Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Latest
    • 3627. I Believe In Miracles (2015)
    • 3626. The Man With One Red Shoe (1985)
    • 3625. Ode To Joy (2019)
    • 3624. One Chance (2013)
    • 3623. Falling For Figaro (2020)
    • 3622. The Polka King (2017)
    • 3621. Spies In Disguise (2019)
    • 3620. Friendzone (2021)
    The Mad Movie Man
    • Home
    • Blog
      • All Posts
      • Best Of The Year
        • Best Of 2015
        • Best Of 2016
        • Best Of 2017
        • Best Of 2018
        • Best Of 2019
        • Best Of 2020
        • Best Of 2021
        • Best Of 2022
      • The Decade In Review
      • Box Office Analysis
      • James Bond
      • Oscars
      • RANKED
      • Star Wars
      • The Big Questions
      • Top 10
      • World Cinema
    • Ratings
      • Top 250
      • Top 100 Foreign Films
      • Bottom 50
      • 0 – 1.9
      • 2 – 3.9
      • 4 – 5.9
      • 6 – 7.9
      • 8 – 10
    • Genres
      • Action
      • Anthology
      • Animation
      • Christmas
      • Comedy
      • Crime
      • Documentary
      • Drama
      • Fantasy
      • Film-Noir
      • History
      • Horror
      • Kids’
      • Musical
      • Psychological
      • Romance
      • Sci-Fi
      • Short
      • Silent
      • Sport
      • Superhero
      • Survival
      • Thriller
      • Western
    • Release Year
      • 2020s
      • 2010s
      • 2000s
      • 1990s
      • 1980s
      • 1970s
      • 1960s
      • 1950s
      • 1940s
      • 1930s
      • 1920s
    • Country
      • Afghanistan
      • Argentina
      • Australia
      • Austria
      • Belgium
      • Brazil
      • Cambodia
      • Canada
      • Chile
      • China
      • Colombia
      • Costa Rica
      • Czechoslovakia
      • Czech Republic
      • Denmark
      • East Timor
      • Faroe Islands
      • Finland
      • France
      • Germany
      • Georgia
      • Greece
      • Hong Kong
      • Hungary
      • Iceland
      • India
      • Indonesia
      • Iran
      • Iraq
      • Ireland
      • Israel
      • Italy
      • Japan
      • Latvia
      • Lebanon
      • Laos
      • Malaysia
      • Mexico
      • New Zealand
      • Nigeria
      • North Korea
      • Norway
      • Paraguay
      • Peru
      • Philippines
      • Poland
      • Romania
      • Russia
      • Saudi Arabia
      • Singapore
      • South Korea
      • South Africa
      • Soviet Union
      • Spain
      • Sweden
      • Switzerland
      • Syria
      • Taiwan
      • Thailand
      • Turkey
      • Uganda
      • United Kingdom
      • United States
      • Uruguay
      • Vietnam
      • Zambia
    • About
    The Mad Movie Man
    You are at:Home»Review»3087. Neerja (2016)

    3087. Neerja (2016)

    0
    By The Mad Movie Man on September 14, 2020 120-129 mins, 2016, 6 - 7.9, Action, Drama, History, India, Movies Of 2020, Review, Sep 20, Thriller
    7.7 A gritty hijack thriller
    • Acting 7.8
    • Directing 7.8
    • Story 7.5
    • User Ratings (0 Votes) 0

    Starring: Sonam Kapoor, Shabana Azmi, Yogendra Tiku

    Director: Ram Madhvani

    Running Time: 122 mins


    Neerja is an Indian film about the true story of  the hijacking of Pan Am Flight 73, and the flight attendant who put herself in the face of danger to thwart the terrorists’ plan and save her passengers.

    Up there with United 93 as one of the most intense and immersive hijack movies ever made, Neerja is an exhilarating and terrifying watch throughout. Detailing a true story of devastating proportions, the film has you really on edge at its most intense moments, though it struggles to tell the emotional side of its story in equally gripping fashion.

