Review - 99: a good knock even if not a century

99

wogma rating: Add to 'must watch' list ^(?)

quick review:

A match-winner only if the runs didn't dry up in bits and parts. The climax however, is tied up pretty well and that's what sets it apart from other comedy films. The wit and silliness keep the flow of chuckles running through.

Director: Raj Nidimoru , Krishna D K

Cast: Boman Irani, Kunal Khemu, Soha Ali Khan, Cyrus Broacha

Running time: 120 minutes

Genres: Comedy, Crime

More Movie Info

Dhak-a-chik-rap-a-chik-dhak-a-chik-dhak

Absolutely had to let you know how excited I am about Hindi movies being back in the theaters!!! And another...

Dhak-a-chik-rap-a-chik-dhak-a-chik-dhak

...because it was a pretty good restart. Nothing beats a few good hearty laughs. And this was pleasantly surprising too, considering the promos made it look like a slapstick affair. To start with, the color palette used sets it apart from the otherwise unnaturally bright comedies. Then the background music is very well done too and not loud at all. And these things were good enough to make-up for Kunal Khemu's non-voiceover voice and the lousy chase scene. I was almost sure these things would change for the worse after the titles, but the titles themselves were pretty creative and adorable. And the story line started getting interesting too.

It ain't all rosy, though. The romantic bits drag a fair deal and a few lines intended to be funny fall flat. But most of the silly bits are giggle-worthy and some of the lines are actually witty or insightful or both. It helps that Cyrus Broacha is kept in tight rein - we are not subjected to his toilet-sexual-humor and he is not allowed to get loud. Kunal Khemu also doesn't annoy as much and goes through his functions without deserving either claps or slaps. This is an obvious cakewalk for Boman Irani. I absolutely enjoyed Amit Mistry's comic timing. Oh yeah, there's Soha Ali Khan too, the functional eye-candy.

With all these positives and negatives delicately balanced, the final tilt towards the positive is most certainly the climax. Everything is neatly tied up in a quick wrap-up, and yet it doesn't feel like it came too soon. Also it maintains the tone of the film and there aren't any character transformations which make you go "yeah, right!"

Interestingly, the characters don't have any qualms cheating and are unabashedly aspiring for the big buck. They are all similar in their traits and goals, and they are all pretty much flat. Except for a lesson or two learnt most of them start and end at pretty much the same place. Yet it doesn't get boring because each one is a different shade of grey.

I am thrilled with the way the fresh inflow of films has begun. A nice, light-weight, witty entertainer.

- meeta, a part of the audience

28 reviewers^(?) - 22 yays 5 so-so 1 nays

Warning: clicking on "full review" will take you to an external website that could contain spoilers.

Thumbs up, by Noyon Jyoti Parasara, AOL INDIA : ...This movie has enough spunk in it to not just get you back to the theatres but also fulfill your expectations... full review

Thumbs up, by Nikhil Kumar, Apun Ka Choice : ...99’ turns out to be a total paisa vasool film not just for its characters but also for audiences.... full review

Thumbs up, bigoye.com : ...The screenplay and witty dialogues are the high points of the film.... full review

Thumbs up, by Daliya Ghose, Bollywood Mantra : ...At times, you may feel it is bit stretching but the next moment another interesting incident holds your interest.... full review

Thumbs up, by Abhishek Mande, Buzz18 : ...99 is a classic example of a comic thriller.... full review

Thumbs up, by Vedavyasa Bhat, DearCinema : ...99 is above an average fare from the debutant film-makers.... full review

Thumbs up, by Udita Jhunjhunwala, DNA : ...Directors Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK (Flavors) dish out a fairly stylish product.... full review

Thumbs up, Full2 Faltu : ...The director duo of Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK have relied on a good script for making a good movie.... full review

Thumbs up, by Jaiwantika Dutta - Dhupkar, Fully Hyderabad : ...To give credit where credit is due, 99 uses sufficient thrill and comedy to prevent itself from falling... full review

Thumbs up, by Taran Adarsh, IndiaFM : ...99 is smart, good looking and interesting, in parts.... full review

Thumbs up, by Gaurav Malani, indiatimes : ... 99 makes way for 100% entertainment.... full review

Thumbs up, Movie Talkies : ...Made in a lighter vein, the film explores the rich dreams of a bunch of gamblers and wannabes... full review

Thumbs up, by Subhash K Jha, Now Running.com : ..."99" is not the film you'd have liked to see after such a long period of deprivation... full review

Thumbs up, by Udta Haathi, Passion for Cinema : ...The best part of the movie would have to be a combination of cast and the intrinsic humour embedded into the characters.... full review

Thumbs up, by Arthi V, Passion for Cinema : ...A definitive plot that has its intent right.... full review

Thumbs up, by Goher Iqbal Punn, Radio Sargam : ...The story is catchy and interesting.... full review

Thumbs up, by Sampurn, real bollywoood : ...The film’s treatment is fresh and it keeps you hooked throughout.... full review

Thumbs up, by Aseem Chabbra, Rediff : ...The film's violence is one of its thoroughly enjoyable charms... full review

Thumbs up, by Sonia Chopra, Sify Movies : ...The pace of the story is relaxed, but that works largely.... full review

Thumbs up, by Aakar Patel, StarBoxOffice : ...It's a good reason to get back into multiplexes again.... full review

Thumbs up, by Nikhat Kazmi, Times of India : ...It views the underbelly of Indian crime and cricket with a tangy, tongue-in-cheek tenor that ensures you never really lose the plot... full review

So-So, by Phylis J Iqbal, desi hits : ...This is strictly business throughout with the right amount of romance and comedy... full review

So-So, by Aniruddha Guha, DNA : ...99 is one of those films that has all the ingredients to make a mark in a big way, but still has something missing.... full review

So-So, by Martin D'Souza, Glamsham.com : ...It's a hotchpotch of scenes, which try in vain to catch up with the plot.... full review

So-So, by Elvis D'Silva, Rediff : ...99 is not a bad film, but it is not a good film either... full review

So-So, SmasHits.com : ...99 falls well short of worthwhile content for an eager audience.... full review

Thumbs down, Upper Stall : ...The film could have done with some drastic trimming on the editing table.... full review

Twitter reviews for this movie are not available.

2 readers - 2 yays 0 so-so 0 nays

Yay! Thumbs Up, by JJ : 100

Yay! Thumbs Up, by Priya

This page has additional observations, other than the ones noted in the main review.

Plot Summary

In 1999, when mobile phones and match-fixing in cricket were the talk of the town, two high-nosed but small-game crooks Sachin (Kunal Khemu) met Rahul (Boman Irani). Alongside was Zaramud (Cyrus Broacha) making a fool of himself. They all get in a big soup together. See how they wade their way through.