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EDITOR'S PICK
Rating: ****
When the makers of a film proudly proclaim their product to be at par with their
Hollywood counterparts, one is bound to be sceptical. More so because
Blue is an action film, that too set underwater, which is not just a
first in Bollywood but also a rarity in Hollywood.
So does Blue set new standards for Bollywood action movies? Does it
actually get into the underbelly of the sea and show a world hitherto
unexplored? The answer is yes.
Let`s put it this way - Blue may not be the mind-blowing commercial
action thriller that you would have ever seen. However, it certainly is the most
innovative attempt that deserves to be acknowledged and lauded.
Action is truly the USP of the film and keeps the momentum going for
Blue due to which one doesn`t quite miss the presence of a solid
storyline.
From first till the last frame, it`s the amalgamation of action and an unknown
world (under the sea) which brings in a novelty factor.
For those hunting for a storyline, Blue actually begins and ends at
the basic synopsis level. Mr. Richie Rich Akshay Kumar wants a treasure to be
explored and entices his employee and friend Sanjay Dutt with tempting offers.
Dutt is reluctant to take that dive into the sea even though his girlfriend Lara
Dutta and brother Zayed Khan do present him enough reasons to take the plunge.
Eventually he relents and the journey of Blue begins. Simple.
There are five key action sequences that keep the pace up for the film. Each of
the three bike sequences featuring Zayed become better and better and in fact
his introduction a la `Fast and the Furious` is something unique for an Indian
film.
The boxing ring sequence featuring Sanjay and Akshay does hint of Broken
Arrow, though it works in establishing their characters. Most importantly,
the entire underwater hunt sequence is a breathtaking affair.
Anthony D`Souza has a strong eye for visuals and that shows. Technically,
whether it is camerawork or sound, Blue bears an international feel.
Whether it`s Sanjay or Akshay, the revelation about their past isn`t quite
hammer strong, even though convincing.
Moreover, even though the film is a multi starrer, one does expect Akshay to be
on the forefront. However, for a change, a film featuring him does allow equal
screen space for other actors as well.
As for Lara and Katrina Kaif, their presence is required to make the film look
good and in that aspect, they do well.
In a nutshell, Blue is made for those who want pulsating action,
innovative stunts, glamour and some unbelievable moments that defy logic.
It mainly caters to the youth that just want some non stop action in those two
hours while keeping James Bond movies in mind.
The kind of films where bikes are meant to race through traffic, cars are meant
to explode, women are meant to bring on a glamour quotient, villains are meant
to be suave, action is meant to belong to never-seen-before variety and
technical aspects are meant to be superior to the best.
250ft deep lies the secret of Blue. Treasure hunters come in droves, lured by tales of a fabled treasure. But no one has ever returned from the deadly depths of the Pacific Ocean; leaving behind a bloody trail and even more intriguing rumours...For not only is the treasure inaccessble; it`s guarded night and day by deadly sharks.
Aarav, Sagar and Sam - three men with differing motives - find themselves diving deep into these murky depths - hunt for the treasure.
For wealthy Aarav, It`s about the intoxicating high of more money and morerisk.
For honest Sagar, it`s only about saving his girlfriend Mona and his brother.
For dare devil Sam, It`s simply a matter of life and death - his own.
As emotions run highh and motives run deep, the dark side of human nature lays bared. And hundreds of feet underwater, Aarav, Sagar and Sam grapple, initially with sharks, and then with the demons of conscious...