Rating: 
Summary: Feel Good Movie
Review: I was home sick and accidently ran across this delightful movie while surfing through the channels. It literally made me feel better. (smile) I usually do not look at movies with subtitles, but this movie kept my attention. If you like romance, if you like sports, and if you like musicals you will love this movie. It was very easy to follow, and it touches the heart. A very powerful and warm film, I highly recommend it.I enjoyed it so much, I am here today in amazon ordering my on copy. It's a keeper!
Rating:
Summary: Hugely entertaining
Review: Normally the idea of an almost 4-hour movie with 7 show-stopping song-and-dance numbers would send me running from the theater screaming. We have also seen this plot a million times before: the group of misfits and underdogs band together against overwhelming odds and triumph over a repugnant opponent in the end. The characters in the film can border on the cartoonish at times. So how is it that this movie can be so entertaining? I am mystified by the fact that I enjoyed it so much. But the fact remains that this movie is tremendously engaging. Despite its length, it never bogs down. Despite the obvious outcome of the cricket match, the movie loses no intensity. As for the song-and-dance numbers...well, I think Broadway could take some pointers from this movie. I never found myself cringing as the music started up and the characters suddenly broke into another song. This is definitely one of the best efforts of Bollywood. There are not a lot of movies that I would happily go back to the theater to see, but this is one. It is just simply fun and entertaining...four hours well spent!
Rating: 
Summary: Entertaining on many levels
Review: Anticipating a category 4 hurricane's track can be an upsetting ordeal. In order to take my mind off the threatening weather, I rented this four hour epic to watch in lieu of the usual media coverage of Hurricane Lilli's landfall based on positive reviews that I had read for the movie "Monsoon Wedding." I was not disappointed. Although set in a different time period, Lagaan more than adequately soothed my hurricane-jangled nerves and more than once had me laughing out loud, tapping my feet and smiling broadly.
The plot is a typical one: underdogs in the form of a raggle-taggle group of villagers battle a pristine regiment of the British Raj which controls the local cantonment . The violence however is minimal, no grand battles or scenes with charging horses and sabers flashing in the sun. Here, the rivalry between the two factions plays out on the cricket field where the well-trained and cohesive British team locks horns with the just barely strung together eleven of the villagers. The villagers have a lot at stake; the lack of rain has presaged a poor crop for the season, yet the British have demanded a double tax but have provided a loophole--if the villagers win the cricket match the Lagaan (tax) will be suspended for three years,if they lose, they pay triple tax instead of double. Despite the villagers' lack of desire to pick up the gauntlet, it takes only one hothead to seal their fate.
Like all inspirational stories of this sort, this one relies on strong archetypal characters to make it feasible. Bhuvan is the idealistic village dreamer who accepts the challenge and must face the wrath and disbelief of the villagers. Silly sweet Gauri is the girl who hopes to win his heart and stands by him during the selection and training of the makeshift team. Captain Russell, as the arrogant British officer, is easy to dislike while his sister Elizabeth, innocent and well-meaning is admired and pitied as loses more than her brother's respect when she clandestinely aids the fledgling cricketeers.
Totally unexpected was the musical aspect of this film. As in any Broadway or Hollywood musical, spontaneous moments of song and dance happen throughout the film to emphasize and reveal the characters inner emotions to the audience. Thankfully, most of this film's numbers are limited to colorful renditions of Indian folk music and dance which to my Western eye and ear were different enough to maintain my attention and actually add something to the story. Happily there were no showstoppers during the crucial cricket match only play by play action which had my eyes riveted to the screen and my teeth clenched each time the Indian team erred. Of course, there is no surprise at the outcome, but the getting there is worth the four hour viewing time.
