Baby John

The same old storyline once again repackaged with different actors, different director, different camera angles. While watching this film reminded me of that song from one of SRK's old film Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani, in that there is a line that says 'thodi ham mein sachchai hai thodi hai baimaani, kabhi naye packet mein bechein tumko chiz puraani".

I watched this film only because I have slight bias for Varun Dhawan. I find him slightly likeable amongst all the current lot of mediocre mainstream actors. But even he brings nothing new to the film. Full of clichés such as hero helping blind beggars, heroine singing aartis on baby shower. Villain derailing heroes life, then hero coming back to take revenge.

I can guarantee you that you will keep feeling that you have watched this film before because hundreds of films have been made with the exact storyline and exact formula.

I gave three stars for Keerthi Suresh and Wamiqa for looking damn good, the little girl who was the only savior because of her cuteness and Jaggu Dada for being a good actor even till now.

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.

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.

Pros & Cons:

• Varun Dhawan gave his 100% effort to shine as a Mass Entertainer, BUT the Director & Script let him down big time by making him a Superman/1 Man Army in one moment than a complete coward & punching bag for Babbar Sher's thugs the next moment.

• Jackie Shroff is an acting legend. He was terrifying in the movie. But because of his old age he was reduced to playing a Daadu role and couldn't fight with the Hero Satya head on and had his goons do all the work for him, which made the Hero vs Villain angle very boring & blend instead of exciting.

• Rajpal Yadav was spectacular in his sidekick role. Both Jackie Shroff and Rajpal Yadav did far far better acting than the main character, Varun, who was doing his typical overacting here and there.

• Every song in this movie was extremely boring and stretched the film out making it 30 minutes longer than it should've been. This was supposed to be a very serious movie about very serious crime topics like human trafficking, selling women in black markets and forcing them into prostitution etc. So why so many unnecessary songs were added that just kept on coming out of nowhere without any context.

• All in all this movie is not bad, but it is also not great either. It's just a so-so movie good for a one time watch with your family on OTT platform.

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.