Like the spaghetti and curds concoction that Shah Rukh digs into in an early scene, ‘Ra.One’ is clearly an acquired taste.

It is a superstarry slurry sludge, with just the occasional consolatory sparkle.

Ra-One is sure to usher in a crackling Diwali at the box office and give the audience paisa vasool entertainment, with fine performances by both Shah Rukh and Kareena. Even young Armaan is efficient. Go have a blast.

Look at the film. The fuss was necessary! Producers make plans of a franchise obvious with the final scene. That, I fear may have G.One with the wind. But then you never know, right? Seriously.

Ra.One seems to have been put together rather half-heartedly — a song forced in here, a handful of laughable special appearances there (including an unforgivable one of Superstar Rajinikanth) and a little slapstick comedy and rona-dhona thrown in too.

RA.One is like a colourful Popsicle that looks tantalising, tickles the palate while it lasts, but leaves no particular after-taste. Sound and fury? Loads of it. Significance? Not much.

Even though die-hard fans will freak out, SRK’S G.One lacks the chutzpah of Main Hoon Na’s Major Ram, where he similarly vanquished a terrorist called ‘Raghavan’ at the end.

On the whole, Ra.One has the novelty factor and visual effects as its greatest plus points. It may be lagging in the other departments but these two – novelty and visual effects – will definitely see the high-budgeted film make profits for all concerned. Looking to the almost unprecedented hype and huge craze for the film and its grand opening, it will sail past its safety mark in the first week itself (after considering all the other sources of revenue too) and then go on to yield profits.

On the whole, RA.ONE is a solid entertainer, no two opinions on that. It’s not merely a great looking film, but also has soul, which is so essential to strike a chord with the avid moviegoer. As for the business prospects, RA.ONE is sure to shatter all previous records and set new ones, in India as well as internationally. The film will be the new yardstick for measuring success. It has Blockbuster written all over it!

For teenagers, this should definitely be a delight.

For me it’s a one time watch if you’re curious, best saved for DVD and will be quickly forgotten. A massive opportunity gone to waste!

Watch it for the special effects and for ‘Chammak Challo’. Don’t expect it to woo you the way other SRK films do, because it isn’t the same.