November 01, 2013
Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Priyanka Chopra, Vivek Oberoi, Kangana Ranaut
Director: Rakesh Roshan
From the moment we’re first re-introduced to our masked superhero in Krrish 3, saving a airplane from an imminent crash in a scene reminiscent of Bryan Singer’s Superman Returns, it becomes clear that filmmaker Rakesh Roshan is challenging us to a game of ‘Name The Original’. Indeed Krrish 3 is a potpourri of set-pieces and characters plucked out of every superhero film to come out of Hollywood in the last ten years or so.
Reunited at the end of 2006’s Krrish, father-and-son Rohit and Krishna Mehra (both played by Hrithik Roshan) are now happily saving lives in their own way: Rohit by developing cures to deadly global viruses, and Krishna by secretly taking on the identity of Krrish when robbers barge into a jewelry store, or when a kid is dangling off cables between the roofs of tall buildings. Their world is complete, and their secret safe with Krishna’s wife Priya (Priyanka Chopra), who whispers into his ear at a party that she’s expecting their child, just so they can make a big song and dance about it.
But (in a scene ripped straight out of last year’s The Amazing Spider-Man) when Krrish releases an antidote to a virus that poses danger to an entire city, he evokes the anger of Kaal (Vivek Oberoi). A cross between Magneto and Professor Xavier from the X-Men movies, Kaal is a paralyzed super-villain stuck in a wheelchair, who can move objects with his mind, and commands a troop of mutants. Amongst his most loyal ‘maanwars’ is the catsuit-clad Kaya (Kangana Ranaut), a shape-shifting temptress modeled after Mystique, who delivers clunky dialogues like: “Alag, anokhi, adbud hoon main, kyunki mera koi ateet nahin.” Before you can blink, Kaya has fallen in love with Krishna, while taking on the identity of Priya.
Unlike Hollywood superheroes, each of whom come with their own comic book mythology and back-stories, Krrish’s roots are planted firmly in Rakesh Roshan’s fertile imagination. Which means there’s plenty 80s melodrama about daddy issues and brotherly bonds, and a lot of hullaballoo over the safety of Krishna’s unborn child. Yet it’s the film’s action scenes that keep you engaged. The special effects are nicely done in a confrontation between Krrish and three of Kaal’s mutants that ends with our hero ripping out the protruding tongue of the frog-like creature. You can’t help but cheer when Krrish lifts an entire portion of a skyscraper with his bare hands. And to be fair, the climatic duel between Kaal and Krrish alone is bang for your buck. Inspired no doubt from every recent Hollywood blockbuster in which an entire city is reduced to rubble, this sequence is nevertheless thrillingly shot and edited.
What there’s no getting away from, unfortunately, is the un-slickness of the entire affair. From junior artistes staring directly into camera, and dialogues that take you back decades, Krrish 3 is an unlikely cocktail of cool, shiny technology and outdated treatment. As the pasty-faced Kaal, Oberoi gets the cheesiest lines. Pointing to his maanwars, he declares in one scene: “Fusion is the future”. On another occasion, referring to the virus he intends to unleash, he says: “Logon ko thoda marne do; aur zyaada darne do.” But the film’s biggest letdown is Rajesh Roshan’s uninspired score – a string of stale tracks that fail to strike the right note.
It’s Hrithik Roshan who compensates for many of the film’s hiccups with an earnest, committed performance. He brings consistency in his portrayal of the lovable man-child Rohit, a part he first slipped into ten years ago in the far superior Koi Mil Gaya. As Krishna/Krrish, he’s impossibly buff with gleaming chest and abs, but there’s a depth of emotion that’s unmistakable. Watch how he quivers with anger, his entire being visibly shaken, when Kaya reveals an important secret to him. Hrithik fills out the superhero suit convincingly, and makes you care for the character even when everything around him is laughable. The other impressive performance is from Kangana Ranaut, in the scene-stealing part of Kaya, who hits just the right balance between vulnerability and voluptuousness.
I’m going with two-and-a-half stars for the film, and an additional half star just for Hrithik Roshan, which makes it three out of five for Krrish 3. The film is ambitious but flawed. It is, however, consistently watchable for its terrific lead star who you can’t take your eyes off, even for a moment.
(This review first aired on CNN-IBN)
I think it is not fair with Krrish 3 to compare with it Hollywood movies because Hollywood’s movies budget goes to 1000 crore of any superhero movie for this anyone can check the budget of any Hollywood Superhero movie. I think Krrish 3 is far brilliant movie in Indian History and Krrish 3 is a real challenge for any Superhero movie not only in Bollywood but also for Hollywood movie because it is unbelievable movie in less than 100 crore brilliant movie with story line also they present the a wow super villain in the movie the only negative point in this movie is only songs which are not so good as the previous parts of this movie. apart form songs this is a brilliant movie for me and I will give 5 stars to this movie out of 5. I am glad to see this movie.
Comment by Karan — November 3, 2013 @ 6:41 pm
Krrish 3 is not only the best addition to the Krrish Franchise but also the best movie of Rakesh Roshan till date. Vivek Oberoi as a Villain is outstanding. My rating 4.5 out of 5. Go and watch it by yourself and decide. I couldn’t take my eyes off the screen even for a Minute. Don’t Listen to the others. They must be either the fans of Salmon Khan or Shahrukh Khan.
