25 reviews
What can a father, who is filthy rich, do if his daughter, who he hasn't seen for eight years and then one day he finds out that she's been kidnapped? Simple! Try and find out where she's been held and by who and try and find out the ransom amount and pay. But no, its not that simple as it involves someone who is out take revenge.
Imran Khan has definitely grown up from his first movie and to match his character, he has done workout in the Gym and has shown it. He is the saving grace for this film and has matured. The same cannot be said for "Munnabhai," Sanjay Dutt no doubt in my mind that he is a good actor but he could have performed better. He has played the role of a father before in "Pitaah," but playing the role of a teenager's father could have taken it to stronger position but never the less, not a bad attempt. Rahul Dev, in the meantime, has done a good job of his role in helping the helpless father.
Actresses nowadays can stoop to any length in a film, including exposing and unfortunately for Minnisha Lambha, she has turned to exposing a bit, which I thought was unnecessary. But I can't say the same for Vidya Malvade as she has definitely performed well as a mother. Lastly, there was nothing much for Reema Lagoo, who I felt was wasted when her role as a grandmother could have been improved.
This is not the same Sanjay Gadhvi, who has now separated from Yashraj Films, who previously directed hit movies such as "Dhoom" and "Dhoom2." The script was weak in many parts and this is perhaps the reason why he was not able to do better. The script could have been improvised and this would have made the film a bit better. Something to watch out for is the chasing scenes between the father and Kabir as they are very well filmed. I have been informed that for one scene, Imran Khan actually tried to perform a dangerous stunt himself only to receive a call from his uncle Aamir after Munnabhai gave him a call and informed him.
Conclusion: This is a watchable movie but it could have been better.
Imran Khan has definitely grown up from his first movie and to match his character, he has done workout in the Gym and has shown it. He is the saving grace for this film and has matured. The same cannot be said for "Munnabhai," Sanjay Dutt no doubt in my mind that he is a good actor but he could have performed better. He has played the role of a father before in "Pitaah," but playing the role of a teenager's father could have taken it to stronger position but never the less, not a bad attempt. Rahul Dev, in the meantime, has done a good job of his role in helping the helpless father.
Actresses nowadays can stoop to any length in a film, including exposing and unfortunately for Minnisha Lambha, she has turned to exposing a bit, which I thought was unnecessary. But I can't say the same for Vidya Malvade as she has definitely performed well as a mother. Lastly, there was nothing much for Reema Lagoo, who I felt was wasted when her role as a grandmother could have been improved.
This is not the same Sanjay Gadhvi, who has now separated from Yashraj Films, who previously directed hit movies such as "Dhoom" and "Dhoom2." The script was weak in many parts and this is perhaps the reason why he was not able to do better. The script could have been improvised and this would have made the film a bit better. Something to watch out for is the chasing scenes between the father and Kabir as they are very well filmed. I have been informed that for one scene, Imran Khan actually tried to perform a dangerous stunt himself only to receive a call from his uncle Aamir after Munnabhai gave him a call and informed him.
Conclusion: This is a watchable movie but it could have been better.
Maybe I just didn't know what to expect but the genre of this film could just as easily be musical as it is crime or thriller. If your not ready for the victim to spontaneously break into song and dance ala cheesy Indian music video skip this one. Still I was mildly entertained. As the title suggests the story is about a kidnapping but you just can't take it seriously.Many of the characters and locations look like Miami Vice if it had been shot in India on a low budget. I'm probably not reviewing this fairly as it needs a unique genre. I was also the only Non Indian in the audience. OK so their was a kidnapping. And the kidnapper takes the parents to go on a wild goose chase.All you need to know is Indian music video crossed with low budget Miami Vice.
