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Kites - Preview
Kites
NOT A REVIEW - just being wary of the hype and pressure…
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The first theatrical promo of the film was scheduled to coincide with Valentine's day. That, right there, defines the genre and target audience. And once you have taken a look at that promo, you know this Hrithik-starrer is a combination of what he's done so far - action and romance. Romance, thrill, suspense, Hrithik, Spanish actress, Roshan production - the "satisfaction guaranteed - at least for the eyes" commitment can be easily taken for granted.
I'd be more than happy to ignore the meek attempt at humor, if the makers have promised to do the same.
However, while watching the kites flying in the other promo, I couldn't help but think - Kites seem to be the new flowers.
Remember the flowers romancing each other on the entire screen to avoid showing the human lead couple getting too romantic for our morals?
Turns out there is more to the name than the trailers make out to be. While the concept seems random in producer-writer Rakesh Roshan's initial words -
The idea for Kites came to me when I was gazing at the sky and saw two kites flying. It looked very romantic. It was very intriguing--the way they came close, played, almost embraced each other and then drew apart. Unaware that someone else was pulling the strings and could cut them loose. I sat down and penned a story around this idea.
When director, Anurag Basu, explains the metaphor in relation to the lead characters, it gets surprisingly interesting. As in, one doesn't expect too much depth from and action chick-flick, however romantic they might try to make it. But, this quote, reminded me of some of the lovely insights that the director's earlier venture Life in a…Metro
Kites fly against the wind and not with it, stronger the wind blows, higher the kites fly…Our protagonists in the movie too face obstacles; their love grows deeper with every increasing obstacle.
Wowsie wow!! Philosophy with romance and action. Can this really be true? And then add to the mix, comments from Hrithik that actually go beyond his extra-chiseled overtly-Greek-God looks.
We do not want to be within the safety zone influenced by manipulative commercial thinking.
This is very encouraging for me as a cinema-lover, whether or not I'm a "fan", a main-stream actor, is coming back after 3.5 years and is not interested in enticing his audience with mere gimmicks. And though this comment from him might sound pretty childish and exposes the fact the limited philosophy our man is exposed to, it is rather endearing -
I can't multi-task. When I'm doing one film, I go completely into it and give my heart and soul to it. I got this inspiration from the Tinkle comic books that I used to read as a child
But, let's not get delusional. Mainstream cinema it is. There's a Spanish actress and an Australian hunk playing the villain. Though the makers do claim that those are not meant to be crowd-pullers. Also, I can't keep myself from giving him credit for giving us credit -
With so much of exposure, the audiences' taste is constantly changing. We take the masses for granted but they are smarter than any filmmaker.
Yes, the audience is patiently waiting for a successful release from a top star for too long now. And competing for the wait is the box-office's patience to go ting-ting with a bang. The makers are going all out and making their best effort in trying to satisfy both. Not only the Indian audiences and distributors, but also across oceans, what with the first look being released at nothing less than the Cannes Film Festival, itself. The hope of course is that the film will appeal to people across cultures and ethnicity and will hopefully change the way people look at Indian cinema in the overseas .
In keeping with that theme, there are a couple of new elements in the music too. At Hrithik's insistence, music director, Rajesh Roshan had to treat his ears to trance music. Also, the wait to hear Hrithik sing, is over. We wouldn't expect him to be left behind after other "stars" have given it a shot, right? Watching Rakesh Roshan talk about his son's singing skills, it sounds like it is one of the film's USPs.
While there are people who didn't enjoy the outcome of the entire musical departments to the last bit, there are others who have simply fallen in love with the same.
Well, the wait will soon be over, for Kites is slated for release on 21st May, 2010
Kites - Movie Details
- Official Sites: Website
- Banner: Filmkraft Productions Pvt Ltd, Big Pictures
- Producer: Rakesh Roshan, Sunaina Roshan
- Director: Anurag Basu
![[Has twitter account]](/site_media/images/icons/twitter_small.png)
- Lead Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Barbara Mori, Kabir Bedi, Kangna Ranaut, Nick Brown
- Cinematography: Ayananka Bose
- Music Director: Rajesh Roshan
- Running time: 120 minutes
- Reviewer: meetu
- Categories: Hindi Movies
- Genres: Action, Romance
Kites - Trailer
Kites - All reviews summary
External Reviews
60 reviewers have given Kites an average rating of 1.9/5.0. 13 yays, 28 nays, 19 so-so. See all external reviews »
Comments (39)
To borrow from a friend's twitter feed...
Hrithik calls Kites Truly World Cinema...Truly=whatever papa says; world=barbara mori+some gora extras; cinema=shot by a camera.
