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Movie Reviews |
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By Taran Adarsh, March 22, 2002 - 16:54 IST
I-Dreams Productions' 16 DECEMBER, directed by Mani Shankar, revolves around white-collar financial crimes that are funding terrorism in certain countries.
Milind Soman, under the guidance of Danny Denzongpa (playing a Revenue Commissioner), has to track down the criminals.
Gulshan Grover is a master of disguise in the film who plans to wreck havoc on India by exploding a nuclear bomb, which he has bought with the 'havala' money. The deadline for the nuclear blast is set for December 16.
The promos of the film make you feel that 16 DECEMBER is one of those patriotic films that exposes the evil designs of our neighbouring country. The film does have this aspect, but that forms a small part of the film.
From the very beginning, till the pre-climax, the film focuses on the 'havala' transactions and how Danny and his team try to get to the main guy, who's up to some conspiracy.
The concept of 'havala' should've been elucidated in the utmost simplistic fashion, but director Mani Shanker uses terms that would be hardly understood. For most cinegoers, it would seem like Greek and Latin.
Director Mani Shanker succeeds in two departments – shot execution and special effects – but fails miserably in the department that is the soul of any film – screenplay.
The screenplay doesn't hold appeal for an Indian cinegoer and what's more, the narrative gets boring after a point. Even the climax is long-drawn and looks childish, with the kid diffusing the nuclear bomb.
Another department that gets completely sidelined in the process is the music. There seems to be no scope for the songs and the tracks that are there seem forced in the goings-on. There are songs in this flick only because Hindi films are incomplete without them!
Danny Denzongpa delivers a first-rate performance, essaying his part with utmost conviction. Gulshan Grover impresses as well. Milind Soman is just about okay. Dipannita delivers the right expressions. Sushant is competent. Aditi Gowitrikar looks pretty, but expressionless otherwise.
Cinematography is of a superior quality. The special effects are very well executed. Dialogues are noteworthy.
On the whole, 16 DECEMBER is a case of all hype, no substance. The film is devoid of 'masala' so important for lovers of commercial cinema and will therefore be rejected at the box-office.
 
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