Akshay Kumar is good at many things - he has a natural flair for comedy, he performs dare-devil stunts stylishly, he can even be quite charming in romantic roles.
He's never been very good at voice modulation or dubbing though, which is why he wouldn't seem like the perfect choice to voice animation.
In Jumbo, however, the Thai animation film that's been redubbed in Hindi and released this week, Akshay Kumar lends his vocal talent to the older avatar of the film's elephant hero.
Separated from his mother in his youth, Jumbo wanders out of the forest and into the neighboring town Shaktinagar, where he's raised affectionately by the townsfolk, and eventually trained to fight in Prince Vikram's army, where he must face the most feared warrior elephant that ever lived. His rival, in fact, was responsible for the death of his father many years ago.
A typical coming-of-age drama told in a simple, straight style, Jumbo has some respectable animation, but lacks the edge that is required to make it an engaging enough watch. A far cry from those fantastic Hollywood animation films where top stars lend tics and quirks to create distinct characters out of their parts, Jumbo comes across as a rush job in terms of the voice work involved.
Akshay Kumar makes no attempt or effort to do a different voice each for the narrator and the older Jumbo, the two characters he's responsible for voicing. He lends the same deep drone to both characters. Dimple Kapadia as the voice of Devi, Jumbo's doting mother, is similarly uninspired, investing nothing distinct, nothing special to her part. Lara Dutta, voicing Jumbo's love interest - the pink elephant Sonia - is such an insignificant character, she barely registers any impact with her handful of lines.
It's the supporting players - Asrani, Gulshan Grover and particularly Rajpal Yadav - who succeed in making their characters memorable by giving them some meat to chew on.Jumbo has its animation roots in Thailand, and while the animation itself isn't bad, the film as a whole doesn't quite work because there's very little that's funny or original in the dialogue or the characters.
I'll go with two out of five and at best an average rating for Jumbo. Watch it for the spectacular battle scene in the end, it's the film's one big highlight.
Rating: 2 / 5 (Average)
Courtesy:cnn-ibn
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Clever alliterations and Akshay Kumar [Images] in a 'spoofy-autobiographical self merged with a Jackie Chan'esque [Images] avatar -- Chandni Chowk To China [Images] might just mark the beginning of a rocking January.
Add to it a delightful Ranvir Shorey, looking more authentic than the Indian version of Chow Mein in that get-up, along with Deepika Padukone [Images] in a cheongsam cocktail, what have you here?
Also See: The trailer of Chandni Chowk to China
Ever since the teasers came out, Nikhil Advani's [Images] action-packed comic caper, presented by Warner Bros and produced by the Sippys -- Ramesh and Rohan -- has aroused abundant ooh-aahs. And now with the launch of its music and a fast-nearing release date, the Hindi-Chini fever is on an all-time high.
So what's the soundtrack like, right? It's eclectic -- wild, flamboyant, electric, blustering and gentle too. The changing graph and flavour of its music, with not much melody, can be attributed to the presence of multiple composers at its helm.
For starters, there is Kailash Kher and Paresh-Naresh brothers doing their thing in the thoroughly enjoyable S.I.D.H.U. Besides rendering an elaborate introduction of its leading protagonist and his rise from sloth to skirmish, this qawaali-styled ditty is comically penned and mockingly told by the man wielding the microphone, pen and notes, namely Kher. He's also behind the tenacious Chak lein de. Employing a motivational 'just do it' brand of slogan, Kher, Paresh and Naresh infuse the 'one-man army' jingle with sufficient furore and intensity. Yet, it lacks that inspiring 'buck up' in its rhythm to really cheer or convince its listener. Ditto for its pallid techno mix by DJ Amyth.
Brace yourself for a touch of oriental hip-hop in the title song, which breaks from its robotically co-ordinated beats to burst into Bunty Aur Babli [Images] jhankaar mode in this lively, crazy concoction churned by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy. It's a grandeur personified song, which concentrates on contributing to the funniness of the situation and its choreography. Neeraj Sridhar, Anushka Manchanda and Shankar do a vivacious job of achieving the same. DJ Amyth's remix doesn't try to mess with the original so much, except for accelerating its tempo to appealing results.
And so was there any real need for another gimmick-loaded number? Even as you tear your hair to wonder, Bappa Lahiri unleashes his madcap version -- India se aaya mera dost of dad Bappi's picnic anthem, Bambai se aaya mera dost. If struggling to comprehend what exactly Bappida and Ravi Tripathi are singing wasn't nerve-wrecking enough, there's a seriously annoying pack of chorus gnawing ynou ynou offensively in the background.
As if on cue, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy volunteer to soothe those irked nerves with the lilting rhapsody, Tere naina. Easy-going, dulcet duets have always been a S-E-L speciality and they don't disappoint this time either. While Shankar oozes romantic reverence with refreshing fervour, the translucent quality to Shreya Ghosal's glossy vocals escalates Tere naina to another level altogether.
From seedhe saade Akshay (Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi) to Log mujhe Bollywood star. Mera naam Akshay Kumar, the actor indulges in an unabashed exercise of self-adoration. Here's a sampler from the rap recipe by Bohemia:
Mera ek haath ka khel
Sara Bollywood ek mera koi nahi mel
Acting karne chale vaise hazaron
Badsaah ek, baaki sare fail.
Frankly, this could have just ended at Singh being Kinng.
As I mentioned earlier, the music of Chandni Chowk To China is an unpredictable assortment of shifting moods and contrasting colours. But since its focus mainly lies in creating a sound that is in sync with the film's adventurous momentum, it lives up to the job description.
