Netflix A-Z: Ek Tha Tiger (2012)

I wrote Bollywood at the end of Netflix D selection and no one even gave it a guess. Haha! 😉

Its a sign of how popular this post will be but I decided to stick with my choice so I’ll do this review.  My goal was to mix this up so expect some more foreign selections. Maybe not another Bollywood choice since it takes me a few sittings to get through because of the length but you will see some more. This one was a little different.  I had taken a look at the genre and I’ve never watched an Indian action movie so I figured this would be a new experience. That’s how Ek Tha Tiger made this list and well, maybe its because Netflix didn’t have all that many E choices….but that is besides the point.  This is how we find surprises, right? 😉

Let’s check this out! 🙂

Ek Tha Tiger (2012)

Director: Kabir Khan

Cast: Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif, Ranvir Shorey, Girish Karnad, Roshan Seth

Tiger (Salman Khan) is among one of the best spy agents working for RAW in India.  His life is defined by one mission to the next.  This time, the mission sends him to London where he needs to only observe a scientist, Dr. Kidwai (Roshan Seth) who may be working on a new technology that might be for the Pakistani government.  However, his biggest challenge turns out that he has to try to not lose his mind and heart in the face of Dr. Kidwai’s part-time beautiful assistant, Zoya (Katrina Kaif). For someone who hasn’t been in love before, this might be harder than expected.

Indian films have layers of plot and its good when it does because of their length.  It would be tough to sit through it without having some twist and that part up there is just the set-up for what is about to happen.  Okay, when certain parts happen, they seem to just be expected and staring you in the face the whole time.  Except Ek Tha Tiger does it relatively well.  Even the action sequences, while sometimes a little over the top and not quite realistic and had me going “Really?”, it was good. You also have to remember that a lot of times, a romance is truly inevitable (in any movie) and one that pulls in spies for two countries and what not.

While this is simply a predictable romance story, the action thriller part does a fine job. The spy, the tension, the action: it knits into some good stunts and fight scenes. Plus, the cinematography of this is beautiful.  I think the big part is that the two leads, Salman Khan playing Tiger and Katrina Kaif playing Goya are wonderful as in their spy scenes.  As romantic partners, they do feel a little forced.  Their chemistry isn’t as natural as I have seen in comparison to other stories. I mean, it was forced and cheesy.  Then it kind of hits cringe territory and laugh out loud moments.

Overall, Ek Tha Tiger is a really good Indian action thriller.  The romance stretches it a little.  however, the story itself while predictable still has a decent fun factor and the stunts and action choreographer are a little over the top but still entertaining.  The leads Katrina Kaif and Salman Khan may lack a bit of romantic chemistry but their action sequences are thrilling enough.

**Side note: You can’t really call this a typical Bollywood since there is only something like 3 actual songs where its singing and dancing randomly and it doesn’t even happen until a good part into the movie. However, there are some dramatic songs inserted a few times following the characters contemplating.  So, its not too bad.  It still keeps the action thriller as their main genre going ;)**

Have you seen Ek Tha Tiger? What do you think?

Any guesses for the F selection? Think teen drama.