This is what you call a classic 70s Bollywood crime drama. No Bollywood movie in the genre had neither the might nor the ability to be as great as this one. I definitely don't think that everything was purely original, some chase scenes and action scenes do feel like as if they were influenced by some Hollywood movies of that era. But whatever the case might be, I don't think there's a doubt regarding the fact it's one hell of a movie.
First and foremost - Amitabh Bachchan - that too in his prime - perfect choice for the role. Years later, even SRK tried it and didn't really give a performance par that of Bachchan. Bachchan is incredible as both Don and Vijay. Not only he portrays both the characters in the most accurate way possible, we can clearly see his versatility as an actor through these roles. Don is a heartless and a subtle criminal with every sort of negative vibe to him. Vijay is a goof who tries to act like Don. Both of these contrasting characters have been played by Bachchan with an ease. Pran as JJ was equally great. Whenever Bachchan and him meet in this movie, something quite exciting happens. They are one of the most dynamic duos of the era, and in general, of entire Bollywood.
Om Shiv Puri does a nice job as officer Mallik. Rest of the cast were fine on the whole. Coming to the story, there are two or three major plotlines which form the entire plot of the movie. One of my major concern was about Pran's plotline and felt it would not mesh with the rest of the plot. But it never happened. It wasn't messed up at all. The twists and turns are quite unpredictable and really entertaining when they come.
Except for Bachchan being forced to act in a comedic way just for the sake of some unwanted laugh, nothing is bad about this movie. It's an amazingly entertaining film that'll give you thrills and make you laugh at the same time. I have probably seen it over 100 times since the first time I watched it 16 years ago, and I am still entertained by the movie in the same way like I was when I watched it for the first time (may be even more). It's an absolutely well made film with several memorable scenes, dialogues and sequences. One of the greatest movies from the 70s, and of Amitabh Bachchan's career.
Rating : absolute 10/10, Grade : golden A+
First and foremost - Amitabh Bachchan - that too in his prime - perfect choice for the role. Years later, even SRK tried it and didn't really give a performance par that of Bachchan. Bachchan is incredible as both Don and Vijay. Not only he portrays both the characters in the most accurate way possible, we can clearly see his versatility as an actor through these roles. Don is a heartless and a subtle criminal with every sort of negative vibe to him. Vijay is a goof who tries to act like Don. Both of these contrasting characters have been played by Bachchan with an ease. Pran as JJ was equally great. Whenever Bachchan and him meet in this movie, something quite exciting happens. They are one of the most dynamic duos of the era, and in general, of entire Bollywood.
Om Shiv Puri does a nice job as officer Mallik. Rest of the cast were fine on the whole. Coming to the story, there are two or three major plotlines which form the entire plot of the movie. One of my major concern was about Pran's plotline and felt it would not mesh with the rest of the plot. But it never happened. It wasn't messed up at all. The twists and turns are quite unpredictable and really entertaining when they come.
Except for Bachchan being forced to act in a comedic way just for the sake of some unwanted laugh, nothing is bad about this movie. It's an amazingly entertaining film that'll give you thrills and make you laugh at the same time. I have probably seen it over 100 times since the first time I watched it 16 years ago, and I am still entertained by the movie in the same way like I was when I watched it for the first time (may be even more). It's an absolutely well made film with several memorable scenes, dialogues and sequences. One of the greatest movies from the 70s, and of Amitabh Bachchan's career.
Rating : absolute 10/10, Grade : golden A+