:D
It seems to be a great movie with awesome dance from Bollywood's best dance.
@Bollyfan Haven't our movies made us into major cynics!
Here is a review of the film I found (via IMDB)
http://showbizcafe.com/en/reviews/kites/403
Leaving the review aside, I am excited for this movie. Rakesh Roshan might not make path breaking movies, but he does make them very enjoyable. However, it is the prospect that Anurgag Basu at the helm of affairs that excites me - he is not known to make "proper masala movies".
Let's see what we get - I do anticipate an immensely enjoyable affair at least.
@Rahul my problem is with the expectations the hype creates. Sometimes I feel bad for the films, since it is not possible to beat the expectations, even if otherwise it would have been good....
@meetu - There have been very good movies which have gone unnoticed (commercially) because of a lack of hype.
I have no idea as to the amount of TV time the trailers are currently enjoying in India so I do not know whether they have overdone it. Regardless, a Hrithik movie after 2.5 years was going to create a lot of hype anyways. The fact that it is a home production (brilliant commercial track record) only serves to add to the amount of expectations. Add a critically accliamed director in the mix and you know where we are heading.
In short - expectations are (and were bound to be) sky high.
That said, I personally believe that with such foundations if you are not able to deliver a good product which meets the audience's expectations you have failed at your task. If the movie is good, it will succeed.
@Rahul "Everything in moderation" would be asking for too much, I guess. Its the excess that creates excessive expectations. I see and here Hrithik everywhere advertising Provogue and listening to songs of "Kaho no pyaar hai" on radio. Could easily get overwhelming if expectations are not in check.
There is a reason so much hype is generated by filmmakers. Bulk of the profits are made in the first 1-2 weeks run in multiplexes. Hype helps tremendously in that
@Reviewgang I'm not saying they do it without reason, all I'm saying is it increases expectations which might ruin a film for someone who might otherwise liked it.
Had to post this - TOI rips it apart.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Entertainment/Movie-Reviews/Hindi/Kites/articleshow/5948562.cms
@Rahul and i've done pretty much the same. And i concede, for this one, the expectations won't make a good film seem ok. It will most likely, just disappoint the people who expected magnificence.
Must say I am uber disappointed - I was expecting much, much more. Ah well - I think I will still watch it. Am home for the summer - need something to watch. :P
I know many people will watch it in theaters despite the "o-kay" reviews. Go right ahead and let us know what you think.
I think I'll skip this movie now... may be I'll wait for the official DVD to release and then watch it... @meetu: how about wathing it on DVD...at least is it worth that?
@Wardhaman good call. Hmmm...yeah it might be a one time lazy Sunday watch. Especially if you have a good sized TV with a decent sound system.
Just as was being expected...For Bollywood going international means shooting out there, like them and with them...now, why should the Goras pay to watch this when they have seen such sleek car chases and stunts umpteenth times in their films....
Anyway I think the Indian audience will still lap it up just like they did with Dhoom 2...
So, the wait for a decent film this year becomes longer. Even though I always make it a point to wait for the reviews of hyped/over-hyped films, this time, I was getting a bit carried away. Good that the tickets were sold out and I couldn't book them :).
Hopefully, Rajneeti will be a decent film... in fact, a must-watch (am I getting carried away again??? :P)
@meetu:
If it is still in the cinemas by the time I get home, I will watch it. :P
hi meetu watched the movie yesterday and must say your review is perfect.The screenplay(especially the second half)was dissapointing.Both Hritik and Barbara look gud, apart from that there's nothing in the movie.people in the theater were actually laughing by the time end credits rolled.Throughly dissapointed to know that it took them two yrs to cum up with such a film.
Felt sorry for Kangana who was wasted in the film.But i guess people like me(htitik fans) will still go to watch the movie as its holiday season and not much competition for this film in the next 2 weeks.
I'm a bit confused. It is getting fair reviews abroad, while "not so great" reviews in India. Is it specifically meant for the foreign audience or what?
@ Meetu.. Go to hell.. u don hav a taste.. or mayb u r frustated with life..
Kites is awesome.. Full of positiev energy.. Awesome music.. dance.. spanish is sexy.. mori is hot.. hrithik is superb.. Las Vegas is awesome.. Nice movie overall..
@J(uncle-MIB-wale): bas itna bolo naa ki tum ko pasand aayi, yeh meetu ko kos rahe ho. Yeh galat hai, get well soon, mamu.
@meetu: Thank God, I don't have a TV. Hype se bach gaya. But jab story se jyada, Barbara aunty pe focus ho (public-city me) toh kuch naa kuch locha hona hi maangta naa.
