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Bodyguard

31 August 2011Hindi2h 14m
ActionThriller
out of 10
Mixedlukewarm or divided
Monk Score · 13 critic reviews

Salman carries a slick but hollow thriller that runs out of story by the second half.

Verdict tier Mixed, lukewarm or divided, on a scale of Unfavorable, Mixed, Recommended, Exceptional.

  • Praised: Salman Khan's screen presence
  • Criticised: Weak contrived script and excess

Audience

User score 4.7 out of 10 from 7 ratings, Unfavorable
Read 2 audience reviews ↓

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Critic consensus

What 13 critics are saying

Critical reception for Bodyguard was largely mixed to negative, with most reviewers finding the film narratively weak, contrived, and reliant on star power over substance. Where praise existed, it was directed almost entirely at Salman Khan's screen presence and the film's action sequences, with a handful of critics also noting an engaging first half and a dramatic plot twist. The most consistent criticism across reviews was a formulaic, convenient script and a second half that descends into excess and lazy storytelling. Several critics acknowledged the film's likely commercial success while distancing that prediction from any artistic endorsement.

How the 13 scores spread

Positive / mixed / negative reviews

Positive = 6.5/10 and up · negative = below 5/10

AI-generated summary of 13 critic reviews · may contain errors

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From the papers

Critic reviews (13)

Top critics first, then by score · not-rated last · updated

  1. Top critic

    Times Of India

    Film review ·

    The film, a remake of a South Indian hit, may end up as another blockbuster, like most Salman films have been doing in the recent past. Yet, sadly, this one's mostly bluster.

  2. Top critic

    IBNLive

    Film review ·

    No question it's going to make a lot of money at the box-office, but you have to be a die-hard fan to forgive this film its many flaws. The rest must resign themselves to the fact that there's truth in that dialogue Aditya Pancholi's character says about our hero in the film: "Iska time accha chal raha hai".

  3. Top critic

    NDTV

    Film review ·

    Bodyguard is an out-and-out Salman Khan film meant to be taken in the festive spirit of the season. Love it or lump, chances are that its backers will be laughing all the way to that bank while you, if you aren't willing to give its excesses a long rope, will be tearing your hair out in exasperation.

  5. Bollywood Hungama

    Film review ·

    On the whole, BODYGUARD works for varied reasons -- it has a simple, but captivating story with a dramatic twist in the tale, the chemistry between the lead actors is perfect and the music is well juxtaposed in the narrative. But its biggest USP is, without doubt, Salman Khan. He carries the film on his broad and brawny shoulders and that alone is the imperative reason for watching this film. BODYGUARD should emerge his third festive hit and fourth super-success at the ticket window. Expect a hurricane called BODYGUARD to strike at the box-office.

  6. Glamsham

    Film review ·

    It's Salman all the way with Kareena Kapoor bringing in the brilliance of Geet from JAB WE MET. Mention must be made of Tsunami, a character who entertains without being a jerk.

  7. KoiMoi

    Film review ·

    On the whole, Bodyguard had the germs to become a super-hit fare but it remains a good fare mainly because its script looks contrived and too convenient at places. All the same, it will prove to be a box-office hit because of several extraneous factors going in its favour – Salman Khan riding the wave of popularity, its release on the festive occasion of Eid and the public's hunger for larger than life star-studded entertainment as there has been no such real entertainer since five weeks, which has resulted in an earth-shattering opening.

  8. Zee News

    Film review ·

    The first half of the film flows smoothly while the second half grips you with its unexpected twists.

  9. Bollyspice

    Film review ·

    Bodyguard is a film which, although fitting to the season and celebration of Eid, may find it hard to create and leave a mark with the audiences. It's a movie which will be known for its light-hearted scenes more than those with the dishoom-dishoom, if remembered at all.

  10. Rediff

    Film review ·

    Before slumping into a silly space of trashy humour and hasty sentimentality, Bodyguard intermittently comes alive with a swashbuckling Sallu engaging in some SFX-aided action.

  11. Sachin Chatte

    Film review ·

    When it comes to a Salman Khan movie, reviews or opinions hardly matter. There are die hard fans who would even watch a three hour film if Salman were to stare at the cracks in a ceiling all the while. So, once again we have Salman's shirt coming off (this time water gushing from pipe which unbuttons his shirt) displaying his biceps, abs and a well shaved chest, before he can beat the bad guys to pulp.

From our readers

Audience reviews (2)

7 ratings · user score 4.7

  1. Prashast SinghJul 2017
    3/10

    I had never expected this from Salman Khan. After watching Ready, I had never thought that he would make such a disappointing film. A big disappointment overall! In other words, "Bodyguard" has no Bodyguard for the film and due to it the film got ruined. I have a belief that action movies never fail to entertain , but this myth was broken after I watched this film. I will not say anything more as I have already described what the film it is- a mindless entertainer with nonsense comedy and a few good action scenes. At least,there would have been a few jokes and focus on the story, but however even the junked story does not work well at all. Neither Salman nor his body made it a film. This film can't be compared to his previous blockbusters as this is not even a film. The worst film of the year!

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