6. Race.

The burmawalas are back; rapidly after Naqaab. It really amazes me how they manage making movies so quick, yet agile. Kudos to their intellect as such kinda confusing scripts are not too easy to handle. Although, one knows what a characteristic Abbas-Mustan movie will be and this one classically is, still it glues the audience to their chairs till the curtain-fall. All the time one knows that something strange is coming up in the very next moment yet 'what' is still the question. This flick is beyond a double-cross thriller; can term as a multi-cross one :)

Stunning camera work, breathtaking locales, first-rate costumes, splendid performances and above all a super fast pace - These are the highlights of the entire fare. Multiple twists and turns are dramatic but also digestive. Editing is a vital area in such movies which is slightly overlooked. Musically astounding but yet quite ill-timed songs also kinda apply brakes to the pace. These are the only two flip sides.

There was a time when Saif would be either one of those funny guyz or a next door chap in the movie. Times have changed. Post DCH, this chappie has gradually turned in to a ruling heart-throb. In last few years, he has taken a few movies (Hum Tum, Salaam Namaste, Tara Rum Pum) entirely on his shoulders. Race is a movie he takes on his head heart and soul. Akshaye has performed brilliantly but his role is quite monotonous and clichéd (alike Humraaz, Deewangee, Naqaab). Anilbhai is an icing on the cake; quite appropriate and natural with his witty character. The comic addition by johny, raghavendra and gurpreet adds the required sugar. Nothing great from girls except seducing movements (bips), inviting appearance (kats) and humourous 'dumbo' performance (sam). Dalip in his side-lined villainous avatar looks pretty ok.

Net-net, Race (could have also been named as Chase) is more-or-less viewable cos of the strong up-sides and the treatment by Abbas-Mustan who reign their specialty cinema.

My Verdict - 6/10.