Review of Dhoom 3 (2013) by Niraj V — 20 Dec 2013

With all the hype and hoopla surrounding this movie ever since it was announced way back in Jan 2011, it was impossible to not look forward to see what the 3rd instalment in this series had to offer. Thus, with fairly high expectations, and a extra large tub of salted popcorn and a big Diet Coke, I set off on this bottom numbing 172 minute adventure....................and when it was all done and dusted, the one question that was reverberating in my mind was..........who do I ask for a refund?????

The story, like it's 2 predecessors, is the same. A cat and mouse game between the cops and robbers, with stylised action, boys' toys and a blaring soundtrack thrown in for good measure. If only they had spent a bit of time on the screenplay, it may have had to chance to actually deliver on its potential. The intro scenes of Aamir Khan and Abhishek Bachchan/Uday Chopra are too long drawn out and you start feeling that they really need to get a move on and progress the story. Of course, whether there was any subliminal message in the difference between the 2 entries (Khan on hi tech BMW bike and Bachchan in an autorickshaw!!!!!!!) is a point to be debated over many a diet coke, I feel.

The camerawork and the action sequences are of a high standard, as is the CGI, but unfortunately, thats all thats good. The songs aren't memorable at all, and even the signature tune of Dhoom seems to have become far too synthesised over the last 9 years, not packing as much of a punch as it did in 2004. The male voice singing over it in the action scenes (like how the Bond theme plays in those movies and makes you sit up) is also lacklustre, making you wonder if this person (I honestly do not know who it is) has been specially tutored for this by Pt Jasraj or someone similar.

Now for the acting: Aamir Khan - Probably the best of the lot in this movie, but then thats not really a compliment. Wide eyed with the bowler hat sitting high on his head for the good guy, and a scowl and the bowler hat sitting low and covering the forehead for the bad guy, these are the 2 most common expressions used. He has worked hard on his physique - again - and that makes him look convincing when he's doing the action. The biggest drawback for him, in this movie, was his height. He looks glaringly shorter than Bachchan and even Kaif, and that is a bit weird to watch.

Abhishek Bachchan - Probably holds the 2nd longest serving ACP in the Bombay Police (2004-2013) after ACP Pradyuman of CID (1997-2013 and still going strong), despite having had a 100% success record!! He really needs to get a full makeover and change his look and maybe get a bit more into shape. The tall gangly scrawny look that propelled his father to stardom doesn't work anymore in this day and age if you want to be an action hero, sorry, but thats the truth.

Uday Chopra - allegedly his swan song, he is quitting movies after this (though will be open to doing Dhoom 4 if the role interests him enough), and he actually does a good job. He is well suited for these light hearted comedy roles, and doesn't mind laughing at himself, which is such a refreshing and welcome change (the scene after the kaam v/s kamasutra dialogue is a case in point). I, for one, will miss him in the future editions of Dhoom should there, god forbid, be any more.

Katrina Kaif - does a good job as a mute dancer.

Overall, this is a disappointing movie, the longest of the trilogy (they get progressively longer, 129mins for Dhoom, 152 mins for Dhoom 2 and 172 minutes for Dhoom 3) andI would suggest you watch it only if you are a die hard Aamir Khan fan, or you have an emotional bond with the crew of this movie. Otherwise, you will be sorely disappointed.

So, why did it I give it 5 stars, you ask?? Good question. the break up is as follows:

Movie - 1.5 stars.

The company I went with - 3.5 stars.

You have been warned!!!! Now go and enjoy!!