New York

This film had a good message and was well directed. The entire cast gave great performances--even Katrina, who is known for her poor performances. While I don't condone the actions of either terrorists or the U.S. government, I do agree that we have to grow up and stop playing the blame-game or behaving like schoolchildren in a playground fight--violence in return for violence--each attack more vicious and stronger than the one before. Who knows who is responsible--jihadis-->Guantanamo Bay-->Osama-->Cold War-->?? We need to stop spreading hatred, understand other cultures, and become better diplomats for a hopeful, albeit slow, recovery to humanity and justice.

First, we should all applaud any popular entertainment that takes on the crimes of the recent American past. Here is a (largely worthwhile) Indian effort that is too far to the implausible end of the spectrum for my tastes. But it also has a political blind spot that makes it troubling and not only a bit foolish.

The part I found troubling is the way the US is defended. The filmmaker succeeds in making terrorist sympathizers of the audience, then lamely states the US case with totally unconvincing platitudes. The US government relentlessly behaves in a brutal and unapologetic manner throughout the film, and is then defended with a line like, "People make mistakes. Countries do, too." Well, if my wife made a mistake as severe as the US makes in this movie (drawn heavily from the headlines), she darn well better apologize or I'm gone! But do the Americans apologize? Have Americans ever apologized, i.e. the way Kevin Rudd did recently? There are MANY films that deal with these moral/political issues far better. The Bollywood epic "Mission Kashmir," for all its Bollywood silliness, does a far better job. The outstanding Indo-American film "The War Within" is my favorite of these issue films. And any of the movies of Mani Ratnam show how a popular entertainment can also be smart.

Post Kabul Express my hopes were riding on Kabir Khan on his take of 9/11 in "New York". For Indian audience I guess "New York" just provides a tip of the ice-berg of what 9/11 brought the change in the International level. On international level, the issue is further deep- rooted which Kabir Khan failed to touch base upon thereby giving a "rookie" feel to the entire proceedings. It appears as if Kabir Khan was confused if the subject he wanted to address was 9/11 or a triangular college romance.

"One-event changes entire life", c'mon - its so 1970's Bollywood "badla" tried-tested-sour theme. Natural progression and inching towards the other side of the line would have been much convincing.

Niel Mukesh:: Gave his best performance. Looked convincing as a student. The silent love-track wasn't warranted, or perhaps its YRF influence (read that "force-fit"). I was laughing aloud when he walks out heart- broken when the 9/11 is shown on telly (as my friend quipped, perhaps his very own twin towers were grazed!).

John Abraham:: As mentioned earlier, the character is not developed properly. And his personality looks way ahead of a student. Had immense scope to exhibit his talent - however a mediocre performance fails to rise above the expectations.

Katrina:: The silent-spectator character whose only purpose seems to be an eye-candy on the screen and maybe when revelation that she knows it all. Otherwise an unwanted character in the plot.

Irfan Khan:: Again, his character and lines are Bollywoodish ie. half- baked.

And for those who have an appetite for a surreal story dealing with similar subject - give "The Hamburg Cell" and "Britz" a go and it will come to realise what depth actually means.

this movie was very interesting movie to watch because of the subject matter that it covers . when i watch this movie i realized that kabir khan is the next biggest director of bollywood. He has done a great job ,the story is very original and each character feels very real. One thing that i liked about this movie was that it used background music just like in departed, which i was very impressed because they don't do that in bollywood. Another thing which i noticed in this movie , which was not something bad to do but the part when Omar goes As under cover agent seemed like a scene from the departed.As far as the performances go i was very impressed by Neil Nitin Mukesh , you just can't believe it's his third movie and proves himself a scene stealer. A bravo performance.The next person that really proves himself a great actor in this movie is John Abraham, Before this movie everybody considered him body but after this movie proved that he is an excellent actor.Well irfan khan as always could never disappoint you he is probably the Naseeruddin Shah of his generation. Katrina is also acting in this movie for a change . She proves that besides being a beautiful girl she is also a good actress.I enjoyed this movie very much and didn't wanted to end because it was very fast paced and very entertaining.It is a must watch. 8/10 .

New York had the effect that a movie like Taare Zameen Par had: not expected much, yet looking forward to it, because it's the first worthy movie that has come out after the much-agonizing 2 month movie ban. The cast was top class: Niel Nitin Mukesh of Johnny Gaddar fame, Katrina Kaif of the Singh is Kinng fame, and John Abraham of the Dhoom fame. Not to forget the return of Slumdog Millionaire's Irrfan Khan, again as a police officer, no, wait, the FBI.

Three friends, ready to face the world... and then the world changed. This is the tagline. It was New York that had changed in the movie. The world was nowhere in sight. The script was good, light and humorous. Katrina's performance was amazing, considering that she doesn't know how to act. John was Good, and for a change so was Niel. Irrfan had that humorous touch in his voice that many love.

The direction is smooth, but too much slow motion at times. The cinematography is mind-blowing. Everything is beautifully captured. Editing is also smooth. The soundtrack is good, specially the Hai Junoon track. Thank god there are no dance sequences. They would have totally spoiled it up.

New York is one of those movies that tried very hard to strike a message, but fails. Don't get me wrong: the movie is not bad. It's another good film under the Yash Raj Banner, and it almost fully satisfies the movie-hungry person who has been hungry for 2 months, but, like Rang De Basanti, it's not able to strike a chord as a movie of it's genre should. What they've shown is fact, no doubt, but doesn't feel true. Maybe that's why. There was something lacking in the script, I'm sure, though it's really not spot-able!! I gave it a 7/10, because it didn't work that good for me. But I'm sure many will give it an 8, 9 or even 10. I'm hoping it's average to linger in the 7 point somethings. Not below that. Happy viewing.