*Pops another Crocin in and opens laptop*
I will start with a question: WHY? What was the need to make this film? A man who likes to perform weird ass but breathtaking stunts, an Indian bossman who runs an extreme-sports competition in a place called ‘Maidaan’ in fcking Poland, a police officer whose Hindi is so bad that you cringe every time she opens her mouth, and Nora Fatehi, cuz it is a T-Series production. You combine them all and sit through the result for 2.5 long hours and the first place you’ll go after it is the pharmacy. Apart from Arjun Rampal, this movie gets NOTHING right, and at this point, Vidyut Jammwal should really think about his movie choices.
Plot
So, we’ve got Siddharth Dixit, aka Siddhu, a guy from Mumbai’s slums who’s all about pulling off insane stunts and extreme sports. He’s on a mission to uncover the truth behind his brother’s death, and that takes him to this underground survival sports arena called Maidaan. But then the movie takes a turn when he gets to know that there was some foul play in his brother’s death. So now he’s not only competing for glory but also going after the owner of the Maidaan, Dev. And then Nora Fatehi enters as Maidaan ki influencer and Siddhu falls for her. So now he’s not only competing for glory and going after Dev but also falling in love with her. And then there’s the police trying who is also going after Dev. Idk fam just watch the movie (don’t) to know the story, I can’t explain.
Performances
Vidyut Jammwal brings the muscle and the action, no doubt. He’s flipping and kicking like there’s no tomorrow, but when it comes to emotions and dialogue… it is just straight up disappointing. I’m gonna once again suggest that he should seriously think of the movies he is doing. Arjun Rampal as Dev brings the villain vibes, and you can’t help but get Ra.One flashbacks. He’s the only one who does a decent job in the film tbh. Will never understand why they make Amy Jackson speak Hindi. Just write English dialogues for her man. And Nora Fatehi is toh just there, you know, for the heck of it. T-Series production mein Nora ko prop jaisa use nahi kiya toh kaise chalega after all? Oh, and Jamie Lever‘s in the film??? She’s obv there to lighten the mood, and it works more or less.
Direction and Writing
The direction is just all over the place, and frankly, if I were the director, I’d also have no clue about what to do with this script. The story just jumps from one thing to the next without making much sense. Also it is very unclear what the film really wants to say, because lead character ko hi nahi pata usko karna kya hai. And bhaiii, don’t even get me started on the dialogues. I mean, school students write isse better shit. The editing is horrible, there are 27 cuts in a 5 second action sequence, and before you can make out what is even going on, it moves on to the next stunt. I’m sorry for acting like a grumpy uncle, but come on man you gotta feel for me.
Screenplay and Cinematography
Have you watched those videos jisme people complete a puzzle with all the pieces in wrong positions? It looks complete on the first glance, but makes absolutely no sense when you look closely. Bass waisa hi hai iska bhi screenplay. It’s choppy, it’s confusing, and you’re left wondering what the heck just happened. The cinematography is decent, and makes you think at least action toh badhiya hogi. But usko bhi barbaad kardete hai with the horrible CGI (wth was that train sequence in the beginning???). Most of the stunts seem like they were edited in the early 2010s, and you end up falling in love with Jaani Dushman ka VFX. What should’ve been over in 1.5 hours goes on for 2.5 hours, and you’re left w brain farts and a terrible headache.
Just in case the message wasn’t loud and clear, please please skip Crakk. Literally next week Dune 2 aa rahi hai. Uske liye paise save karlo pls. One of the worst films of 2024 so far, and it’s just the second month of the year. Can’t be more pissed and disappointed.
