MOVIE REVIEWS: HERO 2015
Boy! Does history repeat itself. In 1983 Subhash Ghai’s Hero gave the film industry two new stars. Thirty two years later the same might come true with Nikhil Advani’s revisit to the classic love story. This time the credit goes to Sooraj Pancholi. In his debut film, he exhibits a great deal of control and showcases enough talent to excite. He is the veritable hero of the film. The young turk on whose broad shoulders rests producer Salman Khan’s vision. Replete with contemporary cultural influences like EDM, slick action and actors with flawless bodies, Hero is a perfect product for the youth.
The quality of the film isn't all top notch. Even though it builds on a proven story, along the way it makes many a folly. Choppy editing, narrative loop holes and character inconsistencies are very apparent. But even then, the film maintains a grip on the viewer. It establishes a restrained method one that let's you appreciate the story and invest enough of your emotions. So slowly and steadily you start believing in the love story of a quintessential goon and the daughter of a prestigious cop. It's an unlikely match but it works because at the right times the characters behave in the right ways. They say the right dialogue, lines that are not at all cliched but rather adept at logic and reason. This is solid writing and it shines through in specific scenes. Parts of the story and plot turn out to be predictable, but it's hard to resist a heavy dose of charisma.
And that's exactly what Sooraj Pancholi brings to the table. In his very first film he displays a great knack for underplay and restraint. He never pushes into the drama. He never loses control of his character. It's the kind of performance you’d expect from a more seasoned star. But you get it from a debutant and one can only imagine that Sooraj will get better with every new film. His co-star Athiya Shetty is good too. Even though she doesn't have the author backed role, she does well with her character. Her comic timing as well as her effortlessness in romance turn out to be her strengths. The supporting cast lead by Tigmanshu Dhulia and Aditya Pancholi are all upto the mark as well.
There is a bit of polarity in Hero. At times it feels as if the film is trying to be a sum of two visions. So one scene doesn't always flow into the other. On occasions the songs seem too many too often. And slapstick comedy and high speed action crop up for no rhyme or reason. These are pretty evident flaws. At times they force you to throw your head back in disbelief.
But then, every time you see the lead hero live up to the demands of his film and role you forgive all the mistakes. By the end, in classic Salman Khan style action, the shirts come off and the six packs and bulging biceps take control. And like a devoted Bhai fan will tell you, when that happens the film becomes paisa vasool. While there's nothing new on offer in terms of story, the fresh new faces and a brisk runtime of 131 minutes make Hero a breezy entertainer.
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