Heck of a ride!

Rating: 8/10 (15 March 2011)

I'm not from India so I won't comment on the country's educational system. I do believe that I'm allowed to comment on my experience with the movie.
Before watching this film, I lumped it in with movies I call "message movies": movies that make it a point to shove whatever message it brings down our throats. I decided to give it a chance and I was surprised at how much I liked this film. It certainly helps that it's also a comedy. I have some small issues with the film and I did feel it could do a lot better, but it didn't prevent me from laughing and crying throughout the movie. What I liked the most about this movie is that it's not like those other "message movies". There are times when it does get a bit melodramatic and times when the humor comes off as forced. But when the movie is funny, it's really funny and it's easy to root for the titular 3 idiots. It doesn't play like an infomercial on the education system; it plays off like an experience, as a good movie should.
I like to think the movie is a lot like its main character: fun, good-natured and, as Rancho would say, never leaves its students behind. All in all, it is a tad bit overrated, but it's a charming movie with a relevant message. People who don't like how the message was presented should just realize that it was presented so that the masses can relate and, in turn, get something from it.
All is well. All is well. 8/10