Movie Review: Blue 16 Oct 2009, 0731 hrs IST, Gaurav Malani, ET Bureau Print EMail Discuss Share Save Comment Single page view Text: Director: Anthony D'Souza Cast: Akshay Kumar, Sanjay Dutt, Lara Dutta, Zayed Khan Rating: **
Blue is the perfect example of a good 100 crores going down the drain (sau karod paani mein daal dena). Sure the film promises some brilliant visuals and underwater images never seen before in Indian films thanks to one of the finest underwater cinematographers in the world (Pete Zuccarini). But sadly the credit list literally lacks the mention of a screenplay writer. The scene opens in post-independence era of 1949 when a ship from Britain to India is bringing back its long looted riches. Strangely as per goofed-up geography, the shipwreck happens in Bahamas (that figures nowhere on the course of voyage). The treasure lies deep inside oceans untouched for more than half a century. The scene opens in present-day Bahamas with good-friends Aarav (Akshay Kumar) and Sagar (Sanjay Dutt) fishing and fighting together. The latter addresses the former as Sarkar for being filthy-rich. But the former more aptly addresses the latter as Sethji (not for his possessions but perhaps his paunch). The fatigued seth with a potbelly pet romances a bikini babe (Lara Dutta) half his age. Sagar's brother Sam (Zayed Khan) is estranged from him for strange reasons. He races bikes rapidly and romances babes vapidly. Fleeing from mafia men, he returns to Big Brother house. By interval point you only relish the sight of fish but sadly get to see no meat in the plot. In absence of a sane screenplay, the viewer is subjected to burnout action sequences and bike chases. By the time the oceanic treasure-hunt initiates in the climax, you see blue since the film is 'in deep water'. Sadly the authentic aquatic life is put to no active use as even the sharks seem to be harmlessly herbivorous. Rather the regular hero-villain combats are replicated in the oceans to no groundbreaking effect with the marine life playing passive spectators to the proceedings. Mayur Puri's casual conversational dialogues sans any cinematic significance and the minimal background score fail to induce depth to the drama. The supposed suspense in the narrative is almost obvious from the start. A R Rahman's musical score is plain passable this time. The art design by Narendra Rahurikar is decent. Laxman Utekar's cinematography is fascinating as he captures the Bahamas beaches beautifully in his lens and uses effective close up frames on the cast. Designer Rina Dhaka deserves special mention for styling Lara Dutta at her sexiest best in those white, red, pink and bejeweled bikinis. The introductory action sequence of a shark attack has been credibly choreographed by James Bomalick. But after a perfect startup for an underwater adventure, the action takes the regular 'road' until the climax while the adventure isn't scripted thrillingly. Blue has munificent footage of marine world which has been stunningly shot by underwater expert Pete Zuccarini (Pirates of Caribbean). But the conventional storytelling doesn't elevate its outcome beyond the visual brilliance of a National Geographical documentary. Akshay Kumar is decent. Zayed Khan isn't bad but doesn't go beyond his regular self. Sanjay Dutt looks dreary and uninterested. With a perfect toned body, Lara Dutta looks desirable and adds grace to her liberal beachwear, not looking one bit vulgar. KatrinaKaif gets no scope. Rahul Dev is regular. Kylie Minogue's item number comes out of the blue. Director Anthony D'Souza deserves applause for testing water with entering an entirely new territory, not attempted before this side of Pacific. The logistics of such filmmakingare extremely demanding and he hasn't compromised on the standards. But his storytelling certainly lacks the finesse which could have made this project a more entertaining fare. Blue doesn't glue you to the seat. Rather its corniness can make you see red. http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/media-/-entertainment-/entertainment/Movie-Review-Blue/articleshow/5129873.cms