I would highly recommend this film as family fare although I doubt many of the males will sit through each and every song and dance. If a more contempory adult story is warranted, try 'Monsoon Wedding'--more singing and dancing although a bit more world beat and five simultaneous stories spinning off the one wedding event.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic Film
Review: My first exposure to Bollywood came in the form of 'Asoka'. I cannot begin to describe the reaction it instilled in me except to say that Shah Rukh Khan is now a major star in my house and that my dvd rarely stays in its case. Whichever film I chose to watch next was going to have to work very hard to even come close. It's a good thing I chose 'Lagaan'. 'Lagaan' is a story built upon immense emotion. Anger, despair, joy--they're all remarkably on display in this epic film. And the viewer experiences each in turn. Each character (or set of characters if you are to lump the British into one group) represents typical roles. You have the "good" Bhuvan, willing to give anyone a chance, to defend his beliefs with passion and conviction. You have the "bad" Captain Russell, vindictive and malicious, blinded by what power he has. However just because they do not appear to be multi-dimensional it does not hinder the impact of their presence. You find yourself a staunch supporter of the rag-tag band of would be cricket players, willing them to form a cohesive team in order to beat back the casual brutality of the British officers. There are moments that in any other movie might seem contrived, leading, but in 'Lagaan' are simply moving. One such case involves an "untouchable," a crippled man of lower caste, and his scenes are heartbreaking where they might have been considered didactic. There is also a love story, a love triangle of sorts, but it is handled in a refreshing manner, and is thankfully overshadowed by greater aspirations-namely, the game of cricket itself. Whoever thought that a roughly two hour game that some of us have very little familiarity with could be so exciting, so nail-bitingly intense? But then, it's not really the game itself that is so intense, but the hope you have for the "home team" and their inevitable victory. By the last minutes of the game I was practically in tears and smiling all the same. The music of 'Lagaan' didn't carry the same energy and playfulness that 'Asoka's did. The songs were meant to be more a part of the actual story then an interlude designed to add to the over all appeal. I appreciated them more for their connection to plot then for the choreographed dance moves assigned to them. Really, they were nice, but not at all necessary, and that's not a bad thing. Though my heart still belongs to 'Asoka' in terms of Bollywood productions, it's really no wonder 'Lagaan' found itself in Academy Award contendership. It is a quality film with a wonderful sense of atmosphere and emotion. Even if you're not one to normally sit through an epic movie in subtitles, give 'Lagaan' a chance and sit back to enjoy a remarkable film experience.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent!
Review: I saw this movie almost a year ago and was very happy with it. Many Bollywood (India's hollywood, by the way i found out it is bigger than hollywood and that it is watched by oriental people, middle eastern people, russians, and other europeans as well) movies are full of fluff it seems like. Not Lagaan. I really enjoyed this movie for several reasons. While there was a clear distinction between the good and the evil in this movie, it didn't take the cheap way out of showing all the Indians as good and all the British people as bad. One of the villains is an Indian, and one of the heroines is British. It also didn't attack the British imperialists head on, it depicted a wonderful story through the use of Cricket. It is long but worth every minute! I highly reccomend you guys to check it out and as other posters have written, check out other Indian movies as well. Taal is good (aishwarya rai is very hot!), Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Mission Kashmir (action), Devdas, etc. 2 thumbs up!
Rating:
Summary: Just Like Old Golden Hollywood!
Review: This is a story and film that could kick the [rears] of today's Hollywood filmmakers. An epic along the likes of Gone With The Wind meets Lawrence of Arabia, Lagaan is long, yes, but you remain rooting for the heroes, and hating the bad guys, all the way to the end. For an instance of where length does *not* work, just check out the American western epic "Heaven's Gate" by Cimino. It has it's moments, but ultimately you find yourself thinking, "why did I sit here for 4 hours with this?" Lagaan has strong characters and maintains it's plot momentum quite well. The lead character is almost too perfect; a rebel, yet able to get people of different minds together for one cause, a temperamental, yet kind, person, able to stir passionate feelings from women, yet bound to honor one.
Plot? Evil old British Empire seeks to destroy a rural village by extracting 2 times lagaan (tax payment, with rice (? or some other agricultural product, can't recall), even though it is a time of drought and they will starve themselves if they have to pay that much tax. Our hero challenges said Evil Brits to a game of cricket, much to the village's horror, since they really know little about how to play. Evil Brits say they will have to pay triple lagaan if villagers lose, otherwise, the tax will be cancelled and villagers will pay none for two years.
Sounds simple, but the fact that they managed to wind all sorts of great plots around this simple story proves how well written and thought out this movie was.
Now - the musical numbers!
They, like the old Astaire-Rogers bits, or any other good old musical, carry the story along, come at the right time (about every half hour or so) and are lively, vibrant and fit in perfectly with the story.
Hurrah! I haven't been this entertained in a long time, and with having to read 4 hours of subtitles, no less!
A gem, one to watch over and over and enjoy. I can't see too many cultural boundaries with this. It's just plain great storytelling with a beautiful visual style to boot.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best
Review: This is one of the best movie of the year. Even though I completely dont understand Hindi,like everyone else said the story is very easy to follow. The music is very well done and the time really passes by quickly. Highly recommended even if you never watched an Indian movie before.
Rating:
Summary: Hooray for Baliwood!
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this three plus hour movie. I wish there had been more music, as it was lush and beautiful. The colors were amazing and I learned more about cricket than I ever imagined I would! A must see for foreign film fans.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best movies I've seen
Review: I've loved the hero,its defiance,his natural manly charm,his perseverance. We'we had enough,haven't we, of self-pitying geeks,of movies like "American Beauty" who convey the same depressing message! Here we have people who has courage, who fights against oppression, who take risks and who wins.THAT's the American spirit,and the western spirit. Besides,this is some of the best movies ever made, whit a beautiful charachterization (the gentle english Lady who cares for the destiny of the oppressed and falls in love whit the hero,the absolutely despicable English captain, unbearably arrogant,unjustfiably cruel,brutal and stupid, who well deserves his final destiny, the ambiguous maraja,and the inhabitants of the village,any one of them whit his own personality)and a story magnificently told.Even the musical/dance part is very good, though perhaps a bit too long. But what distinguishes this movie is the exquisitely harrowing suspense of the final scenes.Forget Scream and Psycho,this movie,whitout any violence, gives the word "suspence" its real meaning. You have to see it!
