Don 2
MOVIE REVIEW
Cast: Shah Rukh Khan. Priyanka Chopra, Boman Irani, Lara Dutta, Kunal Kapoor, Om Puri
Music– Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy
Direction: Farhan Akhtar
Rating: 4/5
Sleek, Stylish, Sexy. Don 2 is all of this.
When the promos claimed ‘The King is Back’, you couldn’t help but expect a lot of thrills and chills from this sequel of the 2006 hit. While the prequel itself had some cool twists besides some shoddy writing, it certainly gave a hint of a sequel in the end. And in Don 2, there is a furthermore indication (through a bike’s number plate) that there indeed will be a Don 3.
But how is Don 2? Well, in one word, it’s thrilling. In spite of a certain number of flaws, Don 2 works because it has the elements of suspense and surprise that a thriller should have. And whenever the screenplay dips and gets boring, there is always a man who comes in to the rescue: SRK. A word on him later!
After capturing the South East Asia, Don has his eyes set on Europe where he plans to rob the leading bank in Berlin. To accomplish his plan, he surrenders first and is thrown in a jail in Bangkok. Partnering with Vardhan, he escapes the jail and begins implementing his devilish plans. Some may say that the plot resembles Ocean’s Eleven or the MI series, but one cannot deny that some portions of the movie, especially the last hour matches Hollywood. The action and chase sequences, the twists and turns may not be too many but they certainly make their presence felt.
No doubt the first half takes its own time in unraveling and also gets a tad monotonous at times. But the film’s latter part surely makes up for it. The final hour is so spectacular that it keeps you on the edge of the seat and doesn’t give you much time to think. You remain gasping as Don conquers his enemies and wins over you, too.
Of the cast, well, it’s a one man show. Shah Rukh Khan is in an absolutely supreme form as he charms one and all with the magnetic yet wicked Don. He looks dapper and sexy in all the looks and literally steals the show with his smirk and his quick-witted one liners.
Priyanka Chopra doesn’t look a cop, though she is suitably restrained. Boman Irani is potent as Vardhan and looks menacing enough. Kunal Kapoor’s short role is adorable and he springs a pleasant surprise. Lara Dutta and Om Puri are just average while the latter is completely wasted. Hrithik’s cameo is okay but he certainly didn’t infuse the same charm as SRK.
Music by S-E-L is strictly average. I won’t blame him as a film like this had to have minimum songs. Though, I liked the song in the end credits.
For Farhan, the film could’ve been better especially in the first half. He ought to have stayed away from depending so much on Shah Rukh. But to be honest, keeping the lazy writing aside, credit has to be given to him for making such a stylized and sleek product.
The film will definitely garner a better response both from the viewers and the Box Office than Ra.One.
I am going with 4 stars out of five for Farhan Akhtar’s, or should I say SRK’s, Don 2. The film is a hell of a ride in the second half and a Shah Rukh Khan show all the way.
Watch Don 2 and end the year with a blast!
Chaitanya Sharma
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