- lubetkin-1
- Oct 5, 2008
- Permalink
Sometimes u go for a movie and wonder why the hell didn't i go for an evening walk instead or why i didn't go to bed early today... Kidnap will make you wonder why do i bother to go to movies. Its one of those movies which makes you laugh..... on yourself. The movie has a basic storyline of revenge with unlimited flaws which we can ignore. But can we ignore the below average acting or the poor direction and editing of the movie? Apart from the background music i don't think the film makers have paid a lot of attention to what exactly they want to make. The movie was neither a thriller nor an emotional outburst. In the end it made me wonder was it a spoof of some Hollywood movie. Minisha Lambha looked hot throughout the movie and apart from her cleavage show there was nothing more to the scenes filmed on her. Her mother looked like her elder sister. Sanjay Dutt was average and looked a bit out of shape. Imraan Khan disappointed big time. He is no Aamir Khan and he proved it. His acting was not at all convincing and he looked quite uncomfortable doing a serious villain role. Overall I guess the fine actors are as good as director makes them work and here we know who is at fault. I hope all the review readers to skip this movie and think as if this movie just wasn't released. I made the mistake but I have just came back from the show and I have taken the best possible way to save the world from this movie. God help people who see this movie.
- abhishek-anandk
- Oct 1, 2008
- Permalink
Sanjay Gadhvi, comes up with another thriller after his Dhoom movies. As everyone was appreciating the promising promos of Kidnap, it looked like a fast paced, stylish and engrossing thriller. But instead the movie fails to hold your interest from the first scene itself and is not even close to the earlier films by the director.
The most annoying thing is when a movie shamelessly starts with a song. This is like taking the viewers as granted and it also indicates that the makers didn't know how to start the movie, so they inserted a song with the heroine singing at the beach in some revealing dresses. I don't know what reasons can be given for starting a thriller movie with a song. Another shock comes right after the unwanted song, when you see Minissha Lamba calling Vidya Maldave "her MOM". Simply, a mis-cast. Neither Minissha looks like celebrating her 18th birthday nor Vidya looks her mother from any angle. By only putting a dialogue that "You became pregnant when you were 18" (for Vidya) cannot justify your mis casting.
The kidnap executed by Imran Khan, happens in the first reels itself and the complete story is revealed thereafter. As Imran is looking good playing the kidnapper, the viewer expects that some chilling and exciting drama will unfold in the later reels. But nothing happens and the film keeps on moving uninterestingly. Sanjay Dutt as the father of Minissha looks tired and just plays his part. Minissha acts OK but she seriously has to work on her close ups and Vidya Maldave looks more gorgeous than her on screen daughter. All the others in the cast having nothing much to do.
According to me, the USP of the movie could be the plot, where Imran is giving clues to Sanjay Dutt, which are to be solved by him in order to get his daughter back. But this very sequence is the most underwritten part of the script. The clues are uninteresting and the drama created through them does not create the required excitement. As a thriller the movie is not able to bring the viewer on the edge of his seat, which is a must for a good crime movie. It's just another revenge drama, where the child grows up and now wants to take revenge for his lost childhood.
There are many unanswered questions in different sequences in the script. Sanjay Dutt easily manages to get everything done as asked by Imran. He easily breaks in and out of the tight security in the house of his rich competitor. He takes a convict out of the jail as a piece of cake. He reaches the station in time, beating the traffic in a strange way and runs like a 25 year young boy. Very strangely, a revealing and stylish wardrobe changes are given to Minissha while she is locked up by her kidnapper. Too many liberties taken by the writer here. A film with this kind of subject surely does not require any songs, but here we have more than 3 songs and that too just as fillers. Pritam has given a very unexpected score with not even one exceptional song.
Gadhvi's seems to be a fan of chase and Heist movies. His "Dhoom's" had many sequences related to breaking in and beating security systems, "Kidnap" also has its own similar scenes. But whereas the loopholes of "Dhoom's" were covered by its huge and stunning starcast, this time "Imran" alone cannot cover the faulty script and becomes a victim of it.
In few words, Kidnap is another flick, whose promos were better than the main movie. All the expectations raised by its promos are not met and you feel disappointed. The only good thing in the movie is "Imran Khan".
The most annoying thing is when a movie shamelessly starts with a song. This is like taking the viewers as granted and it also indicates that the makers didn't know how to start the movie, so they inserted a song with the heroine singing at the beach in some revealing dresses. I don't know what reasons can be given for starting a thriller movie with a song. Another shock comes right after the unwanted song, when you see Minissha Lamba calling Vidya Maldave "her MOM". Simply, a mis-cast. Neither Minissha looks like celebrating her 18th birthday nor Vidya looks her mother from any angle. By only putting a dialogue that "You became pregnant when you were 18" (for Vidya) cannot justify your mis casting.
