Reviews

Remaking a classic is no joke, but people try it again and again, and fail again and again.

One would maybe truly enjoy this movie if he had not seen the original DON (1978) which starred Amitabh Bachchan. And this movie was a big hit as everyone was curious to see how SRK would hold up against the big B.

As it turned out, people were left disappointed with this one, and the new don hardly holds up to the original, and with all the extravagant pointless use of technology, it fails to thrill and leave an impression on the viewer.

It is however sad to see essentially the same story retold and re-mashed(badly) and still do so well. This movie has taken some critique, but it is unfortunate. IF it was called BON or something... and if it was not such a blatant remake, there would not be as much pressure on SRK or on the script. There is unnecessary comparison throughout imply because the original is so fresh in everyone's minds, even though its almost 30 years old.

Sadly, this one will not be remembered beyond 2008, while the original will live on for years to come.

Amazing movie, and quite surprising that this is not one of the most highly regarded movies of its time.

The movie tells the story of a coal mine run by a greedy capitalist and the sufferings of the underpaid workers and the constant dangers they face in the depths of a coalmine. The script is extraordinarily strong, the romantic bits are kept at a minimum, and Amitabh Bachchan(AB)'s role of Vijay Pal Singh as the angry self-loathing hero fits like a T.

This is without doubt one of AB's best performances and his dialogues really fire up the movie. Salim-Javed have to be credited for the dialogues, after all they have provided ammo for AB all along with their scripts. Shashi Kapoor(SK) and Shatrughan Sinha(SS) fit into their roles perfectly, and overall the movie is not dominated by a single character.

This is all about the coal mine, and the risks and tragedies that the workers face every day. By the end of the movie, you almost feel like being one among the workers and demanding justice, alongside Vijay.

The screenplay and direction is fantastic. The opening scene with the titles is absolutely brilliant. The ghetto is very well done. The incidents between AB and SS are well portrayed, and very stylish. Characterization is top class. The background score is brilliant.

The bad? The music - i.e. the songs really break up the movie. None of the songs really make the grade and they only act as roadblocks to a free flowing movie. Most of the songs are pointless and not required.

The script really fits the era, the unrest, the anguish, really suits the time the movie was made. Then you put AB in an angry young man - role and all you need to do is wait for the money to roll in. This movie was MADE for the masses.

Amazingly that did not happen for this movie, it never reached the heights that it could have. We will never know why!! Overall... Brilliant. Don't miss it, est if you are an AB fan or a 70s movie buff.