SpuffyWeb Sadly Over-hyped

AshUnow This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

Mandeep Tyson The acting in this movie is really good.

Brenda The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

sumanbarthakursmailbox With Rock On, director Abhishek Kapoor promises a true-blue band film, but ultimately delivers a masala Hindi film that just happens to be about a band. Farhan Akhtar, Arjun Rampal, Purab Kohli and Luke Kenny star as once-aspiring musicians who chucked up their dream of taking their band professional. But a chance reunion ten years later inspires them to consider returning for one last gig. The film's basic plot stays faithful to the blueprint of your standard coming-of-age film, but the screenplay of Rock On is bursting at its seams with so many clichés that fifteen minutes in you can predict pretty much everything that's going to happen then on. Despite terrific cinematography and some very enjoyable music, Rock On has few surprises because the writers stick to the safety of tried-and-tested formula instead of pushing the envelope. As a result the film moves at a snail-like pace, dragging on instead of picking up steam when the story moves towards its climax. Yet, Rock On is rescued by some marvelous moments that stay with you until the end. Like that hilarious scene in which the band must perform an old Nadeem-Shravan hit at a dandiya event to raise cash for new equipment. Or the one in which Purab's character blows a prospective 'moment' with Koel Purie when he doesn't know how to return a compliment. There are many things to like about this film. Its little moments reveal so much. Like how the band's 'home-made' music and lyrics are instantly put into perspective in that telling scene in which Arjun knocks down a glass of tea and Farhan instantly makes up a song about it. How can anyone criticize the amateurish lyrics of their songs after they've shown you exactly what inspires them to come up with their lines? Or then that scene in which Prachi, the rich-wife of an investment banker, is spoilt for choice when in the comfort of her living room a designer displays an array of outfits for her. It seems like such a mundane scene, unnecessary even, but it says so much about Prachi's character and instantly illustrates why she really does have nothing better to do than go through her husband's things, arrange surprise parties for him, organize reunions between his friends and serve them a hearty lunch after a jamming session.It's difficult to believe the writer who came up with such layered subtlety, is also responsible for all the gaping holes in the script. The tiff between Farhan and Arjun that leads to the band's break up looks so contrived; Farhan's overnight abandoning of his girlfriend is hardly convincing; and what does one make of the ridiculous scene at a party where Farhan runs into his ex? You cringe during that predictable scene in which one of the protagonists is diagnosed with a fatal tumor but insists on performing nevertheless; you sigh when you've correctly guessed that a character who was expected to skip the big night shows up eventually and brings the house down. This is such poor writing and I'm surprised nobody noticed it. The heart of any film lies in its characters and your ability to empathize with them. The protagonists in Rock On are full of flaws and many aren't even particularly well written. Yet they come off as endearing, and the credit for that must go to the actors inhabiting those roles. The extremely talented Purab Kohli may be reduced to the comic sidekick here, but he gives the film some of its nicest moments. Prachi Desai, saddled with what I think is the film's trickiest role, comes off unscathed because she's an actor who oozes warmth. Farhan Akhtar exercises both his vocal chords and his acting chops to play the band's lead singer and the film's central character. He does both adequately. Of the boys, it's Arjun Rampal who towers above the rest with an earnest performance as the idealistic musician. But the powerhouse performer in this film is Shahana Goswami who stars as Arjun's girlfriend-turned-wife. It's an instinctive, performance that stands out for its combination of strength and vulnerability. Rock On wouldn't be half the film if it wasn't for Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy's remarkable score. And it's courageous on the part of the film's makers that they went with Farhan's vocals for the songs that are filmed on him. The film isn't great, far from it actually. It's watchable because it's set in a new world, and because it's got a bunch of wonderful moments. Watch it because it at least tries to be different and for the novelty of the experience .

