Bang Bang

What if James Bond was played by Hrithik Roshan, the sexiest man alive? What if, as well as being adept with the quip and karate kick, he was also a thrilling dancer, and dearly loved his Mum and Dad? Then, you would have the peerless escapism of the Bollywood action film, Bang Bang. An international terrorist has commissioned a theft, of the Kohinoor diamond, once looted to grace the crown of the Empress of India, Britain’s Queen Victoria. Rajveer (Hrithik) has the gem, but is distracted by the lovely Harleen (Katrina Kaif) a bored bank receptionist waiting for a Truluvv.com date, and who is about to embark on her personal thrill ride. There are spectacular chases (at least one too many) and copious carnage, and Harleen is a bit dimmer than she needs to be, but she’s a real character. Bang Bang isn’t high art, but pop art, an exhilarating ride.World cinema has been stealing from Hollywood since practically the beginning of the movies, I presume. The Indianization of Hollywood films is fascinating and ongoing, and this one is an excellent study of the tradition. Now, globalized companies, like Fox, have begun to formalize the once shadowy arrangement. Bang Bang is a riff on the Tom Cruise/Cameron Diaz Knight and Day from 2010. The basic plot is a favorite of mine, innocent bystander becomes entangled with wild adventure. I saw Bang Bang before the Tom Cruise/Cameron Diaz starrer although some theater screenings included a title card acknowledging the source. My theater in North Carolina omitted this slide, which apparently credited the original screenwriters. Also missing were the opening slides plugging brand partners, like Pizza Hut. There are ludicrous Pizza Hut product placements throughout Bang Bang. I’m willing to bet there is no stand alone, cliff side Pizza Hut restaurant in Deradhun, a plug obvious to the most naive moviegoer.The film begins with a shadowy figure casually tossing and catching the Kohinoor in the air. Since that person has a double thumb, it can only be Hrithik Roshan, an actor’s whose physical beauty is accented by this oddity, considered lucky and so uncorrected by plastic surgery. A chance encounter sets both film's plots in motion, but the characterizations are tailored to each star’s persona. Tom Cruise has a driven, type A kind of charm, he’s anxious and rabbity, never relaxed. Hrithik’s manner is much looser, he’s much more willing to smile, and the camera lingers on his body, for visual pleasure, more like the way Diaz is ogled in a bikini, rather than Cruise in his board shorts . Hrithik’s dancing skills play into his fighting skills, he has a longer line, as one would say of a ballerina, and appears to be doing more of his own stunting than Cruise (who’s older).Cameron Diaz’s heroines are always rather tomboyish, June, in Knight and Day, wears her cowgirl boots, even with a bridesmaid’s dress. In Night and Day she is a garage owner, a rebuilder of 60s/70s muscle cars. Katrina Kaif, the leading lady of Bang Bang is not a physically small person. Much taller and more solid than Diaz, her character is more fragile and naïve. I thought Kaif did way too much shrieking, but it turns out Diaz did even more. Diaz is more sexually aggressive, as well, Katrina is dumbfoundingly sexually innocent, although her robust fantasies about Rajveer take up a lot of the musical real estate of the film.The villain, Omar Zaphir, is played by Danny Denzongpa, who is himself a link to classic Bollywood action films of the 1970s. An actor of Nepalese descent, his non-Indian looks suited him for all kinds of action film bad behavior during his long career. He has 195 credits, according to the imdb, dating back to 1971. His henchman, Hamid Gul, is Javed Jaffrey, often a comedy player, it’s fun to see him be evil here.Mainstream Bollywood film actors did not kiss their leading ladies even ten years ago. When Hrithik first kissed on screen, in Dhoom 2 and his lips touched Aishwarya Rai’s, the theater audience gasped in amazement. Kissing is a big deal in Hindi films, and what in American movies would be considered ridiculously chaste, here carries an erotic charge, as it still has an aura of the forbidden.Needless to say, Knight and Day is not a musical (although the Kingsmen’s “Louie, Louie” figures in both films). Bang Bang’s songs, by the peerless Vishal and Shekar, are driving and catchy. Bang Bang’s title song, played over the end credits (and no doubt, endlessly on South Asian television channels) is loads of fun, with its homage to Michael Jackson. But all the songs are good, and nobody looks better on the dance floor than Hrithik. Nobody.One huge problem with Fox being directly involved, and this is true as other Indian production companies partner with American studios, they have stopped subtitling the songs. What’s up with that, people? The lyrics are important. Yes, both versions are loaded with action movie ridiculousness. So many bullets, and the lead actors never get hit? As my daughter points out, Rajveer clearly has a supply of hair products in each of his safe houses. But, for some reason, Bang Bang’s craftsmen and women improve on the source material. A lesson in cultural appropriation, alluring star personas and audience satisfaction. This is the best Bollywood entertainer of 2014.

