New York

New York had the effect that a movie like Taare Zameen Par had: not expected much, yet looking forward to it, because it's the first worthy movie that has come out after the much-agonizing 2 month movie ban. The cast was top class: Niel Nitin Mukesh of Johnny Gaddar fame, Katrina Kaif of the Singh is Kinng fame, and John Abraham of the Dhoom fame. Not to forget the return of Slumdog Millionaire's Irrfan Khan, again as a police officer, no, wait, the FBI. Three friends, ready to face the world... and then the world changed. This is the tagline. It was New York that had changed in the movie. The world was nowhere in sight. The script was good, light and humorous. Katrina's performance was amazing, considering that she doesn't know how to act. John was Good, and for a change so was Niel. Irrfan had that humorous touch in his voice that many love. The direction is smooth, but too much slow motion at times. The cinematography is mind-blowing. Everything is beautifully captured. Editing is also smooth. The soundtrack is good, specially the Hai Junoon track. Thank god there are no dance sequences. They would have totally spoiled it up. New York is one of those movies that tried very hard to strike a message, but fails. Don't get me wrong: the movie is not bad. It's another good film under the Yash Raj Banner, and it almost fully satisfies the movie-hungry person who has been hungry for 2 months, but, like Rang De Basanti, it's not able to strike a chord as a movie of it's genre should. What they've shown is fact, no doubt, but doesn't feel true. Maybe that's why. There was something lacking in the script, I'm sure, though it's really not spot-able!! I gave it a 7/10, because it didn't work that good for me. But I'm sure many will give it an 8, 9 or even 10. I'm hoping it's average to linger in the 7 point somethings. Not below that. Happy viewing.

I was actually very keen to watch the movie as the promos were nice and fresh. Just watched it yesterday night on the first day of its release and it lived up to my expectations. the movie is not about the 9/11 ( as the newspapers suggested ) but is about the impact and hardships that follow. Kabir Khan has done a nice job, this one is much better than " Kabul express ". Katrina kaif is stunningly beautiful and does justice to her role. john abraham has done an awesome work, the scenes shown in the promo with john naked and locked up are indeed very intriguing. Niel nitin mukesh has indeed added a nice perspective to the movie. his acting is also up to the mark..... irrfan is as usual great. the storyline and editing may have been a little off the mark but all in all it is a nice film and should be seen.

An eye for an eye will make whole world blind. Although the peace Guru Mahatma Gandhi said these inspirational words decades ago but they still hold the same meaning and important in this world of today. Resolution for a problem is only possible when either side of conflict is ready to understand the stand of other. If you look around the world of today, all the long running conflicts are those where neither side is ready to understand other's stand. Be it Indo-Pak, Israel-Palestine or the latest America-rest of world. New York is not a simple movie, its bird's eye view of the on-going racial conflict between Islamic radicals and US government. For the very first time after watching this movie you might have your sympathy for both sides of conflict and apathy towards the people who are unnecessarily igniting this not so necessary conflict into a war zone. Movie starts in backdrop of an undercover operation to foil the ploy of yet another terrorist strike on US soil. As the series of events start taking shape it becomes quite vigilant that the penultimate end would be highly engrossed with emotions and thought provoking, for a change a complete contrast to usual bollywood flicks. This movie is a visual representation for aftermath of 9/11 as to where US stands. It shows their amateur approach to start with resolving the conflict which later puts them into trouble. It shows the wrath and agony of people who were detained after 9/11 for no reason, tortured, harassed and molestated which later provoked them to take avenge towards this injustice against a specific race. This is far superior movie to be just called a bollywood masala movie, it's a retrospective answer to many unanswered questions to both US and Islamic extremists. Performance wise it's difficult to choose if John was superior or Neil. Both have surely performed one of their best for many years to come. John's transformation from a true patriot to terrorist is not only a heart warming cliché for those who had really gone through such horrifying times but it also brings sympathy for those people who got mislead to path of destruction and revenge. On the other hand Neil played touch perfection role of a friend who lets himself on line of fire just to see well being of his loved one. The passion of his love towards Maya (Katrina) earlier and later his compassion to the same woman just to see her happy. His portrayal of a helpless person under adverse circumstances being pulled by his moral & ethics and trust & honesty towards his friends. He played this entangled role better to anybody, kudos to these two stars for putting such great performance. Katrina has finally arrived to acting for good. Her unquestionable love and care towards Sameer (John) is really touching. Every tear she drops for him is worth it, a classy performance from her too. Last but not the least Irfaan Khan who knows how to perform, he makes all the roles he play one for him. His implacable and flawless acting skills make him one of the best contemporary actors India has produced in recent times. Kabir Khan's approach as director is impressive, first he took Afghanistan as his subject in Kabul Express and now the more controversial post 9/11 issue and both times he did complete justice to the subjects. Yaaron song is surely going to be rhymed for years to come and so the movie will be remembered as one of the true portrayal of post 9/11 aftermath. Don't expect an entertainer while you go watching this one, I am sure you would be disappointed but it's worth to be seen.

