‘Housefull 4’ Movie Review: Akshay ‘Bala’ Kumar is in top-form in this brainless comedy; the rest is just trash!

Directed By
Farhad Samji

Produced By
Fox Star Studios, Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment

Cast
Akshay Kumar, Riteish Deshmukh, Bobby Deol, Kriti Sanon, Pooja Hegde, Kriti Kharbanda, Chunky Pandey, Rana Daggubati, Ranjeet, Sharad Kelkar, Johnny Lever, Jamie Lever, Nawazuddin Siddiqui

Bollywood Bubble Rating
1.5/5

What’s It About:
In 1419 Sitamgarh, 3 couples are parted away due to an evil conspiracy. 600 hundred years later in 2019 in London, the couples have reincarnated and they meet again but this time each one of them is marrying the wrong person. History repeats itself and they all land up again in Sitamgarh. How they come to realize about their true love is what forms the crux of the story. Will each be able to finally marry their loves from their past life? Or will they end up marrying the new loves from this life? Well, to know the answers you’ll have to watch the film.

What’s Hot:
Akshay Kumar is indeed in top form. The actor, who has been giving us back-to-back stellar performances in films with great content, proves yet again that he can master the masala potboiler franchise of ‘Housefull’ with equal zest. Akshay as Bala is superb. He will make you not just giggle with his antics, but will also make you ROFL with his super funny tricks to woo his ladylove. Even in his current-day avatar, Akshay is top-notch. However, it will be his character as Bala, which you will remember for years to come.

Riteish Deshmukh is also good. However, unlike the previous three versions, he isn’t doing much in this one. However, he manages to do the best of his limited screen space and makes sure some of his punchlines are memorable.

Johnny Lever shows once again why he is the best slapstick comedian we have in Bollywood. His facial expressions and body language make you wonder why we see so less of him onscreen these days. His daughter, Jamie Lever, is also is great in the little blink-and-miss scenes she is in.

Rana Daggubati may have the least of screen space among all, but he will once again remind you of his Bhallaldev avatar from the ‘Baahubali’ franchise. As the ruthless Gama, Rana Daggubati is kicking some serious ass. We hope to see much more of his acting in Bollywood.

Moving over from acting, the music of the movie by Sohail Sen, Farhad Samji, Sandeep Shirodkar is good. Some songs will stick on to you after you leave the theatres. The Sohail Sen composed ‘Shaitaan Ka Saala’ is one such song.

The visual effects of the movie are surprisingly too good. Baring aside a couple of horse riding scenes with Akshay Kumar, the sets erected for the huge ‘Baahubali’ style palaces look majestic. Going into a brainless comedy like ‘Housefull’ you wouldn’t expect such precision in the visual arts department, which certainly is one of the best we’ve seen in a long time in Bollywood.

What’s Not:
Well, everything else.

Talking of the actors. Bobby Deol barely has anything to do in the whole movie. Even though Ritesh Deshmukh is good, he isn’t as great as he has been in the comedy franchise before. The three actresses, Kriti Sanon, Kriti Kharbanda and Pooja Hegde barely have enough dialogues.

While we were not expecting too much in the first place itself, the screenplay is dull with barely much to look forward to. Being a total masala potboiler, you barely are left wanting for some storyline.

Talking of the comedy this time, it’s not four times the fun the original ‘Housefull’ was. Sure there are some PJs that are great and will incite laughter, but that’s simply not enough to sustain throughout the duration of the film.

While I don’t want to put you off a lot by talking of the flaws in the movie, as I had gone in expecting to be brain-dead for the 145 minutes of the film.

Verdict:
ONE-TIME WATCH. Akshay Kumar fans will surely love it and slam the critics for pointing out the flaws in the film, but hey, that’s our job to do! If you’re not an Akshay Kumar fan, you might still go in for a one-time watch for some cheap laughter with your friends. I am going with 1.5 stars.

Box-Office:
There is no doubt this movie is going to earn the big at the ticket windows. Akshay Kumar’s stardom added with the brand of the ‘Housefull’ franchise along with the extended Diwali weekend is sure to make this one of the highest grossers of this quarter.

Watch Trailer:

Also Read: ‘Saand Ki Aankh’ Movie Review: Taapsee Pannu & Bhumi Pednekar’s compelling women empowerment film misses the bulls eye by a whisker

Prateek Sur

Born a Movie Buff, working as a Film Critique and enjoying life as a Bollywood Reporter.

Email: editor@bollywoodbubble.com Phone: +91 8355910465