It is difficult for me to review Indian films. That's because we don't get many Indian films here in the US and although I have seen far more than the average American, that isn't saying much. I am sure most of the reviewers discussing "Agneepath" on IMDb are Indians and have seen hundreds or thousands of Indian films and are THE experts. In my case, my review might be best appreciated by an outsider who is no expert in these films.
Like just about all recent Indian movies this one, inexplicably, has some singing and dancing in it (an odd thing you just have to learn to love about their films). However, it's not as pervasive and doesn't have the HUGE production numbers you might expect where all the cast sing and dance. That's because at the heart of it, "Agneepath" is a very, very violent movie about gangsters and revenge. Simply put, it is NOT a family-friendly film you should watch with your kids! It is, in many ways, like combining a Bollywood film with a Martin Scorcese crime film! If you don't want to see lots of blood and violence, then skip the film. Or, perhaps see the 1990 version of the film--perhaps it's less violent.
The story begins on an island. A teacher (who everyone refers to as 'Master'--something that confused me at first) has spent his life being a good man and trying to instill the best values in his young son, Vijay. However, when an ugly punk (Kancha) moves in to take over the island and turn it into a living hellish crime empire, the teacher is in the way and discourages the people from trusting this new 'benefactor'. So, Kancha orchestrates an excuse to hang the Master--and Vijay witnesses this brutal crime. Despite Vijay only being 12, however, he's a VERY unusual child with a strong sense of right and wrong as well as revenge. And, for the next 15 years, he works his way up through a rival mob--gaining power and prestige until the ultimate bloody confrontation with the beast, Kancha.
I've seen several other Indian mobster movies and this one worked better for me for one big reason. Despite becoming a mobster, Vijay appears to remain a moral and just man. Yes, he kills, but he kills bad people and all in pursuit of his righteous cause. And while he moves to the top of the mob, his ultimate goal is to not just destroy Kancha but the mobs themselves. Had his ONLY motive been destroying Kancha, the film would have been so much less satisfying.
There was little not to like about this film other than all the blood as well as the shortest and easiest film childbirth scene ever (ladies, I am sure your experiences with being in labor were never THIS brief!). Plus, the ending, while satisfying, is a tad ridiculous (no one can be stabbed THAT many times and keep fighting--not even Rasputin). The camera-work was great and the film came off as very stylish, slick and professional. Karan Malhotra did a great job directing this one. I also loved the scene that came out no where with the cross-dressing army coming to the rescue--you just have to see this for yourself. Exciting, riveting and cool--the fact that Sanjay Dutt played one of the scarier villains in recent films sure didn't hurt. His role as Kancha just needs to be seen to be appreciated.
Like just about all recent Indian movies this one, inexplicably, has some singing and dancing in it (an odd thing you just have to learn to love about their films). However, it's not as pervasive and doesn't have the HUGE production numbers you might expect where all the cast sing and dance. That's because at the heart of it, "Agneepath" is a very, very violent movie about gangsters and revenge. Simply put, it is NOT a family-friendly film you should watch with your kids! It is, in many ways, like combining a Bollywood film with a Martin Scorcese crime film! If you don't want to see lots of blood and violence, then skip the film. Or, perhaps see the 1990 version of the film--perhaps it's less violent.
The story begins on an island. A teacher (who everyone refers to as 'Master'--something that confused me at first) has spent his life being a good man and trying to instill the best values in his young son, Vijay. However, when an ugly punk (Kancha) moves in to take over the island and turn it into a living hellish crime empire, the teacher is in the way and discourages the people from trusting this new 'benefactor'. So, Kancha orchestrates an excuse to hang the Master--and Vijay witnesses this brutal crime. Despite Vijay only being 12, however, he's a VERY unusual child with a strong sense of right and wrong as well as revenge. And, for the next 15 years, he works his way up through a rival mob--gaining power and prestige until the ultimate bloody confrontation with the beast, Kancha.
I've seen several other Indian mobster movies and this one worked better for me for one big reason. Despite becoming a mobster, Vijay appears to remain a moral and just man. Yes, he kills, but he kills bad people and all in pursuit of his righteous cause. And while he moves to the top of the mob, his ultimate goal is to not just destroy Kancha but the mobs themselves. Had his ONLY motive been destroying Kancha, the film would have been so much less satisfying.
There was little not to like about this film other than all the blood as well as the shortest and easiest film childbirth scene ever (ladies, I am sure your experiences with being in labor were never THIS brief!). Plus, the ending, while satisfying, is a tad ridiculous (no one can be stabbed THAT many times and keep fighting--not even Rasputin). The camera-work was great and the film came off as very stylish, slick and professional. Karan Malhotra did a great job directing this one. I also loved the scene that came out no where with the cross-dressing army coming to the rescue--you just have to see this for yourself. Exciting, riveting and cool--the fact that Sanjay Dutt played one of the scarier villains in recent films sure didn't hurt. His role as Kancha just needs to be seen to be appreciated.