Review: Not acidic enough

Film: Acid Factory
Director: Suparn Varma
Cast: Irrfan Khan, Fardeen Khan, Aftab Shivdasani, Diya Mirza
Rating: **

Six characters suffering temporary memory loss due to a gas leak in the acid factory they are captive within is an interesting premise. It was previously seen in Unknown, a 2006 Hollywood film which has 'inspired' Acid Factory.

The theme, nonetheless, remains underutilised -- the amnesia does not seem to bother the characters too much. Before we get to why they are imprisoned in this factory, we journey back and forth in time, which is a little distracting.

We encounter a gamut of producer Sanjay Gupta staples like pole dancers, black suits, an array of sunglasses and gratuitous destruction of vehicles. We also see the trademark shot of five men walking in slow motion towards the camera.

Watching the six characters in the acid factory struggling to piece together the missing pieces of their present (Diya Mirza's character is original to this version) is not very engaging.

The story could have benefited from building up the mastermind (Irrfan Khan) a little more. After a disjointed first half, the second half picks up pace culminating in a crackling climax.

Look out for some howlers though, like Mirza awakening from her acid daze with memory loss but without any sign of dishevelment -- immaculate hair, make up and attitude and the another one, the priceless dialogue 'We have no memory, remember!' Too good! But then a copy of a B-grade film is setting itself up for teasing.

Manoj Bajpai adds a touch of humour as the maniacal bad man, though he is stuck in the Kaun mould. Mirza's performance is as stiff as her spray-on black outfit. Fardeen Khan and Aftab Shivdasani show chutzpah in an action film which gives them more bite that the shallow comedies they've done recently. Danny Denzongpa is effortless.

Director Suparn Varma keeps the story moving briskly and does well on the action sequences. However, like most action films, this one too has more style than substance.