Movie Review: Speed

Cast: Urmila Matondkar, Zayed Khan, Sanjay Suri, Tanushree Dutta, Amrita Arora, Aftab Shivdasani and Spohie Chaudhary

Director: Vikram Bhatt

Not many years back there was a Hollywood product named Cellular and if we go back some more in time, we’ll realise there was another one by the name Phone Booth.

Those who’ve seen it would know where I’m heading and those who haven’t, well guess what, the makers of B-town have finally come out with a desi version.

No it’s not been dubbed, it’s been remade. But hey, come to think of it, ‘dubbed’ is what it seems to be. Vikram Bhatt’s Speed s not ‘inspired’, nor is it ‘motivated’. ‘Lifted’ is the word. There is no blend of creativity, no effort to add a tinge of originality, yet a denial from the producers of ‘any similarity’!

Let’s go step by step.

First there’s Zayed Khan and his mission to unite with his lost love lost Tanushree Dutta. Zayed reaches London to get down on his knees and convince his girlfriend to give their relationship one last chance.

Next, there is Sanjay Suri. An undercover agent, who pays the price for… well for being the good guy! His wife, Urmila, is kidnapped and the CD he receives has her post-kidnapping recordings.

An anxious Sanjay knows not why he is facing what he is facing. Then enters Amrita Arora, a colleague.

Confused and concerned, Sanjay takes her help get to the bottom of the situation. And there he has it… the kidnappers, Aftab Shivdasani and Sophie Chaudhary, want to use him as an instrument to assassinate the Indian PM, who is on a London visit.

But responsibility comes first and Sanjay refuses to give in. Only to realise, that his son is the next target.

But that’s not it.

Kidnapped Urmila manages to piece together a cellphone and make a call. But guess whose phone rings? Zayed’s!

Now hold on. Don’t read to deep into it. It was just a wrong number.

But it’s this ‘wrong number’ guy who, though is in London to lure his lady, decides to become a saviour.

And finally there is Aashish Chaudhary, the London super-cop, who is in charge of the visiting PM’s security. But Aashish gets quite caught up between his mission and his mademoiselle. Yes, it’s his girlfriend’s birthday the same day!

But personal lives apart, the plot drives everyone to the same destination. Zayed decides to help Urmila and thus begins a mindless stunt-driving exercise.

Although the film lacks originality, director Vikram Bhatt has managed to create moments that would keep you gripped. But this is where the good part ends.

The music is noisy and the songs are tasteless.

Choreography is average. London has been captured many times. This time, there’s nothing exceptional about it.

Urmila has done a decent job and Zayed too has timed himself well. No one else is worth mentioning.

Amrita Arora and Sophie Chaudhary are just glamorous faces. Aftab Shivdasani is bad.

But what comes as a big disappointment is Sanjay Suri. Although the actor has given some memorable performances earlier, he seems insignificant here.

So you see, there ain’t any real reason to go and watch Speed. And if you do, be prepared to face expected dialogues, chaotic stunts, ridiculous risks and ofcourse predictable climax.

And yes, there is no space for logic. So leave it at home if you must go ‘n watch it.