Comment by PARTHA — November 4, 2013 @ 1:00 pm
The movie is a one time watch .. a little too much indianized but not bad …
Comment by sumit prakash — November 4, 2013 @ 2:21 pm
well summarized. 100% agree with your assessment.
this movie is perfect for the urban male 5-10 year category, mostly loving the super hero genre, and addicted to chota bheem – which also coincidentally has a mish mash of all the sundry stories one could possibly collate!
this movie is strictly not for ANY sci-fi buffs, not for anyone who follows the script, or for anyone who appreciates a slightest bit correctness of any scientific theory. as in its usual blaze/ cavalier style , this has sugary sweet “indianess” to it, the all important “BAAP and his tears” , or the bizarre characters with absolutely not on iota of originality.
I wish I could leave my brain behind for these movies, but then , SRK/ salman khan movies are in the same vein too – om shanthi om, for example, or ANY salman movie 😛
Comment by ashok pai — November 4, 2013 @ 5:33 pm
better then yeh jawani hai deewani n beshram
Comment by manish nagpal — November 4, 2013 @ 8:18 pm
The first paragraph of your review states that ” filmmaker Rakesh Roshan is challenging us to a game of ‘Name The Original’. Indeed Krrish 3 is a potpourri of set-pieces and characters plucked out of every superhero film to come out of Hollywood in the last ten years or so”.
It was evident from the trailer itself…..
My question is “Why didn’t you ask about this in the promotional event of Krishh 3 featured in the tv. You were also a part of that programme at least you could have questioned him indirectly when you boldly wrote about it in your review?”
Note: I haven’t seen the film but I presume I will watch it on Television, only God knows how many times Koi Mil gaya and Krishh were aired on Tv!
Comment by Ravi — November 4, 2013 @ 10:06 pm
I thought it began sloppily but ended with a bang. There are so many things wrong about this film like the overload of mutated creature which ended up as just a gimmick. The stupid advertising of Krrish’s merchandise. And I don’t think Hrithik was that great either. Come on its a role he has done previously as well and I actually didnt see him grow into the role. I liked his previous performance. He has glt the looks, got the body — which did the trick in the end.
Comment by Sreejith — November 5, 2013 @ 12:13 am
Apart from a brilliant performance byHrithik, it’s Kangana and Vivek who made the film highly entertaining with their superb acting. Overall a thrilling film .
Comment by Supriyo — November 5, 2013 @ 6:30 am
one thing that ruins the show is uninspired tracks by rajesh roshan.I wonder why bollywood movies cannot do with songs.Hrithik was strikingly amazing, rest- movie is an earnest attempt to break through the usual dramatic stale movies of btown.
Comment by dinkar mishra — November 5, 2013 @ 9:35 am
Why is it even called Krrish3? There was Koi Mil Gaya which had not krrish.. then there was krrish. So this should be Krrish2…
Comment by Shashi — November 5, 2013 @ 10:59 am
Awesome review and awesome movie too. Read my two pence on the movie Rajeev Sir – http://picturedekh.wordpress.com/2013/11/02/krrish-3-movie-review/
Comment by Amit Baliga — November 5, 2013 @ 7:57 pm
There’s nothing in the movie you should praise for…the tracks do not have any relationship with the movie….the kaal starting himself as stephen hawkin and ending as magneto…and all the manvars are nothing but the poor man’s X-Men….and moreover all the scenes are copied somehow from superman and spiderman…please do some justification if you are copying otherwise comeout with atleast few unique ideas taking the references….!
Comment by Saurav — November 5, 2013 @ 11:43 pm
its a lowsy movie…thers a lot movie better than that……i dont have any scope…but give me one chance … i will show how to make a good movie…….pls dont harrass the viewrs …they do have the value of time…
Comment by Saurav — November 6, 2013 @ 2:26 am
Keeping in mind the IQ and exposure to superhero flicks of Indian people, Krrish 3 is well designed movie. OK, Hollywood flicks have that grand feel, which makes them very expensive. They also have new ideas, which can readily be accepted. An Indian superhero must have Indian feel to make it success among masses. We cant just gain technical excellence overnight, it will come step-by-step and Krrish 3 is a good step forward.
Comment by Ajit Parashar — November 6, 2013 @ 11:07 am
It is a mix vegetable out of Hollywood movies and also reminded me of Shaktimaan.It kept me making very right guesses as i had seen in hollywood movies. Better luck next time for your own story.3 stars (2.50 for effort and .50 for acting )
Comment by Amrinder — November 6, 2013 @ 2:17 pm
The whole concept of Krrish 3 is WRONG. Mutants with such strength cannot be created by combining Maanav + Jaanwar (MAANWARS). It can only be created by combining Jaanwar + Maanav (JAANAVS).
BTW: I HATE DO-GOODERS.
Comment by Dc Z — November 8, 2013 @ 11:06 am
Three stars for a movie made by mixing almost all super hero movies and idiot box melodramas your are pretty lenient Mr Masand
Comment by Sunny — November 8, 2013 @ 8:58 pm