Haunted 3D
A; Horror
Dir: Vikram Bhatt
Cast: Mahaakshay, Tia Bajpai, Achint Kaur, Mohan Kapur, Arif Zakaria
**
What's it about: There's something about this genre that fascinates Vikram Bhatt. We don't blame him, he's made a couple of horror/romantic thrillers in the past and seems like he's developed an affinity towards creaking doors and foggy hill stations.
With Haunted he tries to do many things at the same time create horror at the centre of a love story and use the 3D medium to raise the scare-o-meter. Beginning in Ooty, the film revolves around a haunted house that has a murky story dating 80 years back in time.
Mahaakshay (formerly Mimoh) heads this spooky hunt as he's sucked into the shady past of the house and its residents. There's ample of blood, gore and ghost busting lasting over two hours.
What's hot: Bhatt knows how to create the right setting to start the drama. This is his playground and he uses all the familiar elements well to create suspense and intrigue. As soon as we enter the haunted house the action starts.
Even though he gives away too much right in the beginning, it still keeps us engaged to know what might happen next. Spirits with unfinished business is a common peg to hinge your plot on, but here we get transferred to a lengthy flashback that explains the whole phenomenon well.
Cinematography and background music adds to the drama. Special effects and make up are remarkable, especially in the case of Zakaria and Kaur who must have gone through strenuous hours to look like that.
What's not: Haunted is way too clich ©d in many places to appreciate it as a cohesive work. The dialogues, scenes and scares have been done before. Even though the medium (3D) is new, Bhatt fails to capitalize on it. When Hollywood films like SAW are using it to its advantage we yet are confused with this technology.
Everything starts on the right foot, but soon there's way too much happening. When we get transported back in time, the story becomes predictable. Some scenes will raise chuckles when not expected. The rape scenes are cringeworthy and extended for no reason whatsoever.
Once we see the ghosts in their form and shape they lose the element of surprise. Major pain is the climax that goes over the top in every department.
Dialogues are corny and regressive. Mahaakshay fits the role, but needs to loosen up a bit. He has the same sullen expression through out, but lights up when he breaks into a popping-locking dance routine. Tia has the looks but lacks the ability to grasp your attention for long.
Arif and Achint deliver exactly what's expected from them. The music is below average and none of the tracks stay with you after the end.
What to do: Haunted fails in the attempt to come out as a solid effort, but has a few moments of genuine scare that are far and few.
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