Gunday

As a '70s throwback it's definitely not alone in recent years. And yet "Gunday" is a thunderously entertaining movie, which is down to its cast and director.

What makes "Gunday" work and pulls us along is the great skill and obvious affection with which these familiar elements have been deployed.

"Gunday," directed by Ali Abbas Zafar, may be preposterous, but it's rarely dull. And when Mr. Khan and Ms. Chopra are on screen it's something more. It's downright enjoyable.

Gunday is well made, slickly edited and stays true in its rendering of Kolkata during that turbulent era. But Bachchan fans will have more fun identifying all the references and tropes the movie is stuffed with.

This is a messy film with no substantial plot and mismatched pieces that simply don't fit.

Seemingly disparate elements go on to organically weave together into a coherent whole as a buddy/action/crime dramedy, with some exuberant production numbers as infectious icing on the proverbial cake.

Viewers with increasing concerns that Bollywood's recent action/comedies are far too reliant on tiresome conventions will see this as further proof; for those simply looking for escapism of the highest order, this romp should do just fine.