Action! Romance! Comedy! Adventure! - all, brilliantly united in the whirlwind delight that is "Bang Bang!" (2014).Perhaps not since Spielberg's classic "Raiders of the Lost Ark" (1978) have these elements of action and romance and comedy been so seamlessly and slickly melded together ... simultaneously, at the same time and in the same scenes.A bright-but-bored bank receptionist (Katrina Kaif) inadvertently saves the life of a charming stranger (Hrithik Roshan) - who may be `Mr Right' but is also literally `The Wrong Guy' - then must flee around the world with him to evade international criminals (Danny Denzongpa and Jaaved Jaaferi) and government agents (Pavan Malhotra), who assume they are working together and are now trying to kill them both."Bang Bang!" can be appreciated as a triumph of globalisation in cinema because it is, truly, an international collaboration. The action team alone brought together experts from 6 countries (India, US, UK, France, UAE, and Iran) under the direction of veteran Hollywood action specialist Andy Armstrong ("Thor", "The Amazing Spider-Man", and many others) from the UK, who had nothing but raves for Indian superstar actor Hrithik Roshan's stunt work. Locations range the planet, from snow in the Himalayas and sand-and-surf in both Thailand and Greece, desert in Abu Dhabi, all the way to Baroque grandeur in Prague. "Bang Bang!" is the first major project of Fox Star Studios, the new Indian subsidiary of classic Hollywood studio 20th Century Fox, which adapts an earlier Fox property shot as "Knight and Day" (fully credited) into this more polished movie designed for the international market. And frankly? "Bang Bang!" makes "Knight and Day" look like a half-finished rough draft. The skeleton is retained, but fleshed out and fully grown. Everything works better! Director Siddarth Anand uses a sharp screenplay, crisp editing, and witty dialogues to elevate the proven chemistry of reigning superstars Hrithik Roshan & Katrina Kaif (whose first pairing in 2011's "Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara" was hugely appreciated) to a whole new level altogether. The result smacks less of "Knight and Day" and more the wit and sheer fun of the early James Bond movies - or "Raiders of the Lost Ark".One quality I found especially refreshing is how the story is presented from the woman character's perspective: she is the audience's `point of access' to what is, essentially, an alien world. The music (by Vishal Shekhar) backs this up - and is perfectly delightful in its own right. I love this music! Whether it's the charming goofiness of `Tu Meri', or the romantic idyll of `Meherbaan' that simply could define "mellow". A personal favourite is the playful `Uff'. [Both tall and leggy, AND great dancers, Hrithik & Katrina could have been born to dance together.] But the ever-talented Hrithik's homage dance tribute to the late great Michael Jackson in the title track, `Bang Bang', over the end credits is an absolute Must See."Bang Bang!" is one of India's biggest ever global blockbusters, theatrically released in more than 50 countries worldwide with (deservedly) phenomenal success.Dialogue is Hindi and English, with English subtitles.PACKAGING NOTE: Manufacturer has packaged "Bang Bang!" in a lovely slipcased 2-disc box, but nonetheless crammed both the movie and its special features onto a single DVD. Neither the sound nor picture quality of this DVD matches up to the standard of the original film.If one has Blu-Ray playback capability, the buyer might want to hold out for the high definition Blu-Ray edition releasing shortly. Because "Bang Bang!" is one movie you'll want to enjoy again and again!

