Ok...first off...let me say it's just not fair to compare the new version of Don to the original. You just can't ..that was a different time, different era.So..let's take an objective view at Farhan Akhtar's Don...Honestly and objectively...I didn't like it.Ever since Dil To Pagal Hai, people's expectations of Farhan Akhtar have been sky high.Yet, he hasn't managed to get re-create that sort of magic. Even Lakshay wasn't his best work.But with Don, he seems lost, caught between trying to stay true to the original and making it 'new'. As a result, the movie seems to lack direction. A better script would've helped too. Some scenes don't make sense (will give examples later on).The movie starts off well, the action sequence is entertaining and choreographed real well.In fact, throughout the movie, all action sequences, the fights involving both Shah Rukh as well as Priyanka Chopra are excellent.But as the movie goes on...it seems to lose it's appeal. The audience is confused to what is going on as the story just seems to be going ahead without much purpose.And hence the mistakes/illogical parts of the story.- When Jasjit's (Arjun Rampal) family is kidnapped, how does a computer technician suddenly manage to scale tall buildings, not to mention know how to break into high security offices??
- When confronting DeSilva (Boman Irani) in his room , how in his right sense would let a police officer leave and expect him not only to come back , but to come back without enough backup to blow his head off??? I mean..the fact that he says "i'll wait for you here.." Sheesh!!
- No where in the movie does anyone explain how Boman Irani manages his double identity.
The movie is filled with these little bits which, because they are so illogical, are very annoying.The songs are seriously worthless...the movie would've been better off without them.The song ...'Khaike Paan Banaras Wala'...a classic in the original movie seems like it was forced to be put in the movie. The sequence leading up to the song seemsBut I have to admit, I loved the ending..it was a twist which i never saw coming. This from someone who guessed the entire story of 'Bluffmaster' by the intermission.Ok..so let's get to the characters...
First off..the main character...Don..in this case Shah Rukh Khan...just doesn't manage to give you the impression that he's the world's best villain... he just does not have that commanding presence...he was actually better in Baazigar...Even as Vijay...he fails. He did a better job as the 'off the street' character in 'Shakti'.And whoever dressed him for the movie needs to take a good hard look at his/her creation because it was just ridiculous.
Priyanka Chopra does a decent job..she looks good..delivers her dialogs on cue and kicks some serious ass...
Boman Irani..he gets better with every role. The man is as versatile as he is creative. He can do any role asked of him. My respect for the man as an actor continues to grow.
The rest don't actually have much of a role ...so...let's just say that they are adequate.
Overall...let's say it's worth a watch...but i wouldn't get my hopes too high.
V