Rating:
Summary: My introduction to the vast world of Indian films.
Review: Lagaan was the first movie I've ever seen from Bollywood (the second largest film industry in the world). This started me to look into other Indian films that are not necessarily easily available. I have to go to Indian stores to rent Indian movies. And for the past 4 months, that's all I've ever rented. What makes Lagaan so wonderful is that this film (and most other Indian films) are actually deeply compelling stories that really go deep into your heart. Bollywood doesn't seem to be too concerned about alot of special effects. Bollywood puts out intense dramas about love, social challenges, and even the celebration of life. American films like to entertain us with cold, shallow, people doing heartless harm to others. Plus, alot of unrealistic action scenes that actually started to bore me because I've seen it all before. I'm not impressed anymore with special effects. Anyway, Indian films are alot like the older American films. Most Indian films are nearly three hours long. They have cool songs, beautiful women, and exciting indian fashion. There is so much detail to the story. I don't need to explain what Lagaan is about. You can see by all these other reviews just how wonderful this Indian film is. I've loaned my DVD out to several friends and they all agree that if all Indian films are like this one, then they need to see more Indian films. By the way, there is another Indian film released for the American audience called "Monsoon Wedding", which is NOT a good Indian movie to start with. It's OK, but it's not Bollywood. See "Lagaan" first, then maybe "Asoka", or "Mission Kashmir". These films are available through Amazon.com.
To those of you who love "Lagaan", go to your local Indian store, and set up a DVD rental account, and start watching more Indian films. I'm hooked! Indian actresses like Rani Mukherjee, Kajol, Aishwarya Rai, Preity Zinta, Madhuri Dixit, Sonali Bendre, Urmila Matondkar, Amisha Patel, and Kareena Kapoor are just so beautiful. The innocence of their Hindi charms will enchant you.
Here are some movies that I reccommend that you start with, that you'll have to get from an Indian rental store: "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai", "Badal", "Mohabbatein", "Ishq", "Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam", "Pyaar to Hona Hai Tha", and then maybe "Chori Chori Chupke Chupke" And make sure that you get the version with English Subtitles. Some Indian films were released without subtitles in their first couple of months of their release.
I hope some of you "Lagaan" fans will check out other Indian films. Bollywood truly is another world of movie entertainment. Indian women are so beautiful. I'm beginning to wonder if Hollywood in America forgot what a goddess should look like. All the Indian actresses that you see in Bollywood films (even the ones that represent older aunties and mothers) are more fair-skinned than the average beautiful Indian girl or woman. Although, all women are beautiful, in their own way, every country has their rather "less-than-attractive" females walking about, but Bollywood actresses sometimes don't look stereo-typically Indian at all. They could be British mixed, since England seems to be their sister (secondary) country. But, you know, here's something else that I've discovered now that Bollywood movies have made me focus more on what makes a woman "beautiful." I've started to measure the beauty of women in my daily life around me here in California. I have discovered that the girls of California that I see at the mall, or the post office, or on college campuses, are FAR more beautiful than today's "so-called" top Hollywood movie stars. If you watch "Extra" or "Access Hollywood", or any shows that talk about todays movie stars, just look at the women of today's Hollywood. There is nothing really special about them. Indian actresses (of Bollywood films), are all FAR more beautiful than any of these "Plain Jane" blondes and brunettes in today's American films. If you check this out for yourself, you'll see that I'm right, not just partial. Go to Indiafm.com and click on some of the wallpapers of indian stars. Girls should check out Hrithik Roshan, Shahrukh Khan, and the others. Guys should check out Sonali Bendre, Rani Mukherjee, Urmila Matondkar, Amisha Patel, and then others. No nudes, just beautiful people. Believe me, you'll get hooked!
I encourage you to start checking out Indian films. Even Playboy and Penthouse have endorsed the subject of the beauty of Indian actresses over the years. Of course, they'd never show themself nude in any publication or film. Their culture will simply not allow it. However, it has been said that Indian films are getting sexier (showing more skin and subliminal sexual intentions) than they use to.
Anyway, Lagaan is a great film. Bollywood is slowly coming to America, check it out at any opportunity that you can. Ask about Indian films at your rental store. Tell them that you seen "Lagaan", and you'd like to see another Indian film. Believe me, in time, you'll be hooked on them. Even the ones that are a little cheesy have their appeal.
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