Published 16:04 IST, October 25th 2019
Housefull 4 review: Akshay Kumar and co provide occasional laughs
Akshay Kumar's Housefull 4 is a one-time watch, and not a bad choice for a Diwali outing with family. But one shouldn't expect too many 'ROFL' moments.
A money-spinning franchise over close to a decade, Housefull is back for the fourth time after three years. Are the makers stretching it too far or have succeeded in bringing something new with a 'reincarnation comedy'? Read on:
Director: Farhad Samji
Cast: Akshay Kumar, Riteish Deshmukh, Kriti Sanon, Kriti Kharbanda, Pooja Hegde, Bobby Deol, Chunky Panday, Johnny Lever, Sharad Kelkar, Rana Daggubati
Genre: Period comedy
Duration: 2 hours, 22 minutes
CBFC: U/A
Reviewer rating: 2.5/5
Setting the scene
Harry (Akshay Kumar) is a hairstylist, who lives with his brothers Roy (Riteish Deshmukh) and Max (Bobby Deol) in London. The trio is stuck in deep debt after Harry's habit of forgetting leads to a don's money getting washed away. As the don's men trouble the three, they say they'll repay the money after getting married to rich girls, Kriti, Pooja, Neha (Kriti Sanon, Kriti Kharbanda, Pooja Hegde). As 'destiny' chooses the wedding venue as Sitamgarh and couples reach India, Harry understands the events from 600 years ago, that had taken place in Sitamgarh. Harry now faces the challenge of explaining to his brothers that they were getting married to their 'Bhabhis.'
Plot
Housefull 4 is the story of three couples and their love stories (with different partners), in two eras, 1419 and 2019. The couples don't reach the 'happy ending' 600 years ago due to the plotting of a minister. But now they are on the quest to reunite the 'true' lovers. How the three men face the same enemies from that era in this, while trying to explain the past events to their girlfriends in fun-filled situations involving funny characters, is what it is all about.
Verdict
It's unlikely that one wouldn't laugh at all while watching Housefull 4. How many times one laughs depends on one's sense of humour. Housefull 4 primarily rides on its jokes and one-liners involving wordplay and current situations. Some of these work and some would receive a straight-faced reaction. Same goes with the physical humour and situational comedy. The characters sharing Bollywood hit songs lyrics as lines in the 15th century was among the funniest moments. The done-to-death ‘Neil Nitin Mukesh’ joke returns, and the makers shouldn’t be surprised to receive a rant or a legal notice from the actor. The humour is also not the most clean, with a good dose of double meaning and literal ‘below the belt’ jokes and gags. Jokes are somewhat better in the first half, and don’t have the same impact in the second half.
Housefull 4 is completely an Akshay Kumar film. He is there in almost every frame and shines in most of them. Be it his expressions, like rolling his eyes while losing his memory, or showing his lustful and ambitious side in the past, he aces it all, even the emotional scenes. Riteish Deshmukh is the next best of the lot, and as one of the few to star in all the installments of the franchise, he seems at ease in a genre that has given him multiple hits, He impresses with his comic timing. Among the other main members of the cast, Pooja Hegde struggles in her dialogue delivery and emotions, while the Kritis are much better; Bobby Deol too is fair. Chunky Panday’s 'Aakhri Pasta' always delivers a few laughs and it is no different this time too. Johnny Lever is on fire and tries his level best, but the cross-dresser act wouldn’t make one laugh too much. Sharad Kelkar as a scheming character is the best of the lot in the supporting cast. Rana Daggubati really brings out the evil with his monstrous act. Manoj Pahwa is as usual dependable and Ranjeet is good with his ‘Aahs’, though it might not be considered too funny anymore. Nawazuddin Siddiqui is a cameo in one of the highlights, as he is seen not just delivering his trademark dialogues with elan, but also dances so surprisingly well.
The makers needed to be lauded over at least attempting to spice up the comedy genre with the reincarnation track, something unique. However, the execution is not the best, as plotwise so much takes place without any logic.The locations and picturisation are good, particularly the palaces and its interiors, but the VFX is not too convincing. The songs by Sohail Sen and others shine as all of them are high on energy and well-choreographed.
On the whole, Housefull 4 is a one-time watch that provides occasional laughs, but that’s about it. Lovers of the ‘masala’ potboilers and Akshay Kumar fans won’t be disappointed. The movie, nonetheless, looks set to be a big success, since it is Diwali and families are going to go out in big numbers. In all probability, they will like it too.
What works: Some of the jokes, Akshay Kumar and Riteish Deshmukh’s comic timing, reincarnation as a concept in comedy, songs
What doesn’t: Convenient and over-the-top plot points, unimpressive jokes, VFX
Updated 16:23 IST, October 25th 2019