The kidnap executed by Imran Khan, happens in the first reels itself and the complete story is revealed thereafter. As Imran is looking good playing the kidnapper, the viewer expects that some chilling and exciting drama will unfold in the later reels. But nothing happens and the film keeps on moving uninterestingly. Sanjay Dutt as the father of Minissha looks tired and just plays his part. Minissha acts OK but she seriously has to work on her close ups and Vidya Maldave looks more gorgeous than her on screen daughter. All the others in the cast having nothing much to do.
According to me, the USP of the movie could be the plot, where Imran is giving clues to Sanjay Dutt, which are to be solved by him in order to get his daughter back. But this very sequence is the most underwritten part of the script. The clues are uninteresting and the drama created through them does not create the required excitement. As a thriller the movie is not able to bring the viewer on the edge of his seat, which is a must for a good crime movie. It's just another revenge drama, where the child grows up and now wants to take revenge for his lost childhood.
There are many unanswered questions in different sequences in the script. Sanjay Dutt easily manages to get everything done as asked by Imran. He easily breaks in and out of the tight security in the house of his rich competitor. He takes a convict out of the jail as a piece of cake. He reaches the station in time, beating the traffic in a strange way and runs like a 25 year young boy. Very strangely, a revealing and stylish wardrobe changes are given to Minissha while she is locked up by her kidnapper. Too many liberties taken by the writer here. A film with this kind of subject surely does not require any songs, but here we have more than 3 songs and that too just as fillers. Pritam has given a very unexpected score with not even one exceptional song.
Gadhvi's seems to be a fan of chase and Heist movies. His "Dhoom's" had many sequences related to breaking in and beating security systems, "Kidnap" also has its own similar scenes. But whereas the loopholes of "Dhoom's" were covered by its huge and stunning starcast, this time "Imran" alone cannot cover the faulty script and becomes a victim of it.
In few words, Kidnap is another flick, whose promos were better than the main movie. All the expectations raised by its promos are not met and you feel disappointed. The only good thing in the movie is "Imran Khan".
- SinglePlex
- Oct 1, 2008
- Permalink
What can I say about this movie?..I wanted to break something or pull my hair while watching the movie...
OK.. First of all about direction: In my opinion Sanjay Gadhvi was NEVER a brilliant director.. He was just as mediocre in "Dhoom" & "Dhoom 2" as both the movies were.. And yes, he delivers again the stupidity which he calls "a tribute" to classic Hollywood flicks..
About casting, I just can't believe Vidya Malvade was cast as Minissha Lamba's mother.. and a cheap plot point to justify that Vidya was married and pregnant at the age of 18..for God's sake they are not even of same skin color..
For Acting, Sanjay Dutt was good, Imran was OK and Minissha Lamba & Vidya Malvade was horrible!.. Ya, really horrible..
Other things about the movie includes, Worst music of Pritam (i think it is his original music .. so..), Unsituational songs.. in one song Minissha dances with her kidnapper Imran!.. in a waterfall of course!!..
So moral of the story is "Please, Please don't watch movie.. and Ya I said don't watch.. not even producer comes to you and tell you that there is special free screening for you, not even on your cable TV.. and in case if you have to, then make sure to ask for Aspirin"
OK.. First of all about direction: In my opinion Sanjay Gadhvi was NEVER a brilliant director.. He was just as mediocre in "Dhoom" & "Dhoom 2" as both the movies were.. And yes, he delivers again the stupidity which he calls "a tribute" to classic Hollywood flicks..
About casting, I just can't believe Vidya Malvade was cast as Minissha Lamba's mother.. and a cheap plot point to justify that Vidya was married and pregnant at the age of 18..for God's sake they are not even of same skin color..
For Acting, Sanjay Dutt was good, Imran was OK and Minissha Lamba & Vidya Malvade was horrible!.. Ya, really horrible..
Other things about the movie includes, Worst music of Pritam (i think it is his original music .. so..), Unsituational songs.. in one song Minissha dances with her kidnapper Imran!.. in a waterfall of course!!..
