Being a Bollywood fan, I know what the clichés are. Specifically,
those that are in the romance/drama genre. Therefore, it is always a breath of
fresh air when some individuals can open their horizons and make something
which is almost unprecedented. Those individuals in this scenario would be Zoya
Akhtar amongst others. Why I only name her is because I have found myself to
enjoy particular projects that she concorts. Movies like Zindagi Na Milegi
Dobara and Dil Dhadakne Do have given her a good grasp of developing something
familiar yet unique. What do I mean by that? The movie ‘Gully Boy’, once I rip
it to shreds, would explain it.
Now if you can’t tell, this is my rendition of the movie, but you can draw your own message. But to me, lets see what it made so special, or if I feel some type of way.
ZE POZITIBEZ
I have been a fan of rap for more than eight years. So, I was very aware and confident that this movie won’t be able to surprise me. And for the most part, I was right. But I still played into its hands because that was the only way I could have some fun with it. What I would call it is the ‘SHONEN ANIME PRINCIPLE.’ You know what you are going to get, but that is the very reason you watch it. It was predictable and was full of ups and downs, just like the biggest ‘coming from rags to riches’ rap movie ‘8 MILE.’ ALSO, I will be peppering a little bit of ‘BODIED’ her and there. If you don’t know what that is, it is a 2018 movie about battle rap. Plus, its produced by Eminem, so why not.
And I don’t need to push the fact that this is a musical film, which means that the music is really good. To the background soundtrack really catching you by surprise to the addition of A$AP Rocky’s ‘EVERYDAY’ as the mode of contrast to Murad’s reality, was pleasant to say the least. I mean, flipping the cliché through the simplest of means do play out in a grandiose manner.
ZE NEGATIBES
To say that this movie is inspired from Eminem’s 8 Mile would be an understatement. I think the writers went with the 2002 classic as their only reference point, and even going so far to emulate certain parts. Let me guide you through the “8 Mile- Gully Boy Cheat Sheet.”
EXHIBIT A: Murad’s first battle rap. His opponent steals the classic “B-Rabbit vs Papa Doc” opener. I will agree that the following verse I much better, but the similarities were too uncanny for me to pass up. For the same verse, the inspiration clearly comes from battle rap scene. And whatever battle rap is represented in Gully Boy is decent but is definitely is toned down. If you have never experienced an English rap battle, let me tell you one thing: Real rap battles are very ruthless. Case in point, DIZASTER vs. IRON SOLOMON, one of my favorite rap battles. It may not be digestible by the newcomers and people who are easily triggered, but that is the whole point of rap, bro.
Going back to the rap battle in Gully boy, it is a clear copy to B-Rabbit’s choke at the starting of 8-Mile. I don’t have much to say at this point. It was just insulting and boring how it was executed.
EXHIBIT B: I am reaching to get this point across, and I can totally put it in the ‘SIMPLE WRITING, NO CREATIVITY’ box, but Murad’s job as driver has somewhat similar inspiration as to B-Rabbit’s industrial job. Both of them are put off and let down by society and are forced to work at a job they both hate. At the end, they prevail and find success in their hobby.
FINAL THOUGHTS: Gully Boy was a very interesting part in the saga of Bollywood cinema. I hope it can develop into something special. Ranveer Singh comes back with another banger acting. I swear, this guy is like water, able to adapt into any kind of role with ease. Alia Bhatt does justice to her role as spunky, overpowered youth. Vijay Raaz slaps (literally), Vijay Verma impresses, Siddharth Chaturvedi is my love, and Kalki Koechlin is bae 4eva.
Now, I said BODIED would be here, and that aspect comes in very late in the movie. The battles to open for Nas has some brutality (Which should have been throughout), but the whole package was fun. It definitely was the one step in the interesting direction.
RECOMMENDATION: A MUST Watch.
FLAWS: Not enough Nas.
Now if you can’t tell, this is my rendition of the movie, but you can draw your own message. But to me, lets see what it made so special, or if I feel some type of way.
ZE POZITIBEZ
I have been a fan of rap for more than eight years. So, I was very aware and confident that this movie won’t be able to surprise me. And for the most part, I was right. But I still played into its hands because that was the only way I could have some fun with it. What I would call it is the ‘SHONEN ANIME PRINCIPLE.’ You know what you are going to get, but that is the very reason you watch it. It was predictable and was full of ups and downs, just like the biggest ‘coming from rags to riches’ rap movie ‘8 MILE.’ ALSO, I will be peppering a little bit of ‘BODIED’ her and there. If you don’t know what that is, it is a 2018 movie about battle rap. Plus, its produced by Eminem, so why not.
MFW NAS DON'T SHOW UP
A Picture speaks Louder than Rap
And I don’t need to push the fact that this is a musical film, which means that the music is really good. To the background soundtrack really catching you by surprise to the addition of A$AP Rocky’s ‘EVERYDAY’ as the mode of contrast to Murad’s reality, was pleasant to say the least. I mean, flipping the cliché through the simplest of means do play out in a grandiose manner.
ZE NEGATIBES
To say that this movie is inspired from Eminem’s 8 Mile would be an understatement. I think the writers went with the 2002 classic as their only reference point, and even going so far to emulate certain parts. Let me guide you through the “8 Mile- Gully Boy Cheat Sheet.”
EXHIBIT A: Murad’s first battle rap. His opponent steals the classic “B-Rabbit vs Papa Doc” opener. I will agree that the following verse I much better, but the similarities were too uncanny for me to pass up. For the same verse, the inspiration clearly comes from battle rap scene. And whatever battle rap is represented in Gully Boy is decent but is definitely is toned down. If you have never experienced an English rap battle, let me tell you one thing: Real rap battles are very ruthless. Case in point, DIZASTER vs. IRON SOLOMON, one of my favorite rap battles. It may not be digestible by the newcomers and people who are easily triggered, but that is the whole point of rap, bro.
Going back to the rap battle in Gully boy, it is a clear copy to B-Rabbit’s choke at the starting of 8-Mile. I don’t have much to say at this point. It was just insulting and boring how it was executed.
EXHIBIT B: I am reaching to get this point across, and I can totally put it in the ‘SIMPLE WRITING, NO CREATIVITY’ box, but Murad’s job as driver has somewhat similar inspiration as to B-Rabbit’s industrial job. Both of them are put off and let down by society and are forced to work at a job they both hate. At the end, they prevail and find success in their hobby.
FINAL THOUGHTS: Gully Boy was a very interesting part in the saga of Bollywood cinema. I hope it can develop into something special. Ranveer Singh comes back with another banger acting. I swear, this guy is like water, able to adapt into any kind of role with ease. Alia Bhatt does justice to her role as spunky, overpowered youth. Vijay Raaz slaps (literally), Vijay Verma impresses, Siddharth Chaturvedi is my love, and Kalki Koechlin is bae 4eva.
Now, I said BODIED would be here, and that aspect comes in very late in the movie. The battles to open for Nas has some brutality (Which should have been throughout), but the whole package was fun. It definitely was the one step in the interesting direction.
RECOMMENDATION: A MUST Watch.
FLAWS: Not enough Nas.
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