Review by Sify
Dileep has made the American Independence day (July 4), the new festival season in Kerala. This year with competition peeking, Dileep has come out with an action adventure July 4. It is a clean entertainer told in the action format by director Joshy and is breezy while it lasts.Like all Joshy films of the 80’s, this one two starts in a prison, where the protagonist Gokuldas (Dileep), is brutally beaten up by the Superintend of the jail, former ACP Ramachandran (Siddique).
title) but Ramacha
ndran is determined that he will not leave the jail alive! In a flashback Gokuldas, narrates to the good jailor Potti (Innocent), his life and times and why the bad cop Ramachandran is after his blood.
Gokuldas as a child witnessed his mother being brutally raped and killed by a cop, while he and other children accused of being thieves was in lock-up. Later he and the other children kill the cop and run away to Mumbai, where they join the underworld. But the death of an innocent taxi driver and close friend Gopalettan (Vijayraghavan) in a police encounter, makes Das change his attitude. He opts for a peaceful life in Coimbatore as a taxi driver, and also takes a decision to look after his friends daughters.
One day he picks up Sripriya(Roma), daughter of the Palakkad business tycoon Viswanathan (Devan) from the Coimbatore airport. He later becomes close to Viswanathan and his family, and soon becomes their driver. One day Das finds out that Sripriya’s marriage has been fixed with Unni(Sharat), the daughter of the Palakkad ASP, Ramachandran, while actually he is in love with Shilpa(Mangala), Sripriya’s younger sister!
Later Das while taking Sripriya for an examination in Coimbatore are chased by a gang of three toughies, who the previous night had tried to break in to her bedroom. They have to abandon the car and are on the run in Valayar forest, with toughies after them.
After spending a night together in an old abandoned house, Das slowly falls for Sripriya. Next day he alone ventures out and abruptly meets up with the toughies and soon they are hugging each other! Well that is the interval twist in the story. Post interval it is revealed that the three toughies- William (Riaz Khan), Danny, and Feroz were Das’s buddies in crime from his younger days, and they had planned Sripriya’s kidnap drama. And they were working for ACP Ramachandran, who now wants Sripriya dead! There are more interesting turns as the story unfolds, with a cracker of a climax twist.
Joshy and his script writers Sibi-Udayakrishnan has made it racy, giving you no time to think, as twists in the story takes place at every turn. The writers have liberally borrowed the plots of many Hindi and Tamil films of the 80’s and 90’s, to give the chills and thrills to the narration.
It is an out and out Dileep film, where he flexes his muscles more than making you laugh, as Gokuldas,the guy with some negative shades. However without any crass comedy, the actor has done a decent job. Roma has only one expression throughout the film, and has to check her weight if she is here to stay.
Siddique as the bad cop who is asthmatic (inspired by Big-B of Khakki) is very good. The rest of the cast of Innocent, Devan, Cochin Haneefa, Riaz Khan and Salim Kumar have all done their walk-in roles adequately. Ouseappachan’s music is average.
On the whole July 4 is a 2 hours 15 minute rollercoaster ride with some thrilling moments.
ndran is determined that he will not leave the jail alive! In a flashback Gokuldas, narrates to the good jailor Potti (Innocent), his life and times and why the bad cop Ramachandran is after his blood.Gokuldas as a child witnessed his mother being brutally raped and killed by a cop, while he and other children accused of being thieves was in lock-up. Later he and the other children kill the cop and run away to Mumbai, where they join the underworld. But the death of an innocent taxi driver and close friend Gopalettan (Vijayraghavan) in a police encounter, makes Das change his attitude. He opts for a peaceful life in Coimbatore as a taxi driver, and also takes a decision to look after his friends daughters.
One day he picks up Sripriya(Roma), daughter of the Palakkad business tycoon Viswanathan (Devan) from the Coimbatore airport. He later becomes close to Viswanathan and his family, and soon becomes their driver. One day Das finds out that Sripriya’s marriage has been fixed with Unni(Sharat), the daughter of the Palakkad ASP, Ramachandran, while actually he is in love with Shilpa(Mangala), Sripriya’s younger sister!
Later Das while taking Sripriya for an examination in Coimbatore are chased by a gang of three toughies, who the previous night had tried to break in to her bedroom. They have to abandon the car and are on the run in Valayar forest, with toughies after them.
