Socha na thaa, Jab We Met, Love Aaj Kal and now Rockstar, things seem to be going downhill for the pseudo-rockstar looking director “Imtiaaz”. With great power comes great pride and self-indulgence. And he seems to be getting too full of himself. 2 Critical mistakes have cost him, what could have been a good film.

Rockstar is not a bad concept. It’s not even a bad film. It’s just a frustrating one. Its songs are good (crucial for a musical), it has a decent first half and has a powerful actor portraying the central character. Also the cinematographer has really captured the beauty of Delhi, Kashmir and Prague well.  But having a confusing / half baked story (told in a confusing manner) and a leading lady who can’t act for nuts, Imtiaaz has spoilt the honest efforts of the others.

The film is about a boy who wants to be a musician, his tryst with love, his angst, his journey to being a troubled genius, his fame, his infamy and a lot more confusion. Well, I will not talk about the Girl in his life, because if the Director doesn’t think that she is important, why should I?

It’s surprising how our directors go around the world to find pretty faced actors who cannot act, when our industry is already full to the brim with them! And seriously, it’s not Nargis Fakhri’s fault. She does her best in her complex role, but unfortunately falls short by a mile. Imtiaaz has this fetish of casting these good looking videsi girls. Come on Imtiaaz, concentrate and leave your fetish behind. A film cast well, is half done.

The second problem is the self-indulgence. Imtiaaz takes the audience for granted and dives into a long drawn convoluted love story. Along the way the Rockstar becomes damn famous, but you don’t really know how and why. He is supposed to be a genius, but he doesn’t show signs of really loving his art. His family decides to throw him out one day and never looks back. The love of his life is dying, but his touch just infuses life in her. No explanations are necessary. It’s love. It’s his angst that takes him to rock-stardom. The Rockstar is confused, so is the movie and so is half the audience. The screenplay is also jumbled and unnecessarily so. The story moves back and forth confusingly and infact takes away from the depth of the scenes. It's real hara-kiri at the editing table.

The saving grace is a few songs and ofcourse, Ranbir. He has excellent screen presence and dives into the role whole-heartedly. His dialogue delivery, expressions are precise and endearing. His angst believable.

Rockstar sings “Saadaa Haq, Aithe Rakh”, what about the Audiences HAQ? Don’t we deserve more? Is this mature storytelling? Really not. It’s self indulgent and meandering. Oh Nadaan Imtiaaz, Ghar jaa jaa.

Rating: 4.5 / 10

Tintin has always been special to me. My dad was this BIG fan of the Boy Wonder and had got the whole set of his escapades. Watching him escape near-death situations was one of the most endearing phases of my life!  He was the master of escape artists always accompanied by his loyal companion “Snowy”(epitome of Man’s best friend).

When Spielberg took up the challenge of making the film, I firmly believed that there was no better man to bring this Legend alive and my belief was ratified yesterday. Spielberg has brought the comic book to life, like never before. It is true to the novel in all regards and our hero escapes near death situations every 5 minutes, but alas, by sticking to the true essence, Spielberg has lost some of its charm.   

So, Tintin during one of his shopping trips finds a beautiful Ship model “Unicorn”. As soon as he buys the same, all hell breaks loose. He gets involved in a battle of revenge and along the way meets Captain Haddock. Their adventure involves action sequences in a boat, in a ship, on a plane, in a desert, on an island and finally, they stumble upon the secret of the Unicorn and Red Rackham’s treasure.

First of all, the movie is spectacular. The intricacy of the story-boarding is phenomenal. But that is what you expect from Spielberg, edge of the scene action sequences with WIT. This is where the movie scores BIG time. Unfortunately, the useless 3D experience in India spoils half the fun. Tintin, like in the comic, is the serious guy surrounded by buffoons! So, Snowy and Captain Haddock provide the much needed comic relief. The comedy is situational and not forced.

Alas, there is a problem with the movie. If you haven’t read the book and are not connected to the characters, there is very little emotion in the film to really bridge that gap. Tompson and Thompson disappoint the most, as their buffoonery does not come alive. It’s just a good, old-fashioned, HOLD-ON-TO-YOUR-SEAT fun ride and that’s it. So go on, coz “Billions of Blue Blistering Barnacles”, it’s almost there!

Rating: 6.5 / 10