    As a biography of Neerja Bhanot, the flight attendant onboard Pan Am Flight 73, the film doesn’t have to limit itself purely to the events of the hijacking. Therefore, it’s less focused at first on throwing you into the intensity of the crisis in similar fashion to United 93 or 7500, but more so on introducing you to Neerja and letting you form an emotional connection with her.

    Frustratingly, the film’s opening act fails to really endear you to her character in any remarkable way. While Sonam Kapoor is likeable in the role from the start, the screenplay really struggles to find a powerful dramatic point of interest in her back story, attempting to use a couple of events in her past that tenuously and awkwardly link to the day that would define her life.

    As a person, the film portrays Neerja’s kind-hearted and caring attitude well, and Sonam Kapoor does well to make her a really wonderful lead throughout. But as far as developing a really strong emotional connection goes, this film doesn’t really achieve its goals in the early stages.

    However, when the events on board Flight 73 do begin to unfold, the movie evolves quickly into a strikingly intense hijack thriller. With gritty, uncompromising violence and a fast, hectic pace, Neerja becomes an exhilarating watch filled with genuine terror as we watch the hijackers take control of the plane.

    Immersive in its ability to put you in real fear of the terrorists, every second that ticks by as the perpetrators threaten the lives of the passengers in exchange for their demands is agonising, and the film never holds back in showing the most heartbreaking and frightening moments of the real-world events.

    The hijacking is an action-packed affair, but Neerja never cheapens or overdramatises the reality of the situation by keeping the story focused on the fear of the passengers and staff on board, and the ever-growing tension between the terrorists themselves.

    As a result, you’re always on edge as you wait for the next cruel twist of fate to inevitably come, making for a both thrilling and genuinely terrifying viewing experience.

    As far as hijack thrillers go, Neerja may not be the most emotionally powerful film, but its ability to place you in the shoes of those onboard the plane and strike fear into your eyes with its use of violence and tension is incredible, and makes the film a hugely impressive and affecting watch. So, that’s why I’m giving Neerja a 7.7 overall.

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    The Mad Movie Man
    • Website
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    The Mad Movie Man, AKA Anthony Cullen, writes articles and reviews about movies and the world of cinema. Since January 1st, 2013, he has watched and reviewed a movie every day. This is the blog dedicated to the project: www.madmovieman.com

    Related Posts

    7.1

    3627. I Believe In Miracles (2015)

    5.8

    3626. The Man With One Red Shoe (1985)

    7.9

    3625. Ode To Joy (2019)

    Follow Me Online!
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
    • Tumblr
    New Releases
    5.3
    January 17, 2022

    3620. Friendzone (2021)

    7.1
    January 10, 2022

    3612. The Lost Daughter (2021)

    8.0
    January 7, 2022

    3609. Licorice Pizza (2021)

    7.2
    January 7, 2022

    3608. Lamb (2021)

    7.4
    December 30, 2021

    3599. The King’s Man (2021)

    6.3
    December 29, 2021

    3598. The Matrix Resurrections (2021)

    8.4
    December 28, 2021

    3597. West Side Story (2021)

    6.3
    December 27, 2021

    3596. Gunpowder Milkshake (2021)

    Recommended Movies
    8.0
    Review
    September 20, 20190

    2688. The Farewell (2019)

    8.3
    Review
    December 25, 20140

    794. Die Hard (1988)

    8.0
    Review
    June 15, 20170

    1788. 3-Iron (빈집) (2004)

    8.2
    Review
    August 5, 20170

    1846. Williams (2017)

    8.4
    Review
    September 12, 20190

    2678. Kahaani (2012)

    Popular Posts
    7.1
    January 24, 2022

    3627. I Believe In Miracles (2015)

    5.8
    January 23, 2022

    3626. The Man With One Red Shoe (1985)

    7.9
    January 22, 2022

    3625. Ode To Joy (2019)

    7.4
    January 21, 2022

    3624. One Chance (2013)

    6.3
    January 20, 2022

    3623. Falling For Figaro (2020)

    7.5
    January 19, 2022

    3622. The Polka King (2017)

    6.0
    January 18, 2022

    3621. Spies In Disguise (2019)

    © 2022 ThemeSphere. Designed by ThemeSphere.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.