Movie Review: Don 2

Director: Farhan Akhtar
Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Priyanka Chopra, Boman Irani, Kunal Kapoor and Lara Dutta
Release Date: 2011-12-23
Quick Take: SRK steals the show

The trailer created a buzz that Don 2 would be India's answer to big league Hollywood action flicks. But beyond that mountain of expectations lies a film that just about salvages its cause. It's barely there. In fact, had it not been for SRK and a slick climax, the film would've been a major embarrassment.

But it's not. Don aka SRK (or maybe vice-versa) is back and this time he wants to rule the world drug cartel. That makes him unpopular as adversaries try to bump him off. But Don is always one step ahead of the game isn't he? Don plots and executes a plan to come out on top. And all through SRK carries an uncanny smirk, a swagger and a disposition you'd die for. Think of him as an overconfident, cocky Casanova, whose wits are slicker than his Armani suits.

With SRK dishing out all the style in the world, director and writer Farhan Akhtar goes to sleep for an hour. After a kick-ass start the pace nose dives and the only thing that seemingly moves at speed is Don’s dialogue. There’s a moment’s pulsation when Hrithik Roshan makes a special appearance but that's about it.

The second half of the film is another story though. Don 2 hits back with a vengeance. The plan that takes half the film's run time to be thought out creates ripples of thrills in the next one hour. It's like one of those A-Team plans with twists and turns. There's some pretty nice Matrix-like action, explosions and gun fights. Not to mention more of SRK's untamed charisma.

Had this been any other film we would've ignored the shortcomings and applauded the end. But since this is a film by the director who made Dil Chahta Hai and Lakshya not to mention the actor in Luck By Chance and Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, we can't forgive the slacking. Full marks to SRK, Priyanka Chopra and Boman Irani. They carry the film through its flat moments. It's not very taut, but Don 2 serves up enough thrills in the finale and that alone makes it worth a watch.