Baby John

Positives: 1. First, I want to thank S. Thaman for delivering an incredible score that elevates the cinematic 1. First, I want to thank S. Thaman for delivering an incredible score that elevates the cinematic experience. His music immerses you completely, creating a trance-like effect with its energy and rush.

. His music immerses you completely, creating a trance-like effect with its energy and rush.

2. Having not watched Theri, I found this movie enjoyable on its own merits.

3. The cinematography is stunning, much like Jawan. The frames and tones are well-crafted, presenting Varun Dhawan with vibrant visuals and an engaging color palette.

4. The performances are solid each actor delivered what the story demanded, neither overacting nor underperforming.

5. The direction is impressive, especially for a debut. It showcases strong scene transitions, a cohesive narrative flow, and excellent portrayal of Varun Dhawan and Jackie Shroff.

6. The screenplay is well-paced despite the 170-minute runtime. It maintains entertainment throughout with a perfect blend of comedic gags, songs, mass moments, action choreography, and romance.

Negatives: 1. While I haven't seen Theri, the story feels average it's decent but lacks novelty.

2. The emotional scenes lack impact. They're rushed due to editing, making it hard to connect with the moments.

3. The film's "mass" appeal could have been amplified with more impactful dialogues that elicit whistles and cheers.

4. The relationship between Varun Dhawan and Keerthy Suresh feels underdeveloped, failing to create the emotional depth needed for stronger engagement.

Summary: Overall, this is a film that delivers pure entertainment. It offers an adrenaline rush, keeping you engaged and making for a worthwhile experience in the theater.

Baby John (2024), directed by Kalees, is a remake of Atlee's 2016 Tamil blockbuster Theri. Starring Varun Dhawan in the titular role, alongside Keerthy Suresh (in her Hindi film debut), Wamiqa Gabbi, and Jackie Shroff, the film follows Sathya Verma, a former cop who goes undercover as Baby John to protect his daughter from a dangerous enemy. With high-octane action sequences, a star-studded cast, and a runtime of 2 hours and 45 minutes, the film promises thrills but struggles to deliver a cohesive experience.

From the outset, it's clear that Baby John heavily leans on choreographed action and song sequences, visually impressive but loosely strung together by a weak and uninspired storyline. The screenplay and editing, crucial elements for a gripping narrative, falter significantly, leaving the film feeling disjointed. As the captain of the ship, the director shoulders much of the blame for allowing these technical snags to slip through.

The superhero-like heroism in the fight and dance sequences stretches believability, often pulling the audience out of the experience. While some moments provide spectacle, they fail to maintain the emotional crescendo necessary to sustain the film's momentum. The predictable climax, punctuated by Salman Khan's tired cameo, ends the roller-coaster ride on a disappointingly flat note.

The performances, however, stand as the film's saving grace. Varun Dhawan, Jackie Shroff, and the rest of the cast give it their all, doing justice to their roles despite the lackluster material. Keerthy Suresh's Bollywood debut is commendable, though her talent feels underutilized in this setup.

Ultimately, Baby John feels like a missed opportunity-an action-packed visual extravaganza that fails to resonate emotionally or narratively. The film's reliance on spectacle over substance leaves it feeling hollow, making it a challenging watch for audiences expecting more than just surface-level thrills.

Rating: 2/5 stars - Baby John offers brief moments of visual entertainment but suffers from a weak storyline and missed opportunities, making it a forgettable addition to the action thriller genre. Watch it for the cast's earnest performances, but don't expect much beyond that.

Don't waste your time or money on this utterly awful Bollywood remake! "Baby John" is nothing but a scene-for-scene copy of a South Indian movie "Theri Movie", with absolutely no originality. It's like the makers thought they could get away with just copying every single detail without any effort to bring something fresh to the table. Bollywood should be ashamed of itself for this lazy attempt at filmmaking.

The car scene? A direct rip-off of the original, with the exact same open jeep and police stick placed on top. It's as if the filmmakers couldn't even be bothered to change a single detail. Then there's the little girl who calls the hero "Baby." Guess what? Same thing from the original movie. They didn't even try to give this character a unique twist.

And don't even get me started on the bus scene where the bus falls off a bridge into the water-this too is taken directly from the original movie. The whole "school scene" where a boy beats up a girl and she waits for "Baby" to save her is just recycled from the original, with no effort to make it different or interesting. The dialogues? Completely borrowed. The moment where the girl says to the hero, "I call you Baby, but that doesn't mean you are actually a baby," is straight from the original with no attempt to add anything new. In short, "Baby John" is a shameful copycat film that doesn't even attempt to make itself stand out. It's lazy, uninspired, and a huge disappointment. If you want to watch the original movie, go ahead and do it, but don't waste your time with this mindless, soulless remake.

Baby John is the kind of film that makes you question why certain stories still make it to the big screen. It's a loud, brain-numbing mess that recycles the same old masala formula, sprinkled generously with over-the-top slow-motion action sequences that feel more like filler than flair. Not a single punch, be it in dialogue or combat, lands with any real impact.

Keerthy Suresh, despite her undeniable talent, is reduced to a forgettable prop, adding zero charm or depth to the narrative. On the flip side, Wamiqa Gabbi emerges as the film's only silver lining, effortlessly holding her ground and adding a dash of charisma in an otherwise dull affair. The child actor is another unexpected gem, delivering a surprisingly heartfelt performance that momentarily lifts the film out of its monotony. And then there's Jaggu Da, who slips into his role with his usual effortless brilliance.

But if there's one thing that truly tests your patience, it's the background score, a relentless, ear-piercing racket that makes you wonder how anyone survived this in a cinema hall. And just when you think the nightmare is over, in walks Salman Khan during the end credits, hammering the final nail into the coffin of what's now possibly the most cringeworthy cinematic universe ever attempted.

Baby John isn't just avoidable, it's a straight-up endurance test. Watch it only if you enjoy cinematic torture.

The Hindi remake of Theri struggles to capture the essence of the original, despite a few strong performances. Varun Dhawan, though solid in the latter parts of the film, overacts in the early scenes, particularly with forced dialogue like "Mere jaise bahut aaye honge, but main pehli baar aaya hoon." His emotional depth is average, but a standout moment comes during an intense scene involving Nanaji's son.

Keerthy Suresh, in a role made iconic by Samantha, could have delivered more. Though she holds her own, her performance lacks the emotional intensity needed. The supporting cast shines, with Sheeba Chaddha adding charm to her role, and Jackie Shroff stealing the show as the antagonist. Wamiqa Gabbi, despite a promising character as an undercover agent, feels underused.

The film's pacing suffers due to an overabundance of songs, which slow down the narrative, though the background music does add intensity. The direction is competent but lacks the emotional depth that could have elevated the film. While the plot follows the original, the inclusion of Wamiqa's subplot doesn't feel fully integrated.

Overall, the remake is an average watch-solid performances from some, but it fails to leave a lasting impact.