FilmyReviews

Players rides mainly on the clout of its credible director duo [Abbas-Mustan], daredevil stunts and stunning visuals. But, most importantly, it is deficient of a captivating screenplay. Also, the film could have done with judicious trimming for an enhanced impact. I for one went in with colossal expectations, but came out feeling downcast and disheartened.

But would you go out for a DVD of Players and put it in that cherished section of your home video corner saying: Hundred movies to see before you die! All you brave Indian filmmakers, do pick up classics, but first, get a bit classic yourself and learn about cult film making which is so much different from commercial cinema. You'll find the difference. Your Bollywood ventures end up like cold cuts - stylishly done - are so different from piping hot goulash

What fails the film after all, is the over-enthusiasm of its makers, who overstay your hospitality by dragging the film on for an unforgivable 2 hours and 45 minutes. Also, harsh as this may sound, the film suffers considerably on account of its dull cast. What could have been a satisfying entertainer doesn't quite achieve its potential.

The director-duo have almost run out of their standard set of shock tactics and are falling prey to their own brand, making the suspense flick, more or less, predictable. What ensues is the ordinary one-upmanship between two male rivals, a theme that has already been exploited by the directors to the point of diminishing returns in Ajnabee, Humraaz, Naqaab and Race. Another major reason why Players fails to impress is thanks to the mediocre performances by its entire cast. They say 'let the best player win'. Sadly nobody qualifies to be even 'good' here. Game over!

This is B-movie paradise. The writing is juvenile, the dialogues a joke, the acting over-the-top, yet everyone seems to be taking themselves so seriously, you can't help but see the funny side to it. Abbas Mustan ensure Players to be a laugh-riot, a comedy the writers of The Italian Job could have never imagined possible. Welcome to Bollywood, folks. And a Happy New Year.

Players will play a losing game at the box-office. Given the huge investment (of Rs. 65-70 crore) made in the film, it will end up entailing heavy losses to the producers as well as distributors. Its dull start will only add to its tale of woes. While the story is interesting the screenplay botches the attempt so badly that Players turns out to be a boring fare. The loose and uninteresting screenplay; the poor music; the dull acting of Abhishek, Sonam and Bobby make Players a bad movie

Having said that, let's also give credit where it is due, PLAYERS is a slick treat of high adrenaline action scenes that rates up there with the best in Bollywood. With thrillers being their forte, and action their main course, Abbas-Mustan do not disappoint in this department. It would not be wrong to say that most of the cast are plastic in their expression.

Players ends up as a fun weekend flick, especially for action buffs. Don’t expect much from Pritam’s music – there’s none of the head-bobbing of Dhoom 2 or Race. In the second half, the movie meanders and you almost wish Abbas-Mustan would have trimmed some of the desi fat to enhance the impact of the movie.