This film had a good message and was well directed. The entire cast gave great performances--even Katrina, who is known for her poor performances. While I don't condone the actions of either terrorists or the U.S. government, I do agree that we have to grow up and stop playing the blame-game or behaving like schoolchildren in a playground fight--violence in return for violence--each attack more vicious and stronger than the one before. Who knows who is responsible--jihadis-->Guantanamo Bay-->Osama-->Cold War-->?? We need to stop spreading hatred, understand other cultures, and become better diplomats for a hopeful, albeit slow, recovery to humanity and justice.

Yashraj is losing its grip. Poor story line, completely predictable by any avid movie goer. Only saving grace is JUNOON and its remix .. Very well done but otherwise strictly DVD material !! Neil you have the looks but sadly no talent in. John is way smarter in this new role as for Kats and Irfaan they have nothing to much to do. 2 - 3 cocky dialogs that's it. Watch if u have nothing to do this weekend..I put my money on HANGOVER - much more classy .. Do not waste Rs280 at PVR Bombay not worth it. Cheers !! c ya next weekend. Kambakth Ishq i heard is also not much great shakes either. By the way KJ ( Karan Johar ) is also coming with his very own sweet version of New york !! Now that's certainly interesting !!

this was a very sad but great movie i don't know it could be more on the actuality side of things. I mean i don't want the FBI or HLS breaking down my front door of my house. but who really knows. anyway great story the producers were amazing at presenting this. had great acting. samir was a great choice for his roll i think that he should have been a older guy maybe a professor that would have made a better story like a sleeper cell with a professor recruiting foreign students to plot and terrorize. the FBI agents were just stupid i mean who really would act like that. I think there should have been some more technology in this. I understand the budget was probably low and stuff but come on if a terrorist cell were actually working im sure they would be using some type of GPS or like a RFID or something to keep a track on everyone. any way good movie

I have gone for this movie because of its rave reviews but felt extremely cheated when i finished the movie.This was basically fanna meets khuda ke liye (a masterpiece).the idea may be right but the film has too much dramatic sequences which are totally not tolerable and digestible.moreover kabir khan,the director looses his tempo which he created a bit in Kaabul Express.The huge starcast have wasted by him. In my point of view when a filmmaker is making film on serious issues he/she must be cautious about the story line that it shouldn't look like superficial but every scene in this movie is as same as other Bollywood movies and very predictable. So, i think you may avoid it and wait till the yashraj have really come with better story line such as Chak De India but i don't feel it in near future by their seeing upcoming promos.

I did not expect much from 'New York'. A title like this always seems to be a pretentious lure to make a film look good or modern. And it was pretty ordinary and almost unwatchable when everything suggested the film would just be another regular fare - a romantic drama or something of this sort. There were continuous scenes with Irrfan Khan interrogating Neil Nitin Mukesh about something I did not even understand, and the film was going into numerous flashbacks which did not really make sense. I just felt this was a too early take-off on 'Slumdog Millionaire'. But I was completely surprised when the second half took a drastic, absolutely unexpected twist. From then on, there was no looking back. The film became thrilling, more interesting and pretty moving at the same time. Whatever one can say about the film, there was a very relevant message behind the entire story. The narrative revealed it through such terms as innocence and guilt, truth and untruth, justice and injustice, love and hate. All these antonyms swap places through the story of innocent civilians accused for no fault of their own post the 9/11 attacks. The result of this tragic incident made the lives of so many of them miserable, and the purpose of this film and its title eventually seem to be quite justified. The film is generally decently written, and Kabir Khan's direction is good (albeit inconsistent). The portrayal of New York before and after 9/11 may not be great, but still can be forgiven, although the entire story of three friends and a love triangle between the three is not really necessary and is poorly executed. The film has some good performances. John Abraham is convincing as Sam and the viewer may feel for him as he witnesses the emotionally destructive experience his character had to go through. Katrina Kaif is surprisingly passable as Sam's supportive wife. Irrfan Khan is unsurprisingly brilliant in a role which is not very significant but contributes to the film in its own way. However, Neil Nitin Mukesh is awfully miscast and is evidently struggling a lot with a role that seems to put too much pressure on his limited range of acting abilities. The film's music is very good. I do recommend you to watch New York. It is entertaining, although I wouldn't say it's a film that can be watched over and over again. I appreciate Kabir Khan for taking on a fairly risky subject and handling it with aplomb. Many other filmmakers would make it look overly banal and unconvincing, and though New York is not without its clichés and consistency is not the right word to describe it with, Khan succeeds in making an impressive film with a poor script which manages to move you at certain points.