@J(uncle-MIB-wale):[Correction] bas itna bolo naa ki tum ko pasand aayi, yeh meetu ko KYUN kos rahe ho? Yeh galat hai, get well soon, mamu.
@Jitaditya this once, i think this won't happen. I present Drona and Blue as evidence.
@moviebhakt i think the trick would be not to expect anything at all and just go with the flow.
@lost in confusion is it? Will do a complete rundown on Monday, so we'll know.
@Dattaprasad thank you ;) But what's with uncle-MIB-wale?
@meetu: So far, it surely seems that we Indians weren't the target audience. Most of those I know are saying that it is not recommendable.
And regarding great reviews abroad, my observation there is based on Hrithik's tweets.
KITES movie, finally the long wait for Hrithik Roshan fans is over. With this action packed romantic thriller, Hrithik Roshan has made his debut in Hollywood. Kites movie story is not different, we have already seen many films on this very own concept. What that makes a difference in this movie is its taking, the action scenes, and the chemistry. Kites music, especially Kites background music has been excellent. Many known reviewers from India is slightly under negative side. But the International reviewers has given Kites good marks, and some of famous English movie sites lauded Hrithik Roshan as ‘a Man with green eyes and near divine looks’! Some question left after viewing is that, “Is this what a common man is looking for in one of the most awaited movies of the year? Isn’t it a responsibility of the makers to entertain us along with these additional added elements in the script? Do we visit the theater only to see some new foreign locations, few good action scenes on the screen and a speedy thriling love (without depth). Kites is visually stunning and makes a sweeping impact, but it totters in its writing department.
Hrithik is unbeatable and that's the truth. Very few actors can rise above the script and Hrithik is one of them. He's the lifeline of this film. Barbara Mori looks perfect for her part, but appears slightly mature at some places. Even though the film is nice comparing the repeadted stuffs in bollywood & one of the best movies released yet. If you are going to watch just go and watch, and be in the film, not be with your friends.
@meetu: 'uncle MIB wale' ka funda yeh hai ki MIB movie me Will Smith chacha ka naam bhi 'J' hi tha.
@lost in confusion, interesting study this could become...
@Dattaprasad, but then why call J, 'uncle MIB wale', you could say, 'dadaji Kites wale', no? :P He'd be so happy!!
@meetu: Didn't see Kites, yet. Didn't get that Dadaji one... Seriously, is there a character named 'J' in that?
Just read today that Barbara memsaab is planning to leave India soon.. Reason?? India is not allowing Kites to soar higher :)
Sahi mein, hum logo ka kuchh nahi ho sakta :P
Agree with your review a hundred percent. If I were as analytical and articulate, it could have been written by me.
Hi there :-) this is the first time I've come accross this site. It's simply perrrrfect, will surely spread the word around for those who still want the suspense of the climax. I too recently watched Kites and like everyone else, a tad bit dissappointed with the final product. Of course Hrithik looked like a Greek god descended from the heavens to save a very hot damsel in distress but it felt more like a kid brother looking out for his elder sister. The chemistry level was -40 degrees Celcius, in the scene where they come closer to kiss right outside her apartment, invoked absolutely nothing inside me. Unlike in Dil To Pagal Hain when Shah Rukh Khan finds Madhuri's bangle and invites her closer...aur paas...aur paas...just before they start belting out Dholna. Kites was just too thanda for me inspite of all that smooching.
Then there was the half baked love angle of the lead pair, why exactly did they fall in love and how? This was hardly developed and the entire movie lies on the basis of the true love that 2 people share for each other, forsaking the whole world. Based on that reasoning, the ending of the film is beyond my comprehension. How can I or anyone else connect with the sacrifice Linda/Natassha made?
I enjoyed this movie, quite nice actually. Yay from me :-)
overall i like the actors played their roll very well, they have put all the efforts but some places felt uncommon, like suddenly Hritik foll in love with Barbara.
@Samir thank you ji!
@Jadoo girl may you live longer and have many many friends :D
@bach that's cool!
@Gaurang oh well to each his own, like we say here.
How many reviews do you look at before you decide to pay to see the movie?
@Dave well i don't read any reviews before watching a film. I go through them later for the purpose of the 'external reviews' section.
I'm usually not a big fan of this kinds of movies, but I have to say that I like Kites a lot. I was traveling on a reisen malta trip with my friends from India and we decided to watch the movie. I did not expect it, but it was really good. 4 out of 5 from me.
Movie should be in Hindi, common people couldn't the french language.
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