Video Review: "Don 2" (2011)

Hi everyone!

If you're a Shahrukh Khan fan, then you won't want to miss "Don 2" Farhan Ahktar's rousing and rollicking sequel to the hit 2006 Bollywood action-thriller "Don." SRK and the lovely-as-always Priyanka Chopra are back. This time around, the action centers on a very elaborate bank heist in Berlin. I won't give away too much of the plot because 1) I don't want to deprive you of experiencing the many twists, turns, and surprises it holds in store, and 2) the whole thing is put together so slickly and moves so fast that I don't think I even grasped everything that was going on, at least not on a single viewing.

"Don 2" is big old-fashioned popcorn movie fun. The production values are top-of-line and are more than comparable to any Hollywood film of a similar genre. There are car chases, shoot-outs, jaw-dropping action sequences, and cheese galore. SRK clearly is having the time of his life. It's evident why he is India's biggest film star, (he has mass popular appeal), though I have to admit, I've never really found him all that great of an actor. If we're talking Bollywood I've always preferred Aamir Khan and Saif Ali Khan. I recently saw Saif's latest spy caper "Agent Vinod" (2012) which I admit I actually liked even more than "Don 2." What appealed to me most about "Agent Vinod" was its tongue-in-cheek send-up of 1970s action movies and, most obviously, James Bond. I also think Saif and Aamir are more subtle and understated in their acting approach. While SRK genuinely moved me to tears in "My Name is Khan" and "Kal Ho Na Ho" (Tomorrow May Never Come), typically I find him a little too emotive for my tastes...and he certainly chews the scenery in every scene he's in, although it works for him in "Don 2."

And while Priyanka Chopra is a better actress than what she's given to do here, she is more than adequate as Roma, the Interpol agent betrayed by Don in the first film who is now hell-bent on putting him behind bars. Lara Dutta also appears in a smallish role as Ayesha, Don's moll, and her item number with SRK 'Zara Dil Ko Thaam Lo,' is not only fun to watch but it kind moves the plot along, which is more than you can say for most such numbers.

At its best, "Don 2" recalls such Hollywood franchises as "Mission: Impossible" and especially "Ocean's Eleven." At its worst, it's a fast-paced, gorgeously shot 2-1/2 hour's entertainment. Don't try to figure it all out. Just sit back and enjoy. And yes, the ending leaves room for another sequel.

Ciao.