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ROBOT review

Posted by RAVI 10/01/2010 05:06:00 PM

Robo Movie Review

Banner: Sun Pictures
Cast: Rajinikanth, Aishwarya Rai, Danny Denzongpa
Story: S. Shankar, V. Balakumaran, Sujatha Rangarajan
Music: A. R. Rahman
Cinematography: R. Rathnavelu
Editing: Anthony Gonsalves
Director: S. Shankar
Producer: Kalanidhi Maran, Hansraj Saxena

The story goes like this...

Dr Vasi (Rajni) creates an andro-humanoid robot, Chitti, (again Rajni) after 10 years of hard work, neglecting his parents and girlfriend Sharmili (Aishwarya Rai Bachchan) in the process. All goes well till his attempts to put emotions into the robot backfires and the robot takes a liking for Sharmili, creating a unique love triangle. Chitti’s feelings are, however, not reciprocated by Sharmili who thinks him more as a toy than a boy – that is when Chitti turns bad. At this point the good doctor decides to destroy it.

In between, we have the evil scientist (Danny Denzangpo) who being aware of the extraordinary artificial intelligence of the robot, gets hold of it, not only to resurrect it but to also turn him into a killing machine.

Robo is just not a movie about VFX effects. The movie has a soul and emotions. It shows the eternal clash between the forces of good and evil.

Robo shows that Chitti, despite been a robot, wants to live and be loved but is flawed and blinded by destruction. But of course, this message is subtly warped in the jaw-dropping special effects.

There are several gorgeously shot songs in exotic locales like Austria, Brazil, USA, including one in Machu Picchu, Peru that has several llamas in the frame with a swaying Aishwarya. Sadly, A.R. Rahman’s music is not exactly his best work.

As for the character of Sharmili, she does not have much to do except play a Barbie doll who is required to look gorgeous or afraid. There is little screen time that the leading pair share together and there seem to be not too much chemistry involved between the two.

Everyone is overshadowed by Rajini’s character - whether it is the parents, (we see them in two scenes), friends (Karunas and Santanam are completely overshadowed by Rajni even in the comedy scenes), heroine (every director in the past decade has tried in vain to pair Rajni and Ash, but she still does not have much to do) and villain (a powerful actor like Danny hardly registers his presence) all are marginalized.

On the flip side, the movie has been endlessly stretched. The movie could have been shorter by a good 10-15 minutes. However, Robo is a three hour experience that gives you no time to pause and think.

Rajinikanth carries the movie on his shoulders. No other actor could have essayed this sort of role with so much élan. With his snazzy dressing, make-up and special effects, he makes Chitti look endearing.

Rating: 3.50/5