I thoroughly enjoyed watching this movie 'Bang! Bang!' It was exciting, suspenseful, very funny in parts, good music, gorgeous lead actors, great acting and amazing stunts. Hrithik Roshan was telling the truth when he said this movie is different from the Tom Cruise movie "Knight and Day and that it is better". Of course, it may seem better because of the fact that it is different in a lot of ways. 'Forthcoming Bollywood action entertainer “Bang Bang” has been called the official remake of Tom Cruise-starrer “Knight and Day”, but its lead actor Hrithik Roshan says it’s different and “better”. That's not saying that Knight and Day was not a good movie. It's just different in a lot of ways from Bang! Bang!. If you have not seen "Knight and Day" then, don't watch it until after you see "Bang! Bang!" Then decide which you enjoyed more, or if you liked both of them about the same.

You just can't go wrong with Hrithik Roshan and Katrina Kaif! OMG he is like a Greek GOD and she is like a Greek GODDESS!!! Especially with Santorini as a background, they looked absolutely amazing!!!! Funny, entertaining with a lot of action! Something where you can just relaxed and enjoy the movie without thinking too much! It served it purposes for what it was intended to accomplish! I love happy endings! Not all movies need to be deep and heavy in order to be rated with five stars! Even mistakes or not perfectly shot scenes can get away when the overall result is great! Anything with Hrithik and Katrine, I will buy it right away without second thought! Kudos to Indian actors and actresses! I love you guys!

The DVD is very blur. chapters and songs sections don't work and the subtitles come on only at certain parts of movie. Not worth the price paid.

The DVD arrived in great shape, no damage to the cardboard outer liner and no damage to the plastic DVD case either. The DVD itself had no scratches and plays great. The special features aren't much to write home about but you do have the option to just play all of the musical numbers which is great!Many other reviews comment that the DVD case appeared to be for two DVDs and that somehow the case had been opened and the second DVD removed. I'm not super sure that a 2 disc edition was ever released, one, and two if you examine the actual case properly you can see that there was never supposed to be two discs. There is space for another disc, sure, but there are no spokes/grips for another DVD to be placed into the case. The insert with the spokes is not in the case (see my photos).I'm really happy with this purchase, I loved watching all of the musical numbers on youtube but being able to see them in the context of the film was great!! If you are on the fence about the film because it is a remake of Knight & Day then don't be--the story doesn't have MUCH more substance but it holds together better and with actors that are this pretty it is hard to stay mad at some of the hijinx that the film gets up to. In my opinion Bang Bang has a lot more heart and I really love it. (...obviously because I bought the dang thing).

First of all, I loved the music in this movie. Modern sounding without the club sound, but catchy and very romantic. A few funny parts, but overall an action movie, with Hrithik, of course, being the perfect tough guy. My only thing against it is, I didn't care for all the violence. From the very beginning it starts off violent, and is almost continual through the rest of the movie. There's no blood shown, but a lot of shooting and hand-to-hand combat, with even neck-snapping. Katrina Kaif seems the same as she usually is in her roles. Three stars for the storyline, music, and chemistry between Hrithik and Katrina.

Bought this DVD. I think it is Hrithik's best movie. He is so good looking on the outside but I see a good heart as well. The action was terrific! Better than Tom Cruise's Knight and Day - better premise. And the dancing was over the top. I love to dance too! Make more of these movies. You're a real star. Your co-star was good as well. Hrithik, II see good things ahead for you - your humility will carry you far. Your movies have a redemptive quality about them - you take care of those you care about. Would like to meet you some day.Thanks for the quality entertainment. It's as good as what we put out in the states - even better.Phyllis Little

It was all I expected and more. I play it for the ladies I wax so that they are distracted by the good looking people and the music and don't notice so much what I am up to! Brava!

Questo film mi è piaciuto molto. bellissimo. La storia molto bella... ottimo DVD BlurayConsegna amazon super veloce..

Loved this movie, so much better than Tom Cruise version of Knight and Day. Combination of comedy, romance, adventure and thriller, worth every cent, love Hrithik Roshan as an actor

I love this movie, I saw it at the cinema and just had to buy my own copy. Hrithik Roshan is "perfect" and the lead actress is good. The plot has similarities with "Knight and Day" which is a movie that I also loved.

This is the best Hrithic Roshan film since Doom 2. All of the romance, excitement and dancing that we expect and want from this actor.