After spending a night together in an old abandoned house, Das slowly falls for Sripriya. Next day he alone ventures out and abruptly meets up with the toughies and soon they are hugging each other! Well that is the interval twist in the story. Post interval it is revealed that the three toughies- William (Riaz Khan), Danny, and Feroz were Das’s buddies in crime from his younger days, and they had planned Sripriya’s kidnap drama. And they were working for ACP Ramachandran, who now wants Sripriya dead! There are more interesting turns as the story unfolds, with a cracker of a climax twist.
Joshy and his script writers Sibi-Udayakrishnan has made it racy, giving you no time to think, as twists in the story takes place at every turn. The writers have liberally borrowed the plots of many Hindi and Tamil films of the 80’s and 90’s, to give the chills and thrills to the narration.
It is an out and out Dileep film, where he flexes his muscles more than making you laugh, as Gokuldas,the guy with some negative shades. However without any crass comedy, the actor has done a decent job. Roma has only one expression throughout the film, and has to check her weight if she is here to stay.
Siddique as the bad cop who is asthmatic (inspired by Big-B of Khakki) is very good. The rest of the cast of Innocent, Devan, Cochin Haneefa, Riaz Khan and Salim Kumar have all done their walk-in roles adequately. Ouseappachan’s music is average.
On the whole July 4 is a 2 hours 15 minute rollercoaster ride with some thrilling moments.
Verdict- Time Pass
Review by indiaglitz
Dileep seems to have a very bad luck with his lucky day releases for the last couple of Years. Like Pandippada of the last year, this year's July release 'July4' too is a little disappointing action adventure. Joshy and his script writers Sibi k Thomas - Udayakrishna has tried to make it racy, giving you no time to think, but as story moves on from twists to twists , the audience did expected a much more worked out climax. And devoid of this climax chills, the film seems like offering nothing after peeling off a big onion. The writers have liberally borrowed the plots of many Hindi and Tamil films of the 80's and 90's, and has succeeded in making it interesting as it lasts, but as we are just out of the hall, we feel a sort of emptiness with nothing to cherish Following all the lucky Joshy films of the 80's, this one too starts in a prison, with a very crooked police officer, a former ACP, Ramachandran assuming the charges as the superintendent of the Central Jail. After a briefing about the jail inmates by the jailor Naarayanan Potty, Ramachandran finds Gokul Das, who is serving a three-year term for stabbing a police officer. He is to be released soon, for his good conduct on July 4th.As Ramachandran starts to beat Gokul Das brutally, we realize that, Ramachandran had taken charge of the jail in order to settle some old scores with him. The flashback unfurls as Das narrates his story to the jailor Potty, why the bad cop Ramachandran is after his blood.
The story is then told in episodic manner, where, Gokul Das as a child has to see his mother raped and killed by a police officer in a police station. He then teams up with some other boys and takes revenge on the police officer. Then they flee
to Mumbai, where they become criminals, constantly at clash with the cops. As a new Anti Terrorist force comes up to eliminate the goonda gangs, they break up and Das takes shelter in the family of a close friend, Gopalan who is a taxi driver. But the police, who followed him, trace their hideouts and the following encounter results in the death of the innocent taxi driver. This changes the attitudes of Das, who then opts for a peaceful life in Coimbatore as a taxi driver, looking after his friend's daughters.
One day he meets a young girl Sripriya at the airport, and after a bit of twists he finally lands up in her house. Her father Viswanathan, a business tycoon finds the talkative guy interesting and offers him a job there as a driver and from here things take a new turn. After the engagement of Priya with Unni, the son of Ramachandran Das takes Sripriya for an examination in Coimbatore. But on the way back, they are chased by a gang of three toughies, who in the previous night had tried to break into her bedroom. Gokul Das and Sreepriya have to abandon the car and are on the run in Valayar forest, with the gangue after them. As they are forced to spend a few days together, they develop a liking for each other. But they don't expects that a lot of disheartening things are in store for them in and outside the forests , as the film quickly turns into a thriller .The film which proceeds with interesting turn around at regular intervals , but couldn't survive it to the last sequences which invites some booing from the audience. Dileep gives a good and sincere performance to live up to the role, but the same cannot be told about Roma who plays Priya. Both seem to share no screen chemistry and that seems to be the biggest downfall of the film as we are not invited with interest to think about their life together. The actress definitely looks stunning and is admirable as a doll in newer outfits. Siddique is in a tailor made role as Ramachandran, the bad cop, who is a little asthmatic and reminds you of the Amitabh Bachchan of 'Khakhi'. Innocent as the jailor Potty also gives an inspiring performance totaly away from his usual maneuvers. Devan, Vijayaraghavan, Lakshmi Ramakrishnan, Cochin Haneefa, Riyas Khan and Mangala are strictly ok in their walk in roles.