So moral of the story is "Please, Please don't watch movie.. and Ya I said don't watch.. not even producer comes to you and tell you that there is special free screening for you, not even on your cable TV.. and in case if you have to, then make sure to ask for Aspirin"
- arjunkelaiya
- Oct 1, 2008
- Permalink
Expectations are bound to run high especially when you deliver two mega grossers back-to-back ie. Dhoom and D2. And Sanjay Gadhvi is indeed accountable for the missing goods.
Sanjay Dutt:: His Conviction was missing and it was apparent.
Vidya Malvade:: For starters, I "never" knew she was the "Chak De" girl. Fitted well as independent & opinionated Mrs. Sanjay Dutt. But as Mum to Minisha - nay!!
Minisha Lamba:: Try and try harder until you succeed. Well this time around it was trying with the clothes I guess. Skimpy albeit.
Imran Khan:: It was written in bold that he was trying extremely hard to put up an intense emotion in the name of acting. Suggest he should stick doing chocolaty-boy roles and then make a natural progression towards parallel oriented performance. Uncle, where art thou?
At certain places, the movie carries a look which seems to be inspired by Sanjay F Gupta.
Background score is loud. Songs are passable and lyrics are crappy.
The plot simply doesn't connect. And the screenplay seems to be loaded with speed-breakers. Extremely poor in writing department (read that cinematic liberties!).
Sanjay Dutt:: His Conviction was missing and it was apparent.
Vidya Malvade:: For starters, I "never" knew she was the "Chak De" girl. Fitted well as independent & opinionated Mrs. Sanjay Dutt. But as Mum to Minisha - nay!!
Minisha Lamba:: Try and try harder until you succeed. Well this time around it was trying with the clothes I guess. Skimpy albeit.
Imran Khan:: It was written in bold that he was trying extremely hard to put up an intense emotion in the name of acting. Suggest he should stick doing chocolaty-boy roles and then make a natural progression towards parallel oriented performance. Uncle, where art thou?
At certain places, the movie carries a look which seems to be inspired by Sanjay F Gupta.
Background score is loud. Songs are passable and lyrics are crappy.
The plot simply doesn't connect. And the screenplay seems to be loaded with speed-breakers. Extremely poor in writing department (read that cinematic liberties!).
- AvinashPatalay
- Feb 20, 2009
- Permalink
can't believer this movie, i bet a million bucks if you survive this mindless 'torture' thriller for 2 hrs, first 5 Min's into the movie, you'll be amazed how stupid and mindless so called 'game'its gonna be.
yea first 5 Min's into movie, you'll know this movie is all about 'revenge' stuff, then minisha lamba strangely seen in her bikini dancing to a haunting number, which irks every other min, then comes here mother who almost knocks you down with her killer looks, it becomes hard on us to believe shez is a mother of 18 yr old, wel there r many issues,like firstly both mother(vidya) and daughter(minisha) compete in showing so called "glamour" irrespective of the situation there r in, secondly, Songs, they do nothing but make things worse,finally the very lame suspense elements in the movie..make you sick n disgusting. its like buying ticket to 'hell' This is one sick movie i have seen in lOng tym..,
yea first 5 Min's into movie, you'll know this movie is all about 'revenge' stuff, then minisha lamba strangely seen in her bikini dancing to a haunting number, which irks every other min, then comes here mother who almost knocks you down with her killer looks, it becomes hard on us to believe shez is a mother of 18 yr old, wel there r many issues,like firstly both mother(vidya) and daughter(minisha) compete in showing so called "glamour" irrespective of the situation there r in, secondly, Songs, they do nothing but make things worse,finally the very lame suspense elements in the movie..make you sick n disgusting. its like buying ticket to 'hell' This is one sick movie i have seen in lOng tym..,
Kidnap has the right ingredients for the audience that love masala flicks. A hot Minissha Lamba in skimpy clothes, an item number by Sophie Chaudhary in clothes which if reduced by little would leave nothing to the imagination, decent songs which are beautifully picturized, great action sequences. But its the script that lets the film down. The main motive behind the whole Kidnap, when revealed, is a complete turn off.
Kidnap suffers from a story thats hard to digest. Without giving the story away let me brief you on some of the scenes.
