Kabul Express

Starring: John Abraham, Arshad Warsi, Salman Shahid
Story: Kabir Khan
Story: 6.5/10 Music: Soundtrack only, hip techno tracks mixed with vocals

Two reporters go to Afghanistan after 9/11 to get an interview with the Taliban. They get hijacked by a member of the Taliban who forces them to drive towards the Pakistani border. Things aren't as simple as they seem, and enemies might become friends.

John Abraham is a bit of eye candy, and he's a good enough actor. The American actress is a nobody, and it's obvious that she wasn't hired for her acting skills. The guy who plays the Taliban soldier is the best actor in this movie. There were no musical scenes or picturizations in this film, but that's actually better because of the subject and content.

The best thing about this film is it's subject matter--life in Afghanistan after America busted in and screwed up like soldiers playing hero. I absolutely love to see criticism of America from people who live in the region. Basically: The Taliban was supported by Pakistan until America paid Pakistan more money than the Taliban could. Some Pakistani soldiers even fought in the Taliban until Pakistan sold itself out to America. America's foreign policy is based on one thing: MONEY, Paise. American policy makers use their greenbacks to buy bombs, fickle alliances, and oil. Oil is sucked out, coke is poured in. Pas.

I'm American, and I love this movie. I also liked Turtles Can Fly, a 2004 film written and directed by the Kurdish filmmaker from Iran Bahman Ghobadi and the 2001 film Kandahar. These are special because they are films by local directors who want to show the world the state of modern life in the Middle East. If you like these films, I also recommend one of my favorite American movies, Three Kings with George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, Ice Cube, and Spike Jones.

If you are looking for John Abraham to show his stuff, this is definitely not for you. If you are interested in the state of the Post-Cold War Middle East, then Kabul Express is for you. Recommended.