bollycritic FINALLY caught it... and don't regret waiting. It was more often than not BORING. Not a patch on the brilliance of DCH.Three things held me back from seeing the movie earlier, and my bias/fears were proved right for all of them: 1) As mentioned by others, the music is amateurish. Not so much the tunes by SEL, but most definitely Farhan's annoying voice. My wife and I were shocked they used it in the movie. Yeah, it gives the movie a realistic vibe, but honestly, it was one of the key reasons I never rooted for the success of Magik, which I think was critical for the audience. "Yeh Tumhaari Meri Baatein" was the one beautiful exception, but no prizes for guessing that Mr. Akhtar's voice was nowhere to be found. I'm amazed the soundtrack sold so well too. Maybe it underscores that listeners are not as discerning about voices any more?? 2) Farhan is no actor. Yeah, the guy is versatile and can do several things now including writing, singing and direction, but I don't think he's great at anything other than direction. And even there, his brilliance piqued with DCH and has been languishing since. Actually, several of Rock On's characters are non-actors. Lucky for the director, Prachi Desai, Shahana Goswami and Purab Kohli compensated for the lack of talent in the others. 3) Abhishek Kapoor's Aryan was a dreary and tedious Rocky rip-off. And he suffers from the same directorial flaw as Kunal Kohli and Shaad Ali: their film's scenes take too long to get to the point. Sorry to say, I'm just not as patient a viewer as others may be, unless the scene has something brilliant to say. On a positive note though, Shaad has begun to work on this flaw and Abhishek still packed Rock On with a few engaging sequences. Unfortunately, for Kohli, there's no hope.

kingsimba_aa There is only one word to basically describe the whole movie: Overrated.I went to the theater quite reluctantly (as I do for most movies), but still with high expectations. But the outcome was quite different from what I expected.I went expecting to see a movie with more depth, more humor...I went to see a movie about four rock stars with separate personalities; someone funny, someone slightly insecure, someone serious, etc. But no. What did I get? Four guys trying desperately to look like American/British rock stars, but failing miserably.The songs were mediocre, the acting was okay, and the screenplay was pretty much half-decent. And the lasting impression? ...There was none.But see what I mean? A song that I really like reaches out with invisible arms and touches my heart; it gives me a warm, glowing feeling inside, and it makes me feel as though I'm surrounded with a golden aura. But these songs barely make me feel anything. They didn't have too much of an effect on me. And mainly, they didn't touch me. It's like there's an invisible wall around me that stops these songs from reaching me.The acting wasn't exactly amazing either. Luke was the only really good one. Purab was decent, Arjun was okay, and Farhan was bad. I'll start with Luke. He was the only one who probably added some depth to his role; he was the only one who managed to act the part he was supposed to act. Purab was quite lively, and that was a good thing for him. Arjun didn't put too much effort, but was good enough for a passing. Farhan? I didn't like him. It was like he just suddenly decided that aside from directing, he could act and sing out of the blue. His singing was nothing compared to big time rock bands, like Linkin Park, Metallica, Limp Bizkit, etc.The script was too boring and too serious. If there had been even a little bit more humor than this, then I would have actually liked the movie to a higher degree.The only good and touching part was *SPOILER* when Rob was admitted to the hospital and he breaks the news that he's going to die. *END SPOILER* But what was my main problem, you ask? My main problem, I answer, is HOW THEY TRY SO HARD TO BE LIKE Americans. No, guys, no. It's not working, so give it up. Your attempts are pretty sorry and pathetic.Period.

Arnab Das At last we have a movie on rock! At last we have a movie which appeals to the youth without getting preachy, at last we have a movie which has a soul, at last we have a movie which boasts of not just good actors but of great performances. That's all that "Rock On" is! Farhan Akhtar, take a bow! What a performance! I really cant recall someone doing so well in his debut film. And he does look like a rock-star! (We don't have many of them in India unfortunately) Arjun Rampal once again proves his critics wrong by his acting skills, Purab Kohli, a not really popular name in Bollywood shows that he cant be ignored anymore, Luke Kenny delivers a heart-warming performance and Prachi Desai is simply superb as Aditya's wife...Apart from some great acting what strikes you is the music. I haven't heard much of Hindi rock and the soundtrack of this movie is sure to start a trend in that genre. The vocals may not be good, but who did ever claimed that rock music was about vocals? The music is soulful and you will certainly have to leave your seats and applaud the music director as well as the vocalists.In short, Rock On is a welcome change for movie lovers. Let's just hope the film directors get the message and we get to watch such wonderful movie in the future...