Elaan

One more Masala movie released on the same day along with another masala movie Insan. One more time Sholay (1975) has been revisited and that too by Vikram Bhatt whose every movie is plagiarize of a Hollywood pictures and even this time also there are so many scenes which are lifted from different Hollywood products. Even Sholay was a mixture of 2 to 3 Hollywood movies i.e. The Seven Samurai, The magnificent 7, Once upon in a west.

This time the Thakur role is played by Rahul Khanna, Jai and Veeru roles are played by Arjun Rampal and John Abraham and Gabbar role went to the Legendary Actor Mithun Chakraborty who has made a comeback in A grade movies with Elaan and will win the nomination in the best villain category. He has given a remarkable performance after Gudiyareleased in 98.

Rahul Khanna has debuted in the commercial cinema with this movie and has done a great job. He performed his role with confidence. John Abraham has gone overboard in few sequences and also in his introductory action scene (which is a lift from First Blood 3 a.k.a. Rambo 3. I think Vikram like that action scene because he used that action scene in Awara Pagal Deewana for Sunil Shettys introductory action scene). Arjun Rampal is functional and has given a conventional performance. Amisha Patel has done a good job after Humraaz.She was looking gorgeous in this movie and got more footage than the Lara Dutta and why not she is the girlfriend of the captain of he ship, I mean the director of the film, Vikram Bhatt. Lara Dutta has done her stunts by herself (she tried to become like Lara Croft) but has nothing much to do except showcasing her attractive face and body. Ritu Shivpuri has done fine job in a short role. One wonders she should have got a full fledge role in this movie and why the directors are not casting her in their movies. Chunky Pandey has also done a fine job in a short role.

Escaping from the prison is a direct lift from Spy Game. And even Arjuns first action scene is a lift from Hard Target. The major setback in the movie is the climax. The way they trap Mithun makes you wonder if he really all that powerful (as it has been shown in the beginning of the film that his phone call can sound your death knell) and he does nothing except sitting silently in a room. What happened to all that flames, anger and poison? Elaan has few scenes lifted from Loha released in 87 and China Gate released in 98 which were also inspired by the movies The Seven Samurai, The magnificent 7, Once upon in a west. Scenes like when Shatrughan Sinha promises his son (young jugal hansraj) in the movie Loha that he will take him for holidays but the mission comes in between and he leave for mission and break his promise and also when Naseeruddin Shah wants to adopt a girl in the movie China Gate and he dies and after that Om Puri does the service. In Elaan too, Arjun make promise to his child but breaks it because of the mission and when he dies in the end Rahul adopts his child.

Cinemography is of first rate. Well penned dialogues and good choreography. Appealing background score.

As predicted, it will do a good business in interiors and its good news for Mithun Chakraborty fans that they will get to see a good movie with a good performance by the Legend. 21/2 Out of 5.

While, to an extent, I do believe from reading the comments of other reviewers that the movie lacked a good storyline, and the characters are somewhat unbelievable, I liked this movie for amazing acting, despite the character flaws; I liked it because the tactics used in the movie are amazingly realistic and for the most part, practical. Sure, movies are often exaggerated and this one is no exception, some are exaggerated beyond the realms of acceptable beliefs of reality. This, however, is just within the confines of it. I enjoyed the movie and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys tactical warfare...to the smaller scale. Hope it helped!

Vikram Bhatt's 'Elaan' which came way back in 2005, is still in my mind because of Mithun Chakraborty. I feel Elaan will be remembered for the outstanding portrayal of Mithunda. I can go on and on praising Mithunda.... but even as a film 'Elaan' is underrated. The film is entertaining and even for a minute you're not bored. The film has its share of flaws, but come on 'Elaan' didn't promise to be a milestone of a watch. A very well-directed film, with a stellar performance by Mithunda.

Pluses of the film: Mithunda, Mithunda, Mithunda, Mithunda. He's the biggest asset of the venture, playing Baba Sikandar to perfection. He's fantastic from start to end. Vikram Bhatt has directed the film very well. The stunts are very-well done. Performances by the other actor are also good: Rahul Khanna plays his part well. Arjun Rampal is very good, and yes his exit gives a lump in your throat. John is likable. Amisha and Lara are decent. Chunkey Pandey is passable.

Minuses of the film: Mithunda should have been there throughout.

on the whole 'Elaan' is a entertaining watch... more than anything else, watch it for legendary actor Mithunda's powerful performance.

Elaan was a fantastic, action-packed film. I find it very difficult to find an exciting, entertaining Hindi film, yet this film fit the bill perfectly! There is not a second of boredom in the film. There are even a couple of comedic scenes, a couple of heart-wrenching emotional scenes, lots of action, etc. This has become one of my favorite movies. And it is filled with the coolest star cast - Amisha Patel, John Abraham, Arjun Rampul, etc. etc. You have to see this movie. Don't listen to any bad reviews you might read about it - movie critics are always unreasonably tough and harsh when it comes to rating films. I guarantee, it is a great film!!!!! (I was not paid to write this comment!)

I hate to downplay a movie specially when the Filmamakers spend enormous amount of money on a foreign location but when they come up with a jalopy action film-it is well deserved. First and foremost is the music or lack of it specially the background music. The Story is as stagnant as the waters of Venice(It appears that Venice has only two cars and both are used by Baba Secunder). The two actors who cannot emote are Lara Dutta and Arjun Rampal and the two who can are Amisha Patel and John Abraham-and the one who really did some acting was Rahul Khanna. As far as Amisha Patel-this square jawed actress with ears as big as Himachal Pradesh looks cute in Anna Singh designed clothes but she has peaked in her acting with "Gadar" and looks with "Humraaz". As far as John Abraham-a good actor under state of confusion.Mithun Chakraborty--fits the bill as a Hindi Villain, since he is tall,dark,has long sideburns (or freshly painted)), and his voice comes across as strong and mean for ransom demands on Board room speaker phones!. I can't fathom a director in the caliber of Vikram Bhatt (Raaz) directing this "junk Bond" film. The song breaks and the "personal narration" that breaks into a song interludes are the only break from the monotony of endless gunfire when the ammo runs out a lifeless character is doneaway. The movie has nothing to offer in the way of entertainment or action-a disappointment coming from Vikram Bhatt.