Rocky Handsome Movie Review: Insane Action Thriller Lacks Emotional Connect

Rocky Handsome featuring John Abraham in the lead role is based on a Korean movie, Man From Nowhere. The film also stars Shruti Haasan but she barely has any role to play. The movie is all about John and Diya's character which reminds us of Salman Khan's Bajrangi Bhaijaan.

While the story is far different, John had revealed that we will feel the same connection on watching this movie.

See movie scenes from Rocky Handsome starring John Abraham and Shruti Haasan.

"It's a movie that will touch your heart because it's high in emotion and action ... The last few scenes made me cry," said Abraham.

"Rocky Handsome has a beautiful story to tell and that's why I did it. You can do the greatest action in the world, but if your emotion is not right, you will fail. We knew the emotional content of this film was strong, so we took the pain of making its action scenes even more special," he added.

So will this movie make you want to cry? Are the action scenes worth the hype that has surrounded it? Read the review to find out if the movie is bad, average, good or excellent.

Film: Rocky Handsome;

Director: Nishikant Kamat;

Cast: John Abraham, Diya Chalwad, Nishikant Kamat, Sharad Kelkar, Natalia Kaur and Shruti Haasan;

Rocky Handsome Plot:

Packed with maniac action sequences, Rocky Handsome is a typical dark, moody and coarsely crafted crime drama based on the 2010 released Korean film "Man from Nowhere".

It is the story of a retired special agent Kabir Ahlawat aka Rocky in the sinning state of Goa, where drugs, child trafficking, organ trade and brutal killings are the norm of the day. How he forges an unlikely bond with his neglected young neighbour, Naomi and takes it upon himself to protect the little child from violent criminals who kidnap her, forms the crux of the tale.

Director Nishikant Kamat's Rocky Handsome is a poor replica of the original as it lacks an emotional connect.

The plot, presented in a dramatic and convoluted manner, is strewn with plot-holes galore that make the film far-fetched and unbelievable.

Although the characters representing the underbelly of Goa are finely etched, being borrowed from the Theatre of the Absurd, they tend to appear ludicrous, frivolous and cartoonish.

Narrated in a non-linear manner, the screenplay is complex and convoluted. With nothing much happening in terms of the story, the pace drags in the first half, but picks up momentum in the latter part of the film. The only thing that keeps you gaping at the screen are the astutely choreographed gruesome action-packed sequences and the performances of the cast.

The film is John Abraham's canvas and as the beefed-up Kabir Ahlawat, he shines sporadically. He offers the punches more convincingly than his dialogues.

Shruti Hassan in a miniscule role as his wife Rukshida is natural, but her onscreen chemistry with John seems awkward and forced.

It is the little spirited Divya Chalwad, who is adorable with her uninhibited and spontaneous performance as Naomi. She steals your heart as the little imp constantly seeking attention of her "gangster" neighbour, Rocky Handsome. It is touching to see her innocuously explain her pet name, "Dustbin". Hers is a flat, two-dimensional character that leaves an impact and you wish she had more screen time.

Director Nishikant Kamat makes his acting debut in this film as the ambitious drug peddler, Kevin. He is notable and gives a fairly spirited performance. But, in the overall scheme of things, he is never intimidating.

The actor playing Kevin's brother Luke is over dramatic and buffoonish. He adds buoyancy to the narration though.

Sharad Kelkar as the police inspector is stereotypical and wasted.

On the technical front, the fight sequences with hammer and pickaxe wielding goons is ghoulish, yet exciting. The accompanying sound effects, which include the swishing of the knives and pounding of the drums especially, in the climax scenes gives an adrenaline boost to the viewing experience.

With relatively moderate production values, director of photography Shanker Raman with his astute lensing, delivers a dark milieu that cleverly reflects the characters' external and internal.

The editing is sleek and the songs mesh well into the narration but they do not enhance the telling of the tale.

Verdict:

Overall, Rocky Handsome is bound to appeal only to those fond of action films. While this may lack major emotional content, the film's action scenes are worth a watch, especially the pre-climax scene which will keep you hooked to your seats, a nail-biting action ends the movie on a thrilling note.

Review By IANS