'Gabbar Is Back' Review: Meant strictly for the 'masala-of-yore' fans

Rating: **1/2
Director: Krrish
Cast: Akshay Kumar, Shruti Haasan, Sunil Grover, Suman Talwar, Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishita Vyas and Kareena Kapoor Khan (guest appearance)

What it's about: Hindi films from the 70s have witnessed the lead protagonists taking law in their own hands and delivering justice. The tradition continues with Gabbar Is Back. Aditya (Akshay Kumar), a college professor, is a do-gooder with a difference. He has a team of young and honest like-minded fellas who help him on his mission to wipe out corruption from the system. He delivers his own brand of justice by hanging the culprits publicly and leaving proof of their ill-gotten gains. He becomes a hero for the public and a nuisance for the cops. While it doesn't seem so, this is personal for Gabbar. He has one target and that is his mission.

What's good: The concept is really good. Here is a chap named after a baddie but he is a good guy. Akshay Kumar becomes Gabbar effortlessly. The film has the right amount of drama, thrills and a few clap-worhy scenes. The film begins with the kidnapping of the corrupt guys and those portions are executed well. The buildup to havaldar Sadhuram (Sunil Grover) going off on a mission to find Gabbar is also handled deftly. The twist before the interval will make you sit up in your seat. Gabbar's speech in the climax will bring a lump to your throat. Kareena in a tiny appearance is refreshing.

What's not: While the idea is new, the execution is the same old. Since it is all about the inspired youth, it should have gone the Rang De Basanti way and spoken their language. But it doesn't. Post interval and after the emergence of the villain, the film slips into the age old formula. Shruti Haasan sings well but the same cannot be said about her performance. You feel let down by the characters which you have seen too often before. The persistent top cop, the clueless girlfriend, the powerful builder, the corrupt commissioner and spineless home minister - the cliches are far too many. 

What to do:
This Gabbar is meant strictly for the masala-of-yore fans