ABCD 2 MOVIE REVIEW

ABCD 2 is the sequel to the 2013 dance hit (Any Body Can Dance) which featured Prabhu Deva in the best possible manner as a dance master who inspires a bunch of talented underdog dancers to glory. Being a sequel, the scale is much bigger this time around and the World Hip-hop Dance Championship in Las Vegas is the target in sight. There are other elements like romance (with 2 women setting their sights on Varun Dhawan), some emotional family baggage associated with Prabhu Deva, testing moments of struggle, the triumph of team work and of course a heavy dose of patriotism as the action shifts to Vegas in the 2nd half.

 

The setup is similar as we again have a maligned dance group which is looking to redeem itself, after being tagged as cheaters, at the aforesaid international championship with Prabhu Deva (Vishnu master) as their mentor and guide. Varun Dhawan and Shraddha Kapoor lead the group and we have celebrated characters from the first installment like Dharmesh Yelande, Lauren Gottlieb and Punit Pathak (despite being dead in the 1st part) making an appearance here too amid loud cheering from the crowd.

 

The hip-hop dance moves are a treat to watch on the big screen thanks to the actors performing them, the choreography, the grand manner in which the sequences are staged and filmed, the pyrotechnics and of course the emotional connect in most of the scenes featuring the Indian group. This may all be an overdose for those not into dance as there are many teams indulging in a similar style, but for dancers and dance buffs, it's a wholesome treat till the end. Speaking about the ending, it isn't the expected one and a pat to the direction team for throwing a little twist at us and still keeping us hooked to the proceedings. We ought to leave the hall satisfied for sure ! 

 

With the film majorly being about hip-hop dance, the composers Sachin - Jigar have warmed up to the task completely and given us an authentic dose of this genre. Except the odd romance number towards the end, which is shot in a really scenic locale, the rest of the numbers are all along the narrative.

 

The cinematographer and editor have also been in sync with all the music - dance around and the visuals and cuts are sleek, grandiose and bright. The production value is a definite ace for the film and the Disney team hasn't sparred any expense. Regarding the 3D, we get good depth in the visuals and when it comes to the dance moves, stuff like caps being thrown towards the screen definitely adds to the fun. ABCD 2 is a theatrical experience and won't be as much fun in the small screen!

 

Coming to the actors, this is another milestone for Varun Dhawan who is splendid in the dances and shows his typical energy and spunk all through. After the grim and dark Badlapur, ABCD 2 is a return to the colorful world for Varun. Shraddha is terrific in her moves and her really slender and supple frame serves her well for the numerous dance sequences. She does surprise with her prowess at dancing. Lauren grabs all eyeballs whenever she is on screen as her attitude, moves and personality are such. Prabhu Deva's raw Hindi is a sore point and he is cornered in the 2nd half after getting quite a few good moments in the 1st half. The rest of the dancers / actors do what is required.

 

Director - choreographer Remo D'Souza has a winner in hand despite the overall predictability and cliched elements. It takes guts to make a movie on dance twice, and succeeding too. This is an established  franchise now. Remo has gone with the tried and tested 'underdog' template with a nice little spin in the end. Watch it on the big screen for the dances and for the wholesome way in which the actors have gone about giving life to them.