Every single character, except for maybe the kids, plays dumb in Golmaal Again, the fourth film in the series known for exaggerated screwball comedy. Here the gang is back with an unconnected story and the same old approach of one-liners and bombastic slapstick. The horror angle, which justifies the fresh roles of Tabu and Parineeti Chopra, makes it a tad bearable because it improves the humor by at least a few notches. Although it is still mortifying to watch talented actors such as Ajay Devgn and Arshad Warsi fool around and cross the line in the name of comedy, considering the genre and the franchise, the film does not deliver the goods as one would expect. Rohit Shetty is relentless as he stoops to a new low by heavily referencing pop culture to salvage his otherwise plot-less drama. With Johnny Lever's galling performance that sabotages other characters' harried efforts to make you laugh, and Tusshar Kapoor and Shreyas Talpade's redundant roles, the film holds itself on the grand and palpable production design and occasional jokes. Other newcomers Neil Nitin Mukesh and Prakash Raj are strictly textbook villains and don't contribute much. The problem with the film is that it is not sufficient to cinematically entertain a hopeful and informed audience in 2017. Golmaal Again tries too hard to come off as a horror comedy and even though completely validates its fitting tag-line, fails to amuse.

Rohit Shetty is in his comfortable zone. Golmal again is not a bad film, but unable to deliver a superb entertainment. It is funny but week. To many plots but not properly written.

When we laugh, we forget who we are, and just laugh. Laughter binds the generations like an invisible string, stirring and pulling all and sundry, over and over again. And given that Rohit Shetty wants to make you laugh, well, he will do so with panache, be sure. Golmaal Again is the fourth instalment of a highly successful franchise dating back to 2006. The gang is back again! Led by the grimacing grunting Ajay Devgn ( terrific as always), this time the lovable goons are inmates in an orphanage run by a kind soul - Jamnadas ( Uday Tikekar in a rare Bollywood movie appearance). The boys go about their carefree lives poking fun at each other. One day they 'rescue' an abandoned baby girl. She turns out to be a sprightly little lady who quickly becomes the centre of everyone's 'Khushi'. All of a sudden, a kiddish prank by the boys on Ajay AKA Gopal lands them all in trouble. Disgruntled, they leave the premises of the orphanage for good in two separate groups, Gopal and Laxman (Shreyas Talpade, mildly amusing) on one side, followed by Madhav ( Arshad Warsi looking tired), the other Laxman (surprising act by Kunal Khemu) and Lucky
(everyone's darling Tushar Kapoor). Many years and a couple of plot points later, they return to the same orphanage to witness Jamnada's thirteenth-day ritual. Here, Ana the librarian (Tabu as graceful as ever) weaves them onto a backstory and tries her best to ask for their help. Nonetheless, the fighting fivesome goons do not heed and keep battering each other, even falling into the hands of a scheming real estate tycoon (Prakash Raj, yet again !). Gopal falls for the mysterious maid
(Parineeti competent in an important role) and even tries to propose to her. The rest of the gang in a lighter vein cajoles him to go ahead and win her. Therein lies the 'twist' and the far-reaching and long winding part of the story. Characters upon character keep swelling up, reminding one of the sixties masala movies.
However, trust our good ol Rohit anna to deliver when it matters, he throws in the punch lines just when the tiring three hours seem to never end. No doubt some punches miss badly, yet the ones that land, land well. In the department of comedy, undoubtedly the winner is Johnny Lever. In his reprising act of Pappi ''Bhoola'' bhai, he enthrals us the way only he can. A guaranteed scene stealer, he is one good reason why Golmaal Again is a must watch. Next, comes the surprise package in Kunal Khemu. In a refreshing turn, he takes the character to a new level, his swag, comic timing and a newfound glow is unmistakable. The others (ably supported by Sanjai Mishra and Vrajesh Heerji) keep the laff track going. The film cruises on the strong shoulders of Ajay, he uses his drooping lazy gaze, his shy smile and goondagardi to good effect. Golmaal as a franchise is wildly successful, all because of him. We root for him when in a scene a bunch of goons ridicule him and ask ''who the hell are you?'', he cooly pats his forehead and replies ''main yeda (lunatic) hoon''. Tabu lends her acting prowess in a seemingly listless character where there is more of cold staring involved rather than good substance. Yet she handles her part well. The long list of support is mostly decent, everyone chips in with vigour. Of the entire ensemble cast, it is Parineeti who is outstanding in her mystery role. She makes us reach out to her through her sheer charm and vivacity. Every scene of her's is a standout. She remains in the memory in a well etched and well fleshed out role. Her quicksilver show of hurt and rage is exceptional. She deserves something for this role.
The action part of the movie is the biggest letdown. Unimaginative and boring to the core, it didn't suit the stature of a Rohit Shetty movie. The music too is nothing to write about. The songs are a poor rehash of the nineties. The script writing credited to Yunus Sajawal could have been a lot tighter. Some scenes are just too meaningless. Dialogues by Farhad Sajid are suitable to bring the house down. Mostly funny, he retains the best for the most talented, try this - when testing a mike for current shock, Johnny lever fakes being electrocuted and then sobers up suddenly to say ''arree current nahi, yeh talent hai'. The cinematography is oddball and dimly lit. The movie has some untied ends in the plot and a continuity related mistake at the very beginning. However justifying its tag as a Diwali paisa wasool release, Golmaal scores big, AGAIN. Sit back and enjoy this ride while it lasts. Don't go for the logic, its just ''magic''.