Race 2
Year: 2013
Director: Abbas-Mastan
Cast: Saif Ali Khan, John Abraham, Deepika Padukone, Jacqueline Fernandez, Anil Kapoor, Amisha Patel

In 2008, director-duo Abbas-Mastan’s Race scored big at the box-office. No doubt, like all their films, Race used many Hollywood-‘inspirations’ but still it was a pacy, edgy thriller with clever twists and unexpected turns. So naturally there were plenty of expectations from this second installment of Race. But what did we get in the end?

What’s the plot?

A daredevil business tycoon (Saif Ali Khan) walks into Turkey and cons some shady operators out of big bucks. Using his ex-cop friend’s (Anil Kapoor) help, he entices a ruthless street fighter-turned-multi-millionaire gangster (John Abraham) into friendship and then offers him a mega-billion deal. The deal involves the heist of the legendary shroud of Tourin and selling it on the black market! Then there is also a small matter of wooing the gangster's half-sister (Deepika Padukone), while making eyes at his girl-friend (Jacqueline Fernandez)!

Of course, nothing is as seems on the exterior. There are hidden agendas, cameras and microphones aplenty. With both the tough, shrewd guys (and their sexy gals!) trying to outsmart each other at each step, who would win this race finally?

What’s hot?

·         Glitzier and glossier than the original. Foreign locations, action stunts and the entire look-and-feel department…everything matches the best of Hollywood in every sense.

·         The leading men- Saif and John look and act suitably cool!

·         The leading ladies – Deepika and Jacqueline look hot (and that’s all they have to do!)

·         Catchy song-and-dance sequences.

What’s not?

·         After an interesting build-up of events and characters in the first half an hour, the plot and the direction rapidly lose steam.

·         The second half is boring and the climax is laughable.

·         The comedy track (of Anil Kapoor and Amisha Patel) is pathetically tacky.

Verdict

Despite being bigger, brighter and better-produced than the original, Race 2 largely fails to enthuse and entertain!