Verdict:3/5
Courtesy:www.rediff.com
The film sees SRK [Images] playing Surinder Sahni (Suri) a regular office-going guy, who lives a quiet life and married a girl Taani (Anuksha Sharma proves to be a good find), who had just lost the guy she wanted to marry. Obviously, she doesn't love him. But he does, and decides to win her with an alter ego called Raj.
One of the things you may notice is that Aditya, along with cinematographer Ravi K Chandran, have designed the pace of the film with a lot of long and tough steady cam shots, held together by expert performances. I say tough because the camera is never static, yet it moves at exactly the emotional point you would require it to move in close to the character or pull back.
The music of RNBDJ is sync with the theme of the movie.A hark back of an old era of tabla and dholaks mixing the modern music.Salim-Sulaiman,the two underrated musicians in the industry who did Iqbal and Chakde,bang on this time too.But this time,it may not be enchanting like that of the others,because its main purpose is to be in sync with the film.
The first song, "Tujhe Mein Rab Dikhta Hai" sung by RoopKumar Rathod is the best track in the album.It gives you a feel of the old era of bollywood.The only pure melodious song in the album.This track really underlines the fact that the music director-duo can treat ballads , and melodious songs right.The same is reprised with the sweet voice of Shreya Goshal.Really a melodious one.
The second track "Haule Haule" is a peppy number sung by Sukhvinder singh.The most catchy one of the album.With the use of bumping tabla and sohisticated keyboards,this one is a YashRaj stereotype.
"Dance Pe Chance" ,the third track is Indian meets western.Bhangra meets elctronica
swings.Sung by Sunidhi Chauhan,this makes your feet move.A discotheque song that is sure to hit the floors of dance clubs.
"Phir Milenge Chalte Chaltey" sung by Sonu Nigam is a blend of all
types music put well together.In the context of the movie,it may suit well.May be a number which reminds of yesteryears block busters.Shahrukh may be dancing to this number reminding you of the yesteryear...."for instance the immortal yahooooooooooooooooooooooo
oo by shammi kapoor..."this will be an extremely fun song.
The track with which the album signs off is with "Dancing Jodi" song and that' too in style. A song with much emotions,bhangra,electronica,passion..this will surely make you smile on dance floors.
All in all,a good album.But could have been better.But Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi doesn't fail to excite you.
Verdict:3/5
Well!!!This year has been really spectacular for A.R.Rahman.After giving us the Classy Jodhaa-Akbar,Trendy and Peppy JTYJN and stylish YuvvRaaj,He hits the bulls eye once more.The music of Ghajini is captivating.Its takes you more time to indulge to the album.The more you here it you are addicted to it.
"Behka" is one of the most intriguing song in the album.With snare drum beating karthik provides the vocal for this song.The Behka-Behka chorus will indulge you more into the song.Rahman goes absalutely wild with this track.With Joshi's lyrics this song us make you rock.
Prerequesties:
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Mind that this is not a masala flick
Dnt expect this to be a fullfledge action movie
Dnt expect Hrithik to dance
&Get prepared to spent 3.5hrs to have a visual treat.
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A film I have waited for more than a year.Grabbed the ticket for first day first show.The atmosphere at the hall were rocking.The audience were lik hysteric.The director of Lagaan and Swadesh proves with this film that he is master in using large canvas,more effectively than Bhansali,Karan Johar and YashRaj banner.A little more care into the film by the entire crew could have made it a CLASSIC.I feel privileged to see Jodhaa-Akbar in theatre.The film starts with a narration about Mughals and Rajput's customs,traditions,political interferenes and all..The scene which introduces AKBAR is one most of the most thrilling intoduction scenes i have seen.A love story with a blend of politics,revenge and all.The only disturbing thing about the film is it length.Still u wont get bored.But there were some subplots that could have been avoided.
The USP of the film is not the war.Its Akbar and Jodhaa.Hrithik as Akbar delivers his career best performance.Those who think Lakshya was his best,Just watch this.I have not been a big fan of Ash.But performing as Jodhaa,she is stupendous.Truly,She is the most beautiful woman on Earth.Thanks to Neeta Lulla's costumes which made her truly a princess.Special mention about the elephant taming scene...Hrithik done by himself..Its breathtaking!!!Its such a scene u wont forget for so long time.And the bare chested Sword practising scene.I heard whispers.. ..Truly sizzling!!!And how can i forget the sensous sword fight between Jodhaa and Akbar..Awesome!!!You will smile during the fight when Akbar says to Jodhaa when she fights with much anger "Mallikaye Hindustan...Yeh mat bhulo ki hum aapke Suhaag hain"..
Hrithik has done the job excellently that it almost turned to a one man show.He lives as Akbar.The anger,ruthless scenes,the romance..all we can see in his eyes.A performance,may be only Hrithik could have delivered.I cant think of any other actor who can fit into the soul of Akbar. The "In lamhon ke daman mein song" is one of the most romantic song i have seen in my life.This is wat i call onscreen chemistry....Pair made in heaven.Nicely choreographed with little vulgarity.Kudos to Ashuthosh.The Azeem-O-Shah and Kwaja mere kwaja are the two songs thet indulges you into the film.Amazingly choreographed and well taken,these twosongs are among the highlights of the film.The war sequences are well shot that u feel that you are watching it really.
An enthralling experience.A must watch movie.Dnt watch it in pirated Cd's,perhaps you are missing the thrill to watch a CLASSIC EPIC in theatres!!!
Verdict:Must Watch!!!
