Agent Vinod Review

Saif Ali Khan returns after a long break, his last solo-film was Kurbaan way back in 2009. He had a significant role to play in last year’s Aarakshan, but the film almost entirely belonged to Amitabh Bachchan.

Agent Vinod is one of the most keenly awaited films of the year for various reasons; it’s directed by Sriram Raghavan, director of fantastic films like Ek Haseena Thi and Johnny Gaddaar; the film stars real-life couple Saif and Kareena; it’s a spy thriller, something that we haven’t seen in Bollywood in a long time. Does it work?

Official Synopsis: The Agent Vinod story begins with a series of seemingly unconnected events, all over the globe. In Uzbekistan, an ex-KGB officer is tortured and murdered. In Cape Town (South Africa), a group of international business tycoons discuss a rumor that the dead KGB Officer had a nuclear suitcase bomb hidden away. In Moscow, an Indian secret agent is exposed. The agent is shot dead while trying to send a code red message to India. In India, the head of RAW sees the incomplete message. All it contains is a number 242.

Enter Agent Vinod. Vinod (Saif Ali Khan) is the kind of agent who first kicks the door open and then finds out what’s behind it. His unconventional approach puts him in dangerous situations but he manages to get the crucial leads. Vinod is sent to Moscow to investigate why his colleague was killed. Vinod leaves for Moroccco, where he meets an elderly mafiosi Kazan and the beautiful but mysterious Dr Ruby. A series of twists and turns take Vinod across the globe from Marrakesh to Riga, Karachi to Delhi and finally London, where he discovers the ultimate conspiracy.

Agent Vinod Review

Agent Vinod is high on production values, has good songs, some brilliantly shot action sequences, breath-taking foreign locales and the performances are good too. Except, in his third outing, Sriram Raghavan disappoints big time, both as a director and screenplay writer. The story just doesn’t work. You neither feel for the characters, nor does the plot keep you hooked to your seats in anticipation.

The music by Pritam is a mixed bag. The mujra song looks good on-screen, but it’s Maryam who outshines Kareena. The ‘pungi’ song is likable.

Pooja Ladha Surti’s editing should have been crisper. Muraleedharan’s cinematography is outstanding. Daniel George’s background score works at times. Saroj Khan’s choreography is good. In the mujra song, watch out for the junior artists.

Coming to the performances, Saif Ali Khan does very well. He’s charming on-screen, convincing in parts but it’s his character that let’s him down . He isn’t the best when it comes to action sequences, but it’s pretty evident that he has put in a lot of effort. Kareena doesn’t disappoint, she’s good. Chemistry between the lead pair is missing. Prem Chopra returns to playing negative characters and plays his role with ease.  The rest are okay.

Overall, Agent Vinod tries to be intelligent, but isn’t. The thrill is missing and the climax is a huge letdown. From a director like Sriram Raghavan, you expect better, much better. Disappointing.

Rating: ★★☆☆☆

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5 Comments

  • @ Indicine:
    The movie is a Spy Thriller and most likely it will not emphasis on the characterization and will be depend heavily on the Situation that Agent will met and thats what has made a huge difference.

    As a SR fan, i went there to watch this as SR’s film and eventually i realized its a Saif’s film.

    I find it little odd to find the chemistry between the two pair as there it was not required and even director never intended.

    Action was very much realistic than our todays bollwood action which looks like a illegitimate child of Matrix (Bodyguard and DON). The action sequence at Auction was purely genius.

    Negatives:
    Movie lacks its pace and it is too long, may be the length factor is psychologically because AV traveled almost all the continents.
    The Motive was again stupid enough, just like any Bond or MI film but at the end of the day Spy thrillers are like this only.
    The editing was simply pathetic and can have no excuse for it.
    Screenplay was average, it was straight forward and could have been Captivating.
    Script suffered a lot of Indianism and that may be because it was for Indians :)

    Ps: when last time i wrote it was Salman vs SRK so this time please dont …..
    and PERSONALLY I LIKED THIS MOVIE A LOT AND FOR ME ITS A NICE ONE TIME WATCH IN THEATERS….
    Regards
    Sahil

  • #JUSTWATCHED #agentvinod not so bad as the WOM.go for it.superb movie.better than don2. Deserves a watch

  • nothing wrong with #agentvinod. highly misunderstood.If the hero would shahrukh khan than u would praise what a movie.

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