* There is a sensual bath with loads of cleavage under a waterfall, which reminds us of Zeenat Aman, all this while the girl is held in hostage!
* Vikrant Raina releases a crimininal locked up in jail. Raina manages to do so by burning down the jail kitchen and escaping in a fire brigader's uniform.
* In a chase sequence, Vikrant is in pursuit of Kabir who climbs buildings like a hero straight out of a superhero film. Vikrant is no less, he gives Kabir a good chase performing those unbelievable stunts.
* Don't you think its a tad bit unrealistic for the visibly unfit father of a grown up daughter to be so athletic? Also, at times you can clearly notice the body double. Mind you, the exact same chase is one of the highlights of the movie and has been shot well.
* The climax during the New Year eve too is very unrealistic. Not a single soul notices the gun in the Ice box nor while Vikrant pulls the trigger!
The chemistry between Imraan and Minissha is poor. Minissha in fact shares a better chemistry with Sanjay Dutt in those limited scenes they share.
Sanjay Dutt sleep walks through his role. Imran Khan needs to work on his dialogue delivery. He's fine in his much looked forward-to negative role. Minissha Lamba manages to distract with ample cleavage show, with limited scope for histrionics she does well. Vidya Malvade doesn't suit her role.
Overall, Kidnap disappoints. If well-performed action sequences, skin show in abundance and great locales is what you wish to see, Kidnap is worth a watch. Else, wait for the DVD. At the box office, the hype due to several reasons mentioned above, would ensure a good opening. The lower budget (20 crores) compared to most biggies and good opening could result in the cost being recovered by the end of Week 1.
Kidnap suffers from a story thats hard to digest. Without giving the story away let me brief you on some of the scenes.
* There is a sensual bath with loads of cleavage under a waterfall, which reminds us of Zeenat Aman, all this while the girl is held in hostage!
* Vikrant Raina releases a crimininal locked up in jail. Raina manages to do so by burning down the jail kitchen and escaping in a fire brigader's uniform.
* In a chase sequence, Vikrant is in pursuit of Kabir who climbs buildings like a hero straight out of a superhero film. Vikrant is no less, he gives Kabir a good chase performing those unbelievable stunts.
* Don't you think its a tad bit unrealistic for the visibly unfit father of a grown up daughter to be so athletic? Also, at times you can clearly notice the body double. Mind you, the exact same chase is one of the highlights of the movie and has been shot well.
* The climax during the New Year eve too is very unrealistic. Not a single soul notices the gun in the Ice box nor while Vikrant pulls the trigger!
The chemistry between Imraan and Minissha is poor. Minissha in fact shares a better chemistry with Sanjay Dutt in those limited scenes they share.
Sanjay Dutt sleep walks through his role. Imran Khan needs to work on his dialogue delivery. He's fine in his much looked forward-to negative role. Minissha Lamba manages to distract with ample cleavage show, with limited scope for histrionics she does well. Vidya Malvade doesn't suit her role.
Overall, Kidnap disappoints. If well-performed action sequences, skin show in abundance and great locales is what you wish to see, Kidnap is worth a watch. Else, wait for the DVD. At the box office, the hype due to several reasons mentioned above, would ensure a good opening. The lower budget (20 crores) compared to most biggies and good opening could result in the cost being recovered by the end of Week 1.
