. Uma Thurman single handedly killing a hundred Chinese assassins with a sword in Kill Bill? "Sure, that can happen. And a very good movie from Tarantino" they might say. But GOD FORBID that any Indian movie has action scenes where the hero launches a guy in front of a speeding train and pulls him back just before the train smashes into him. "NOOOOOOO!!!!" they will scream. "That is so stupid!" they will say. "Where is the REALISM?" they will exclaim. A bunch of HYPOCRITES if you ask me! I mean honestly, any person who expects a serious and realistic action film after the first scene in Dabangg where the two main character's names are established as "Chulbul" and "Makkhi" (and after seeing the trailers of the film no less) is, quite frankly, a moron of the highest order. Dabangg is a film which doesn't take itself seriously for a single second (which already makes it FAR superior and a more honest effort than the over-hyped Ghajini that took itself ridiculously seriously while at the same time offering NOTHING new). It is what it is; a complete no-brainer masala film. And tell me, what is wrong with that? Reading some of the reviews here about how Dabangg is "taking the Hindi Film Industry backwards" you would think that other film industries all over the world just churn out serious films all the time. NEWSFLASH! They don't (as you can see from the list above). Then there are complaints about how some action scenes are copied from Western films (namely Salman's opening scene resembling Transporter), second NEWSFLASH! Hollywood copies A LOT of it's action scenes from Hong Kong and Chinese cinema all the time. But do you complain about that? Of course you don't. Because you are either ignorant or, as said before, hypocritical. As long as the scene is done well, who cares if it's copied from another film? Dabangg sets it's stall out very early on in the proceedings and it has a fabulous kitsch appeal to it. Salman Khan bites into his role with relish and he is clearly having a lot of fun playing Inspector Chulbul Pandey. This material in the hands of other actors might have gone down in flames, but Salman grabs the film by the scruff of it's neck and runs with it. Make no mistake about it, this film is a one-man show and, luckily for us, Salman carries it off with élan. He plays the role of Chulbul with just the right amount of self-mockery (the type of which Shahrukh Khan was aiming for in Om Shanti Om but failed miserably at). There are moans about how actors like Om Puri and Anupam Kher aren't given enough scope, but who cares? Like I said before, this film really doesn't require brilliant performances from secondary characters. Character development is not the agenda here. However, it has to be said that débutant Sonakshi Sinha does perform very well in her (smallish) role. Bottom line: if you are expecting an intelligent and realistic action thriller like any of the Jason Bourne series, then avoid Debangg at all costs. With that sort of mindset you are sure to be disappointed. BUT, if you are in the mood for an old fashioned masala movie in the mould of films such as Die Hard 4, Kung Fu Hustle and Desperado, then you are in for a treat. Just sit back, relax, accept the film for what it is (a pure popcorn and purposefully OTT flick) and let Salman Khan entertain you.

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• Crash Boom Bang... Dabangg!

  Peter_Young2011-02-05

  Abhinav Kashyap's Dabangg was a resounding success, and yet I did not want to watch it. But I ultimately did, and boy am I surprised. This is one typical action-drama-musical-romance Hindi masala movie, but once you start watching it, there's no way you can stop. It's silly, it's ridiculous, it's mad, it lacks a real storyline, but it's so much fun. The movie has great action sequences, fantastic music, an all-star cast, but more than anything it has Salman Khan, who totally delivers in a role that is a caricature of his own image. That's Chulbul Pandey hands down. He's carefree, he's corrupt, he's cruel, he's tough, he's cool, he's got a good heart, and he's dabangg (fearless). He practically encompasses everything that Salman Khan is known for, and the actor wonderfully displays this fun mixture on-screen to create a role he will definitely be remembered for. In many portions, Dabangg works because it's unintentionally hilarious, and the funniest thing about it lies in the fact that it was actually the intention, and that's what makes it so terribly entertaining. And then it has several moments of drama, and they somehow manage to work. In a few words, Dabangg is one of the rarest of it kind, and is one of the best bad movies of recent years. I recommend you to watch it once, and then watch it again, and again, and again...

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• Salman is way too bigger than movies he acts in.

  chugh-ashish2010-09-13

  Salman is way too bigger than movies he acts in. It's always about Salman in his movies. He loves to play almost himself and adds his superstar persona in every role he does and people love it and only he can dare it. The only true star of bollywood, rest others are moons, they need good story, good producer and blah blah blah. If you are expecting drama dose with some character artists working in preachy subject or based on a true story or inspired by some popular book, watch something else. This is strictly Bollywood entertainment and the king is entertainment is at his best. Salman is a corrupt but golden-hearted police officer in a small town of U.P. He dotes on his mother (Dimple) but hates his stepfather (Vinod Khanna) and stepbrother (Arbaaz Khan). He is at loggerheads with the local politician, Sonu Sood, who sets the two half brothers against one another. Sonakshi is Salman's love interest in the film. What's Good: Salman Khan's performance; the songs, particularly Munni badnaam huyi and Tere mast mast do nain; the action and stunts; the humour. What's Bad: Not bad, but the story offers absolutely no novelty. Verdict: Dabangg will rock at the box-office. A sureshot and a huge hit!

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• Dabangg is a disgrace to cinema

  cpverma_20002010-09-11

  This is probably one of the worst Salman Khan movies ever. The movie falls flat in all the departments. The only saving grace is the catchy music and a decent performance from the débutant lead actress. Rest of the actors merely seem to be going through the motions and veterans like Dimple Kapadia and Om Puri are totally wasted. The movie starts with a supposedly big bang action scene, which makes you laugh at the idiocy of the scene. That's the start of the decline for the movie and it never gains any pace or rhythm. The director seems to be confused about whether it's a comedy, thriller or a love story. It's cocktail of all the bollywood masala you can think of, gone horribly wrong. Unless you are die hard Salman Khan fan, expect a headache by the end of the movie.

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• Awesome movie... A great entertainer

  varun_lambo2010-09-14

  Before watching this film i had doubts about if i am wasting my money on it , but no . The movie is worth it . Very rare bollywood films are liked by me and this is one of them . From start to end its filled with entertainment and those who think it has only meaningless comedy , please refresh your mind and go watch it. Comedy is great and the best thing is its not just about comedy but about relationships . Never expected Arbaaz Khan to direct such a great film , Salman Khan's acting was awesome and as the title says was pretty DABANNG . Sonakshi , daughter of Shatrugan Sinha making her debut through this film . She looks very cute in the film , very lovable . She has a good future ahead OVERALL REVIEW : A must watch . Some of rare great bollywood films .

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