Magic Carpet Ride (2005)

Entertaining from beginning to end, it maintains the spirit of the franchise while establishing it's own seal with a fun cast

it is finally so absorbing because it plays like a lyrical road odyssey that’s also a detective story.

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

i have been hearing all the time that the movie was not so good, but had some marvelous scenes of Istanbul. so i hesitated to choose it as a Sunday night movie to watch with my wife.it turned out to be a perfect choice with more than i expected. knowing Yilmaz Erdogan's earlier movies which don't have a real scenario but some funny dialogs, i wasn't expecting more than that. however i came up with a fulfilled cinema movie with well organized scenario, very smart dialogs, and of course, really the best actors and actresses of the genre. And also scenes from Istanbul were really amazing which increased the taste. it was really a nice choice to watch with lots of fun and never boring.

Bravo to Erdogan, excellent movie. Directing is excellent with emphasis on cinema. There are some holes in the plot, but the witty comedy makes up for them. Casting is quite good but has important minuses.At the beginning, right before Erdogan (Asim) starts banging on Cevik's (Samet) door to let him in, notice the minaret and the church bell tower. The camera angle is peculiar: The excitement of the pursuit is captured but also the monuments of two religions in mutual symbiosis. Also beneath the monuments, two people find salvation in the next scene. Coincidence? Serendipidious symbolism? Hard to tell, nevertheless, the capturing camera use is prevalent throughout the film: Yilmaz in front of the "plasma," gang going to Yilmaz's hideout, last overview of Istanbul, beginning from Cukurcuma and ending in Sarayburnu. The director (Erdogan) uses the setting as a powerful theme for the movie.One important achievement of Erdogan is the brave disappearance of moral speeches, a traditional element of Turkish cinema. It had been almost of sin to create a movie without at least one character staring into the space and delivering a moral monologue flavored with left wing ideals, and even Erdogan himself had been using this in his previous works, "Vizontele" series. Gone is that direct embarrassing speech, whatever message is delivered, it is delivered through camera and directing. Notice how the audience observes the rich and poor environments coming right after each other with each scene, sometimes even in the same scene. So much more mature than direct expression.Plot has its problems. How come Nazli (Berfin Erdogan) returns to Asim (Yilmaz Erdogan)? How did they meet in the first place, or how did she meet with the despicable dentist? These questions are neglected. How come Samet accepts Umut's apology? "Sorry I have used your honesty in the most heartless manner and delivered you and your companions to the criminal lord, but I do truly love you?" Huh? Samet's gullibility seems to know no limits!However, comedy is a difficult genre, and the jokes - I must admit I had my laugh of the year. Better than "Hirsiz Var," better than the "Vizontele" series and comparable to internationally-acclaimed comedy movies. (I keep comparing it to "Analyze This" and "Whole Nine Yards") "Philology?" "1 hour golf?" "Safe within safe?" "I don't feel cold, I am high?" "Bye-bye hepiniz?" We are left with little time to catch our breath. Jokes keep following each other, just when you think you heard the punchline, the next line take it to a new level. Plus, we have another set of jokes going on in the background. I'll watch again just for these.Casting and Acting: Cevik for Samet? Excellent. Erdogan for Asim? Couldn't be better. Yilmaz for Muslum? What an unexpected surprise! Gone is the loony comedian, enter the mafia boss, putting hundred-million-dollar mafia movie actors to shame. I had underestimated Yilmaz until now. How much of this is correct casting, and how much is superior acting? I believe it is strong combination of both. Another surprise is Silvio: Who is he? Did I watch the actor or the character? I want to know! The final surprise for me is the rising star Namal. Comparing to her previous performance in "Anlat Istanbul," which was much shorter, she acted out a totally different role with natural ease. I will not be surprised if we see her in some lead roles in the near future.Always a pleasure to watch, Akbag fits into her role almost like hand in glove. With Erkekli, they create the ever-squabbling couple. We have the pleasure of seeing a large spectrum of mimics from Akbag. However, I can't help but ask myself "Why Physics? Why not philology or some other verbal study that she knows so much better?" The class scene in the beginning is terrible: It is difficult to imagine that scene being written by the same person who wrote the rest. Sun is the largest mass in the *galaxy*?!?! What a factual mistake by a professor of Physics! And ball on stretched sheet is the way to explain gravity to college students? That is kindergarten-level physics. What a failure for such a movie.And just where does the casting fall short? Berfin Erdogan. Although a small role, it is crucial. She is not too bad, but not the caliber of Yilmaz and Akbag. She is insufficient for the role.

First of all, Yilmaz Erdogan's last film, "Organize Isler" is worth to watch I must say. It is built-on a cliché scenario but actors/actresses well played and especially Cem Yilmaz's performance was great.I must mention that scenes of Istanbul were great. Film takes places in the narrow streets of Istanbul and reflects its colorful harmony perfectly. If you are admirer of this city like me, I'm sure you'll fall in love with the flying camera technique.Soundtracks are OK, could be more unique. Outro was performed by Nil Karaibrahimgil and according to my tastes, it is OK too.Last word: Do not forget to watch this beautiful city-crime-comedy film.

a flying cam is not enough to make a movie. The movie is funny. The story isn't that much great but characters are. On each book, movie and play Erdogan reflects his megalomania. There are some technical problems on images(when flying-cam moves very fast the image blurred)The sound was good.Soundtracks are cool. Colors are so good. Erdogan will make better movies I believe. But he should remember that there is no obligation to use flying cam on each scene. He can write the story and direct the movie, but let the other people play. I found some critics about the movie poster,people say it has same style with the "fight club" poster.Next Erdogan movie will be much better.