- tusharvyas15041987
- Oct 2, 2008
- Permalink
- afropuff1280
- Oct 18, 2008
- Permalink
- jaskunwar993
- Oct 1, 2008
- Permalink
If not for Minissha Lamba's ample bosom, there'd really be nothing worth watching in director Sanjay Gadhvi's Kidnap, a tired ole' thriller about bad boy Imran Khan who kidnaps Minissha, and puts her richie-rich dad Sanjay Dutt through a series of twisted challenges as revenge for an old grouse. As far as thrillers go, Kidnap is a pretty lame one, considering not once during the film's two-hours-plus running time do you feel your pulse racing. The challenges Imran puts Sanjay Dutt through are silly and juvenile, and they lack that edge-of-the-seat tension that is so essential in a film like this to keep the pace brisk. Ashamed as I am to admit it, here's one time I wished they had whacked a few good ideas from a smart Hollywood film. Instead, Gadhvi and his writer seem to have chosen to whack the plot of an obscure Pierce Brosnan-starrer "Shattered" from which they've derived the premise of Kidnap. The least you expect from a thriller are a few fantastic sequences that will make your jaw drop for their sheer inventiveness. In Kidnap, there's precisely one good scene -- it's that breathless chase sequence between Imran and Sanjay which is the film's finest stroke. Much of the film's problem lies in its sloppy narrative which is repeatedly punctured by unnecessary songs and unintentionally hilarious dialogue that digresses from the film's thriller theme. Too much time is spent establishing and then repairing Sanjay Dutt's estranged relationship with his ex-wife, played by Vidya Malavade. Vidya's character, in fact, is the weakest link in Kidnap, serving no real purpose in the plot, instead slowing down the narrative every time she shows up on screen. It doesn't help that the poor lady can't act to save her life, she can't even deliver a simple line of dialogue comfortably. The worst disease a thriller can suffer from is predictability, and Kidnap falls bang into that trap. You know exactly what's going to happen when Imran takes Minissha out to the beach when she begs to be allowed to bathe -- although you probably can't predict the erotic dance she breaks into once there. You know exactly what's going to happen when Minissha has an opportunity to escape when Imran's injured himself. And you know exactly how the climatic challenge Imran puts Sanjay up to will turn out. You see what I mean, there's virtually nothing good about this film. Which brings me back to Minissha's cleavage. If clothes were invented to cover one's body then Minissha's costumes in Kidnap reveal more than they hide. Her entire wardrobe in this film looks like it was stitched out of the bits and pieces of cloth you find lying around in a tailor's room, the bits that didn't get used when he was stitching a real dress. Not that there's anything wrong in showing a little skin, but the problem here is that you're convinced Gadhvi went the whole hog because he knew the film had nothing but Minissha's curves to keep the audience glued to their seats. Of the two male protagonists, Sanjay Dutt looks completely disinterested in what he's doing; and Imran Khan appears earnest acting out his scenes but seems to be taking his character and the film a little too seriously. The final, most deadly flaw in Kidnap is the bizarre back-story about why Imran wants revenge from Sanjay. It's not only an unconvincing motivation but it's also a fundamentally wrong plot point especially when you consider Sanjay's 'crime' against Imran seems perfectly justified given the circumstances. The film doesn't succeed in seizing your attention.Here's a film that could have been so much more but settles for such little.
- sumanbarthakursmailbox
- Dec 18, 2009
- Permalink
This movie from start was ill-conceived. It was too simplistic with no twists and will fail to grab your attention for long.In short, this plot had more holes than swiss cheese. The casting was done by a clueless director. The dialogues were weird and didn't do anything to alleviate the miserable plot. Imran Khan did not look the part of a juvenile delinquent or a boy from an orphanage. He looked more like a spoilt brat trying to get his parents attention by creating a nuisance. He concentrated more on looking cool than actually playing the part. Sanjay Dutt's acting was OK but with a spare tire around his midriff he didn't seem to have too much problems matching step for step in the foot chase with Imran.Vidya Malvade looked too glamorous for a mother, whose child has been kidnapped. She didn't once sob uncontrollably or breakdown. I guess that would have messed up her hair and makeup. This wasn't a role for her. Inspite of being kidnapped, Minisha Lamba didn't seem to have any problems coming up with Victora Secret's sexy lingerie,designer clothes or bathing in picturesque settings. Almost makes you want to be kidnapped. Like the Summary Title says " Total waste of Time and Money"
- modistreet
- Nov 30, 2008
- Permalink
As a non bollywood film watcher I took the opportunity to diversify my cinematic interests on the plane to London via Dubai. I had heard that Indian films often have musical numbers, but I still was suprised at how random the placements of them were. I specifically enjoyed the kidnapped woman performing a number. Apparently every genre in one movie is also common in Bollywood and I can confirm it did deliver on that front.
I really enjoyed not knowing what to expect and the bizzare clinch point conflicts due to the poor writing, but this movie was overall a mess.
The acting was alright considering they didn't have much to work with.
I really enjoyed not knowing what to expect and the bizzare clinch point conflicts due to the poor writing, but this movie was overall a mess.
