Housefull 5 Movie Review: Too Many Jollys, Too Few Laughs In This Confused Comedy-Thriller

Housefull 5 Movie Review: Directed by Tarun Masukhani and produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, the much-anticipated Housefull 5 sails into theatres today (June 6) with a massive ensemble cast, a lavish cruise setting, and an unusual twist for the franchise - a murder mystery. Known for its over-the-top slapstick humour, the Housefull series tries something different this time. But does the gamble pay off? Not quite.

HOUSEFULL 5A PLOT REVIEW

The film kicks off with the sudden death of Ranjit, who suffers a heart attack. His passing leaves the family shocked, but the real shock comes when his will declares Jolly - his son from his first wife - as the successor, and not Dev (played by Fardeen Khan), his son from the second. Just as the tension brews, not one, but three Jollys arrive, each accompanied by a wife, throwing everyone into shock and confusion.

What follows is a series of secrets, lies, and a murder. When Dev gets a DNA test ordered to prove who the real Jolly is, the doctor is mysteriously killed, adding a dark twist to this supposed comedy. With everyone on the cruise becoming a suspect, especially the Jollys and their wives, the mystery element takes center stage.

Enter suspended police officers Bidu and Baba played by Sanjay Dutt and Jackie Shroff respectiely, who see solving this case as the only chance to save their jobs. Together, they try to make sense of the madness aboard the cruise, as more secrets unravel and suspicions shift.

While Housefull 5 is branded as a comedy, the film leans heavily on the mystery angle. Ironically, it's the murder plot that keeps the viewer somewhat engaged, rather than the humour the franchise is known for. Unfortunately, the comedy falls flat due to outdated punchlines, forced slapstick, and a general lack of freshness. The few funny moments feel too far apart, and the tried-and-tested gags from the previous films does little to help.

The screenplay suffers from overcrowding - too many characters with half-baked arcs make the story feel stretched, especially in the first half. The pacing improves post-interval with another twist, but it might be too late for many.

On the technical front, the film has a polished look, and the peppy music is a saving grace, it adds some much-needed energy to an otherwise underwhelming and stretched narrative.

HOUSEFULL 5A ACTING REVIEW

Among the ensemble, Akshay Kumar delivers a standout performance, effortlessly carrying his scenes with strong comic timing. Riteish Deshmukh and Abhishek Bachchan are good too but we've seen the trio playing similar characters in previous Housefull installments. While none of the actresses got much to perform, Sonam Bajwa comparatively got the best role.

Shreyas Talpade brings occasional comic relief. Nana Patekar enters in pre-climax as senior officer Daghdu Hulkund, played with a quirky flair. Sadly, the rest of the cast seems lost in the chaos.

HOUSEFULL 5A OVERALL VERDICT

Overall, Housefull 5 had the potential to be an entertaining murder mystery with comedic elements, but ends up being a confused product. The humour doesn't land as expected, and the story gets too tangled in its own subplots. However, the 'who's the murderer' angle keeps you guessing till the end, which offers a slight redeeming factor.

Go with low expectations, and you might enjoy the mystery more than the jokes - which says a lot for a comedy franchise. Also, there's a special appearance and twist in the climax.

Are you wondering who's the real killer? Yaha kuch nahi milega! Jaake film dekho!