As usual with the Joshy films, this one too seems perfect in technical sides with Shaji providing some awesome visuals behind the camera. Ranjan Abrahan has packed the film racy with his sharp cuts while Joseph Nellikal in Art department also does an impressive work. The film has four good songs by Ouseppachan, but suits too little to the mood of the movie. ‘Oru vaakum mindaathe’ is the pick among the songs which are all choreographed in regular patterns of a Dileep movie. The film can be termed as a well-made movie, which has its moments but fails to impress in its totality.
The story is then told in episodic manner, where, Gokul Das as a child has to see his mother raped and killed by a police officer in a police station. He then teams up with some other boys and takes revenge on the police officer. Then they flee
to Mumbai, where they become criminals, constantly at clash with the cops. As a new Anti Terrorist force comes up to eliminate the goonda gangs, they break up and Das takes shelter in the family of a close friend, Gopalan who is a taxi driver. But the police, who followed him, trace their hideouts and the following encounter results in the death of the innocent taxi driver. This changes the attitudes of Das, who then opts for a peaceful life in Coimbatore as a taxi driver, looking after his friend's daughters.One day he meets a young girl Sripriya at the airport, and after a bit of twists he finally lands up in her house. Her father Viswanathan, a business tycoon finds the talkative guy interesting and offers him a job there as a driver and from here things take a new turn. After the engagement of Priya with Unni, the son of Ramachandran Das takes Sripriya for an examination in Coimbatore. But on the way back, they are chased by a gang of three toughies, who in the previous night had tried to break into her bedroom. Gokul Das and Sreepriya have to abandon the car and are on the run in Valayar forest, with the gangue after them. As they are forced to spend a few days together, they develop a liking for each other. But they don't expects that a lot of disheartening things are in store for them in and outside the forests , as the film quickly turns into a thriller .The film which proceeds with interesting turn around at regular intervals , but couldn't survive it to the last sequences which invites some booing from the audience. Dileep gives a good and sincere performance to live up to the role, but the same cannot be told about Roma who plays Priya. Both seem to share no screen chemistry and that seems to be the biggest downfall of the film as we are not invited with interest to think about their life together. The actress definitely looks stunning and is admirable as a doll in newer outfits. Siddique is in a tailor made role as Ramachandran, the bad cop, who is a little asthmatic and reminds you of the Amitabh Bachchan of 'Khakhi'. Innocent as the jailor Potty also gives an inspiring performance totaly away from his usual maneuvers. Devan, Vijayaraghavan, Lakshmi Ramakrishnan, Cochin Haneefa, Riyas Khan and Mangala are strictly ok in their walk in roles.
As usual with the Joshy films, this one too seems perfect in technical sides with Shaji providing some awesome visuals behind the camera. Ranjan Abrahan has packed the film racy with his sharp cuts while Joseph Nellikal in Art department also does an impressive work. The film has four good songs by Ouseppachan, but suits too little to the mood of the movie. ‘Oru vaakum mindaathe’ is the pick among the songs which are all choreographed in regular patterns of a Dileep movie. The film can be termed as a well-made movie, which has its moments but fails to impress in its totality.
Review By nowrunning
July 4, which comes from Joshiy, who has made many memorable blockbusters in the past, is a film that is well-made, but elicits some booing from the audience towards the end. The story begins in a jail. Ramachandran, a very agile police officer takes charge as the Jail Superintendent. He is given a brief about the jail and the prisoners by Narayanan Potti, who is the jailer there.
One day Ramachandran comes face to face with Gokul Das, one of the prisoners lodged there who is to be released soon, on July 4th. It is them revealed that the very reason why Ramachandran had taken charge of the jail is to meet Gokul Das, with whom he has some old scores to settle. From here unfurls, in flashback sequences, the story of Gokul Das.
As a child, Gokul Das had no one but his mother to call his own and lived in a street and worked in a cycle shop. When one day he is picked up by the police along with other boys from the street for some crime he has not committed, things go berserk in his life. His mother comes to get him released but is raped and killed by the police officer in charge of the station.