The acting was alright considering they didn't have much to work with.
- breweranniej
- Sep 27, 2024
- Permalink
- Miss_Weasley_Potter
- Oct 8, 2008
- Permalink
- silvan-desouza
- Feb 12, 2014
- Permalink
RELEASED IN 2008 and directed by Sanjay Gadhvi, "Kidnap" chronicles events in India when the daughter (Minissha Lamba) of a rich tycoon (Sanjay Dutt) is kidnapped by a man driven by vengeance (Imran Khan). Vidya Malvade is on hand as the beautiful mother and ex-wife of the mogul.
This was only my third Bollywood movie so maybe I'm not the best person to appraise these movies, but I find them interesting for cultural reasons and generally entertaining.
The animated credits sequence is overlong and is curiously followed by a pop music video led by Minissha Lamba before the actual movie starts at the 8.5 minute mark. There are a couple of other music videos thrown in later. The language mixes Hindi with some English here and there, which is interesting (I gather this is how they actually speak over there).
The story and some of the dramatics seem too contrived and sometimes too quaint. The prison break sequence, for instance, is akin to a goofy Spaghetti Western from back in the day. Nevertheless, this is a unique crime thriller in that it bends over backward to entertain, literally throwing in kinetic song & dance routines. Lamba is curvy, the aging Dutt is resolute analogous to Bruce Willis with a small spare tire and the young Khan is unrealistically formidable, but likable. There's a dynamic rooftop chase in the second half and I liked the moral of the story, which is unmistakably driven home. But the movie is overlong at close to 2.5 hours.
WRITERS: Shibani Bathija and six others.
GRADE: C/C-
This was only my third Bollywood movie so maybe I'm not the best person to appraise these movies, but I find them interesting for cultural reasons and generally entertaining.
The animated credits sequence is overlong and is curiously followed by a pop music video led by Minissha Lamba before the actual movie starts at the 8.5 minute mark. There are a couple of other music videos thrown in later. The language mixes Hindi with some English here and there, which is interesting (I gather this is how they actually speak over there).
The story and some of the dramatics seem too contrived and sometimes too quaint. The prison break sequence, for instance, is akin to a goofy Spaghetti Western from back in the day. Nevertheless, this is a unique crime thriller in that it bends over backward to entertain, literally throwing in kinetic song & dance routines. Lamba is curvy, the aging Dutt is resolute analogous to Bruce Willis with a small spare tire and the young Khan is unrealistically formidable, but likable. There's a dynamic rooftop chase in the second half and I liked the moral of the story, which is unmistakably driven home. But the movie is overlong at close to 2.5 hours.
WRITERS: Shibani Bathija and six others.
GRADE: C/C-
- springsunnywinter
- Sep 30, 2008
- Permalink
This is the film which i expected to be good while watching the promos. Imran Khan looked good in the promos...So i was expecting a stylish thriller but it turned out to be a Damp Squib. This film can be a good lessons to actors like Imran Khan and other actors who sign movies in the love for their roles narrated in the film and forget about the script. This is a really awful predictable thriller.
Coming to performances, everyone is mediocre except Imran Khan who shines as the kidnapper, although he tends to go weak in his acting several times especially When He confronts Sanjay Dutt in the end, You feel the actor needs acting lessons. Minisha Lamba is an actress who has given respectable performances in her past movies. But here she is terrible. She opted for cleavage and skin show and got nothing from it. Vidya Malavade is OK but you feel like laughing when you come to know she is playing Minisha's mother. Sanjay Dutt is passable. His age is overpowering him,
The thing which always knocks my head, I would like to ask the scriptwriter, they never wanted a romantic angle in this movie right? then why they made the kidnapper having a heart of gold and showing a young lady who is showing so much cleavage and doesn't romance. Does it make any sense? A romantic angle could have saved this movie.
On the Whole, Don't waste your time for this one...this is one more example of a good idea turned horribly wrong.
