By Apunkachoice, July 26, 2008 - 09:08 IST
Apoorva Lakhia's style of filmmaking is to take stylish shots and put them in quick succession to each other and add the remaining impact by loud background music. He really needs to work as an assistant under some truly qualified director to get the basics right.
By Rediff, July 25, 2008 - 18:10 IST
The film could have made interesting points about the economics of terror, the commoditisation of news and its sensationalised packaging as entertainment.
By Sify, July 26, 2008 - 09:05 IST
One of the more important scenes in the film —the big revelation where one of the main characters turns out to be a traitor, takes place in a perplexing premise with all the characters bare-chested in red –checked lungis.
By WithoutGivingTheMovieAway, July 26, 2008 - 09:14 IST
Like melodrama is to drama, Mission Istanbul is to pointless style. What with super-dangerous and mega-powerful villains walking like they are on a ramp, only waiting for the hero to get to them and start a fist fight. So what if only minutes ago, they had thousands of guns and gunmen at their disposal?
By Filmfare / Times of India / Indiatimes, July 26, 2008 - 09:15 IST
Mission Istanbul is written on self-prescription, directed as per the convention and has action to exaggeration. While speaking on the issue of global terrorism, the film doesn't delve into the political conspiracy or motivation of nations like Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan and US that it mentions.
By Indiaglitz, July 30, 2008 - 11:13 IST
Apoorva Lakhia has lost it out big time. With his focus on enhancing certain favourites such as Vivek Oberoi , Shabir Ahluwalia and Zayed Khan embedded with all those violent or so called action sequences, the plot lies in the bin.
By Glamsham, July 30, 2008 - 11:16 IST
The action is top class, executed well and pulled off stylishly by the lead of Vivek and Zayed. There's even an Angelina Jolie look-alike (Shweta Bharadwaj) who joins the party. In between Abhishek Bachchan pops up somewhere doing his BLUFFMASTER act.
By Now Running, July 30, 2008 - 11:27 IST
Mission Istanbul belongs to the esteemed genre of deliciously bad films such as Jaani Dushman, Shakalaka Boom Boom, Aitraaz; or what I prefer to call the 'So bad, it's brilliant' genre. Have a wicked sense of humour and a taste for cheese (no, not the eating kind) and I doubt that you'd be bored for a minute.
By Ibnlive, July 30, 2008 - 11:31 IST
Mission Istaanbul, this week's new Bollywood release, is not only a bad film, it's also a highly offensive film. If it was merely a mindless action film, one might have been more forgiving, but in fact Mission Istaanbul disguises itself as a film that takes a serious look at international terrorism, as a film that questions the commercialization of news.
By Times Now, July 30, 2008 - 11:33 IST
After watching Mission Istaanbul one can't help but wonder if it is the same director who gave us Shootout at Lokhandwala two years ago. Not that Shootout… was a masterpiece but Mission Istaanbul is worse than no-brainer comedies because of its inane storytelling.
By Businessofcinema, July 30, 2008 - 11:37 IST
Set against the backdrop of international terrorism Mission Istanbul is a potpourri of sorts. There is action, intrigue, terrorists screaming jehad jehad, love, song-dance routines, all in an amazingly formulaic pattern which is actually scientific.
By Radiosargam, July 30, 2008 - 11:35 IST
The film takes its own time to establish the characters which relate to the existing state of Istaanbul. However, the element of fakism soon takes the place of realistic cinema and the viewer is bombarded with a dose of high quality stunts and Bollywoodish drama.
By DNA India, July 30, 2008 - 11:39 IST
1 of 1 people found this review helpful Lakhia revels in the action genre and the stunts, action sequences and chases which are well executed, though not necessarily logical. The story and its rendition lack soul.
By Buzz18, July 26, 2008 - 09:01 IST
Post interval the film unfortunately reaches a bit of a dead end. All the cards in the pack are revealed the writers run out of twists and turns to keep you engaged. So in such a case the only option is to add some more action. But as the film nears climax you have had enough of stunts.
By Movietalkies, July 30, 2008 - 11:19 IST
The first half establishes the characters and the premise of the plot. But in the second half, all we see is action, violence, chases etc. It seems as if the director has substituted his story for action.
By Filmikhabar, July 28, 2008 - 09:26 IST
1 of 1 people found this review helpful As expected, Vivek Oberoi was simply outstanding! He performed his part easily and confidently and did a great job! After his legendary performance in Shootout At Lokhandwala, this one was surely one of the best performances of his career. But I would love to see him often...
By Bollyspice, July 30, 2008 - 11:40 IST
2 of 2 people found this review helpful Mission Istanbul is one of the rare movies that you can see has been made with a lot of research. This is a habit that a lot of Indian film makers need to get into, which is researching thoroughly when making this type of film.
By Indya, July 26, 2008 - 08:57 IST
2 of 2 people found this review helpful Definitely if you are one who loves their films with large doses of action! Director Apoorva Lakhia has definitely pushed the envelope with some brilliant stunts in the film including a shot under water that has been done extremely cleanly.
