HAPPY NEW YEAR- Movie analysis by an SRKian..!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR- Movie analysis by an SRKian..!!

DISCLAIMER:

As always, this is solely based on my individual opinion. 

Chromotragraphy or any such Chemical methods were not employed while doing the 'detailed analysis' of the movie.. ! 
This post has nothing to with ongoing researches on 'Sleep inducers'. If you fall asleep reading this, then you should be considering it as 'pure coincidence'.

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With so many "negative reviews" about this movie making the rounds, let me try my bit in doing an honest "analysis". 

Let this start with a question..!

"What do you expect when SRK and Farah Khan come together and make movie?"

"A brainless and trashy movie" is an answer that you get to hear and that's what you will eventually believe!

And this will make you set a very low expectation and this pretty much influences the way you perceive the cinema.

The word "Expectation" plays a very tricky role (Kutti Cheez??). 

- "High Expectation" leaves you dissatisfied. (Something that 'Dark Knight Rises' had to face in spite of being exceptional).

-"Low Expectation" will leave you immune to the entertainment factors. An average humor will sound "poor".

And that's exactly where "Happy New year" suffers.

Negative "word of mouth" is making you keep low expectations.

And "Happy New year" isn't a greatest movie of all time to spring up a surprise and leave you

Open mouthed in amazement. And with low expectation in your mind, you might find all the attempts at humor from the characters -"Bland " and "stale".

But, 

·        If you know that "Bollywood Masala" is a different genre altogether

·        If you like a cross between "Slap Stick comedy" and "Natural Humor",

·        If you dont feel that it's an insult to intellect if you appreciate larger than life movie,

·        If you are not busy spotting holes in the plot and comparing it with Hollywood movies,

·        If you want to sit with your family (elders and kids) and enjoy a movie

·        If you still remember that as a kid you would have preferred "Kuch kuch hota hai" over "Shawshank Redemption/Inception" brand of cinema

·        If you walk into the cinema hall without any expectation 

then 

I hope you will pretty much feel the way I felt about this movie. So in the words to follow is my review:

*Element SRK -

We aren't used to seeing a SRK movie where he is overshadowed by other characters and elements of the cinema.

Even though he is the protagonist and has more screen space in the movie, he has very limited scope to perform.

He is more like a guy who sets up stage for others to perform.

And yes, there are very and very few "SRK Moments".

 That doesn't mean that he hasn't performed well. He is at his usual best.

With a well-toned body and his mannerisms and dialog delivery he is a treat to his fans. 

A well-Choreographed action sequence on the roof of a sky scraper might also leave you holding onto the edge of your seats.

*Abhishk Bacchan-

We aren't used to seeing Abhishek Bacchan in a role that would leave you in splits more than many times. He is at his humorous best.

Of course there are couple of "stale" jokes apart from it he is the one who manages to leave you entertained wherever the script of this movie fails. And in terms of "scope" to act, he is the one who gets lion's share. And he has done full justice to the role.

*Deepika-

Reminiscent of her character in "Chennai Express" mainly because of her Accent. And there are moments when the whole theater burst into laughter thanks to her English. Very tidy performance.

And her dance(apart from the skin show) definitely manages to grab more than many eyeballs.

Be it "the bollywood-belly" in lovely or the "contemporary" towards the end of the movie, She is very good. So graceful..!!

*Boman, Sonu and Vivan- 

Boman and Sonu have also done their bit in making you laugh.

Boman might sound irritating in the initial twenty minutes, but once you are used to his 'weirdo, kiddish' accent, it won’t bother you much.

Sonu could have got something more in the script and something more to wear ( Yes, he is all busy in flaunting his beefed up body). 

But he has done justice to whatever he was offered with. 

Vivan has very limited scope in terms of acting. But he is decent. And Yes, He has hardly any dialogues to make you laugh.

*Plot-

It's about a gang of losers teaming up to steal 'a handful of diamonds'. And guess what they do, they take part in the dance competition.

And when it's 'heist' movie, you expect the Bollywood folks to heavily borrow elements from Hollywood. 

And 'Happy New year' stays true to your expectations and reminds you of 'Oceans'.

You have a guy who plans, a guy who hacks, a guy who cracks (Safes), a toned up guy, an impersonator and a bful lass. And they are apt to keep you engaged.

The plot is like Dosa with 'too many holes' (like any other bollywood masala movie), but yes there are zillions of indians who love to eat 'the indian food'. And they don't mind holes as long as they are tasty.

*Production Design and Cinematography-

Production Quality looks good thanks to the bright and grand locations. Kids would surely be mesmerized by the way the beauty of dubai is captured( Not sure if vfx has played its part)

*Music-

Except for "manwa laage" no other song stays in your mind once you walk out of the theater. But all the songs are well placed and goes with the mood of the scene ( 'Radhe' song deserves a special mention here). 

*Dance Choreography-

As they say 'Dance Choreography' in movies is not only about the dance moves. It (along with editing) is also about showing the right frames at right times.

Since it's about a team of 'non dancers' taking part in a dance contest, it's expected that the dance won’t be good. But Good Choreography and editing masks the otherwise mediocre dance performances, and keeps you entertained. 

*Direction ( if you realize the difference between screenplay, cinematography and direction)-

Farah believes in only one philosophy. "If I am gonna make a movie, it should have larger than life elements that appeals to and entertains the majority of country's population".

And she has put her sincere efforts to stay true to her philosophy. Every now and then she throws in elements that make you realize that "this is a cinema" and anything can happen here. And she does this intentionally.

But sometimes she has gone overboard and will make you feel that certain things were not necessary. (like Srk's reaction on Deepika's speech ala 'CHAK DE INDIA').

Otherwise 'Direction' is pretty good and tight. 

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Bottom Line:

Genre: Typical Bollywood Masala

Movie is not great, but it's very entertaining. The 2h 45min long movie doesn't seem so long and manages to keep you engaged throughout. 

You might love this movie if:

1.     You don’t' mind watching a movie with larger than life theme and humor that is a cross between a slap stick comedy and natural humor.

2.     You have liked any 3 of the these movies  -'Om shanti Om', 'Krissh', ' Eega/Makki' and 'Rab ne Banadi Jodi'. (Don't start wondering as why of all movies I have chosen these four).

3.     You are a SRKian and if you have liked 'Chennai Express'. (Both the conditions to be satisfied).

4.     You switch off your brains and feel free to laugh at average jokes. ( Like you used to do as kids).

5.     You are above 50 years and a regular visitor to theater with your family.

6.     You are a South Indian and love South Indian masala movies.

You might hate this movie if:

1. You hate both SRK and Deepika.

2. If you haven't liked any of the following movies - 'Om shanti Om', 'Krissh', ' Eega' and 'Rab ne Banadi Jodi'.

3. You are SRKian and you hated 'Chennai Express'.

4. You believe that you are not a kid anymore and that 'Bollywood masala entertainers' should be banned.

5. You are not a fan of naach gaana and larger than life theme.

-Chan

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PS: 

I am dying to see a movie where 'Hacking' is more than just those jazzy-fancy and bluish computer screens.