Coming to performances, everyone is mediocre except Imran Khan who shines as the kidnapper, although he tends to go weak in his acting several times especially When He confronts Sanjay Dutt in the end, You feel the actor needs acting lessons. Minisha Lamba is an actress who has given respectable performances in her past movies. But here she is terrible. She opted for cleavage and skin show and got nothing from it. Vidya Malavade is OK but you feel like laughing when you come to know she is playing Minisha's mother. Sanjay Dutt is passable. His age is overpowering him,
The thing which always knocks my head, I would like to ask the scriptwriter, they never wanted a romantic angle in this movie right? then why they made the kidnapper having a heart of gold and showing a young lady who is showing so much cleavage and doesn't romance. Does it make any sense? A romantic angle could have saved this movie.
On the Whole, Don't waste your time for this one...this is one more example of a good idea turned horribly wrong.
- mannuskyhigh
- Jun 24, 2011
- Permalink
OK first of all, I actually liked this movie.. yes liked! It had a unique story and elements of suspense and such that made it so exciting. The only thing that was the downside was the leading lady, Minissha, who didn't really suit her character.. I felt like all she did was scream and her acting wasn't that great. But that didn't keep me from liking the movie, overall.. the movie kept me hooked on the entire 2 1/2 hours. To be honest, the heroine was the only thing that bothered me and she was only in the movie like barely half the time so that wasn't a big deal. The other aspects were pretty good! So if you're not too critical about every part of a movie and just want to see an entertaining thriller.. go see kidnap! p.s. im not a producer or any part of the movie... lol... just thought i'd mention that... im just a regular teenager!
- iluvblue23
- Oct 11, 2008
- Permalink
It is just one those movies that I didn't expect to like but ended up liking quite a bit. I had heard some pretty unfavourable reviews but it was on TV a couple of days ago and there was nothing else on so decided to watch it and I am glad I did. It is by no means a masterpiece but compared to the stuff churned out by Bollywood nowadays this is pretty good. I have a pretty much love hate relationship with Sanjay Ghadvi's work, I enjoyed Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi, Dhoom was OK and Dhoom 2 isn't even worthy of being called horse dung. I feel Sanjay Ghadvi has really improved as a director. Kidnap could have gone the standard kidnap drama route that is high on action and low on substance and tension. Kidnap has some really tense moments,I have not seen such a tense Bollywood movie for quite a while. I really applaud Imran Khan for trying a negative role in only his second movie and he pulls it off with panache. Minisha Lambha is really hot in this movie, in particular in a song where she tries to seduce Imran Khan. The only weak links is Vidya Malwade, who looks too young to be Minisha Lambha's mother. The music is too pretty weak, there is not a single tune I remember from the movie and it's only been a couple of days since I watched it. The finale, in which Imran Khan reveals to Sanjay Dutt his reasons for making him carry out the tasks was very effective. Kidnap is pretty good movie from 2008 and most certainly deserved more success than mindless flicks like Singh is King. A word to the people who haven't seen it but want to: don't let the negative reviews stop you from watching it, watch it and decide for yourself. Who knows like me you might end up being pleasantly surprised.
'Kidnap' definitely ranks as one of the worst movies of 2008. With movies like 'Dhoom 2', Gadhavi has already proved to be one of the worst directors ever. The story, not surprisingly, is unoriginal and nonsensical. There is nothing impressive where the technical side is concerned. It has the funniest (unintentionally of course) casting. I wonder how they got Vidya Malvade to play wife of the old haggard Sanjay Dutt and mother of Minisha Lamba. I can understand why any respectable 30+ actor would turn down the role (or anything offered by Gadhavi) but the only reason I can think of is that poor Malvade isn't getting enough roles. Sanjay Dutt mechanically plays a cop for the nth time. Someone ought to teach Minisha Lamba that it is important to be classy in order to look sexy. Otherwise it's just sleazy and/or tacky, both of which apply to Lamba. She could learn a thing or two about class from her on screen mom who looks sensational without having to show any body part. In addition, Lamba's acting is pathetic. However, it is the so called upcoming star Imran Khan who delivers the worst performance. Perhaps this is one of the best examples of wooden acting. 'Kidnap' has nothing going for it. The action sequences are laughable. Even some B-grade films have done better than this. The songs are better forgotten. I'd suggest you take a nap instead of watching 'Kidnap'.
- Chrysanthepop
- Jul 10, 2009
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- itsmyreview
- Jun 23, 2009
- Permalink