'Drona' slow-moving, says Malaysian film critic

Kuala Lumpur, Oct 20 (IANS) Finding "Drona" slow-moving and Abhishek Bachchan needlessly sullen throughout, a Malaysian film critic, has panned the Bollywood film which released in this South East Asian country recently, but says the children will love it.

Maintaining that Bachchan junior only needs a good director and all is not lost, he is all praise for Priyanka Chopra.

"Drona", directed by Goldie Behl and starring Abhishek Bachchan, Priyanka Chopra, Kay Kay Menon and Jaya Bachchan, has been released at many theatres in Malaysia.

"After watching this movie, you will realise that Indian movie-makers should stick to what they know best - family dramas or love stories," K.N. Vijiyan wrote Monday in The New Straits Times.

"Fantasy films such as Drona don't always work," Vijiyan said.

In a comparison with another fantasy film, "Krishh" he says: "'Krishh', with Hrithik Roshan as a superhero, was a success because he fit the character and the story was interesting."

"On the other hand, 'Drona' is dreadfully slow and I don't understand why Abhishek needs to look so sullen throughout the movie," he added.

Abhishek gave good performances in Mani Ratnam's "Yuva" and "Guru" and all he needs is a good director and story to bring out the best in him, the critic said.

"The villain (Kay Kay Menon) gets on your nerves, always talking to his forefinger and two puppets," writes the critic.

He, however, is praise for Priyanka Chopra. "The only bright spot in the movie is Priyanka in her beautiful costumes. She may not look all that convincing with a sword but at least she is gorgeous even when filmed in the Rajasthan desert or on horseback."

"I couldn't shake off the feeling that I was watching a fantasy film for children. I had this same feeling while watching recent movies such as 'Bhootnath' and 'Love Story 2050'.

"It would be nice if the movie was rated so adults can give it a wide berth and leave the children to enjoy it," the critic added.

"What could have been an exhilarating journey becomes long-winded and uninteresting under the direction of Goldie Behl (Who earlier directed "Bas Itna Sa Khwaab Hai").

"Firstly, the hero could have been a fun guy and secondly, the pace could have been faster. That would mean at least one song less at the beginning showing our hero dancing with European girls and lesser scenes involving the magician," Vijiyan said.

"A car chase and another scene involving a train are memorable although such stunts are aplenty in movies," the critic said.

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