When Gokul comes out, he teams up with some other boys
and takes revenge on the police officer, strangulating him. Then they flee to Mumbai, where they become criminals, constantly at clash with the cops. Things get too hot for them when a daring police officer takes charge, and they break up, with Gokul taking refuge in a colony at the house of one Gopalan, who is a kind-hearted taxi-driver. He gets close with Gopalan and his family, but soon the cops reach there too and in the tussle that follows, Gopalan is killed.
Gokul, who escapes from the cops, is filled with remorse. Later he takes Gopalan's family and leaves Mumbai, deciding to lead a good life. He works as a taxi driver at the Coimbatore airport. One day he meets a young girl Sreepriya at the airport. She later travels in his car. When Sreepriya urges him to speed, offering him more money, he obliges, only to hit an auto rickshaw carrying school children. Sreepriya catches another taxi and continues on her way. Gokul Das later turns up at Sreepriya's house asking for compensation. Her father offers him a job there as a driver and from here things take a new turn. Unexpected things are in store for Gokul Das and Sreepriya.
Dileep as Gokul Das is good and he does justice to his role. Notebook fame Roma as Sreepriya renders able support. Siddique as Ramachandran suits his role perfectly well. Devan as Sreepriya's father Viswanath is OK. Innocent as Narayanan Potti, Vijayaraghavan as Gopalan, Lakshmi Ramakrishnan as Sreepriya's mother, Cochin Haneefa as driver Abu etc do justice to their roles. All the others too fit well into their respective roles.
The technical support too is good. The songs in the film though are not impressive. The only song that is good is "Oru vaakum mindaathe..." To sum up, July 4 is a film that is well-made, but it doesn't impress us much, the main reason being that this is not what is expected out of a Dileep movie. People expect him to play a merry and lively character, and if that is done, they would be ready to accept action too from him. But here we have action and drama only, sans the usual Dileep kind of humour. And that does harm to the film. And similarly in the second half, matters seem to drag a bit. July 4 can be termed a well-made but average kind of film that won't come close to being a must-see.
One day Ramachandran comes face to face with Gokul Das, one of the prisoners lodged there who is to be released soon, on July 4th. It is them revealed that the very reason why Ramachandran had taken charge of the jail is to meet Gokul Das, with whom he has some old scores to settle. From here unfurls, in flashback sequences, the story of Gokul Das.
As a child, Gokul Das had no one but his mother to call his own and lived in a street and worked in a cycle shop. When one day he is picked up by the police along with other boys from the street for some crime he has not committed, things go berserk in his life. His mother comes to get him released but is raped and killed by the police officer in charge of the station.
When Gokul comes out, he teams up with some other boys
and takes revenge on the police officer, strangulating him. Then they flee to Mumbai, where they become criminals, constantly at clash with the cops. Things get too hot for them when a daring police officer takes charge, and they break up, with Gokul taking refuge in a colony at the house of one Gopalan, who is a kind-hearted taxi-driver. He gets close with Gopalan and his family, but soon the cops reach there too and in the tussle that follows, Gopalan is killed.Gokul, who escapes from the cops, is filled with remorse. Later he takes Gopalan's family and leaves Mumbai, deciding to lead a good life. He works as a taxi driver at the Coimbatore airport. One day he meets a young girl Sreepriya at the airport. She later travels in his car. When Sreepriya urges him to speed, offering him more money, he obliges, only to hit an auto rickshaw carrying school children. Sreepriya catches another taxi and continues on her way. Gokul Das later turns up at Sreepriya's house asking for compensation. Her father offers him a job there as a driver and from here things take a new turn. Unexpected things are in store for Gokul Das and Sreepriya.
Dileep as Gokul Das is good and he does justice to his role. Notebook fame Roma as Sreepriya renders able support. Siddique as Ramachandran suits his role perfectly well. Devan as Sreepriya's father Viswanath is OK. Innocent as Narayanan Potti, Vijayaraghavan as Gopalan, Lakshmi Ramakrishnan as Sreepriya's mother, Cochin Haneefa as driver Abu etc do justice to their roles. All the others too fit well into their respective roles.
The technical support too is good. The songs in the film though are not impressive. The only song that is good is "Oru vaakum mindaathe..." To sum up, July 4 is a film that is well-made, but it doesn't impress us much, the main reason being that this is not what is expected out of a Dileep movie. People expect him to play a merry and lively character, and if that is done, they would be ready to accept action too from him. But here we have action and drama only, sans the usual Dileep kind of humour. And that does harm to the film. And similarly in the second half, matters seem to drag a bit. July 4 can be termed a well-made but average kind of film that won't come close to being a must-see.
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