Agonypath: A test of patience

Can someone please tell me why Agneepath should be adjudged any differently from those zillion mind numbing masala flicks that are promptly panned by critics..

Agneepath's only defense in pleading not guilty, is that a film of the same name is a leaf in the majestic ouvre of the iconic Amitabh Bachchan, now being played out again by an ensemble of accomplished actors. Not good enough for a pardon.

A remake of fiction takes greater meaning when the story is portrayed in contemporary sense. Agneepath doesn't. But for giving new faces to the main players in the plot, it just seems like taking a by-road to Rome. Same wayside sceneries, same destination.

The Agneepath of yore, though much later bestowed with a cult classic status, was commercially unfruitful I am told. So besides the fact that it could be Karan Johar's emotional tribute to his father, I fail to see the point in a remake of this kind.

The movie is dreadfully long and beyond a point, I lost interest. The parts that evoke appreciation involve the introductions of newer characters into the story, including the telly quaking Chikni Chameli.

We've seen a chiselled Hrithik Roshan muster all brawn and beef to rise like the phoenix and deliver a telling blow to fell his nemesis in many a Kaho Naa Pyar Hai. What else is new here! He's more engaging whenever the wily schemer in his character flares to the surface from the undercurrent. To his credit, he is sincere as always, consciously staying away from becoming a spoof of the raspy original Vijay DC.

Priyanka's task is to alleviate this arduous journey with lighter moments. Somewhere, it becomes a replay of her 'so excited to marry' character from Kaminey. She does give it a fair shot though. Btw, whichever wise man said marriage is a death sentence, take a bow here sir!

It may have been a fascinating thought to cast Sanjay Dutt with head and brows tonsured. Again, if the purpose was to inject a higher voltage of menace, it doesn't really work. Rishi Kapoor's Rauf Lala succeeds to a greater degree in this aspect.

It's quite a fussy movie wanting a share of everything - song and dance, romance, item number, blood gore and rationale and doses of cinematic liberties.

Hmm. Not very amused. Wait for the cable release if you can. Maybe the wait itself won't be longer than the movie!