L2: Empuraan

As we all know malyalam movies are renowned for the gripping story line which is majorly lacking in this, director did a pretty good job by combining two major story lines to build up for one more part but diluting a master piece has its own consequences.

As far as visuals speaks for themselves but those are most common nowadays in movie perspective, as being the most hyped malyalam movie of this year does it really upto the mark is questionable .

Final verdict is one time watchable for movie lovers as the movie has quite an action sequences and depth of selection in locations making it no less than a hollywood level movie .

I was extremely impressed by Prithviraj's direction and the overall making of the film. The visuals, cinematography, and background score were top-notch and clearly demonstrated the effort and vision behind the project. The scale of the film and its technical aspects were commendable, setting high expectations for the story that followed.

Unfortunately, the content of the film didn't quite live up to those expectations. It felt cluttered with unnecessary elements, many of which didn't add any real value to the narrative. One of the biggest disappointments was Mohanlal's portrayal of the character Abraham. His performance lacked the depth and expression we've come to expect from him, especially when compared to his iconic role as Stephen. The character of Abraham came across as flat and unimpactful, leaving fans longing for the familiar charisma and emotional depth that Stephen brought to the screen.

Additionally, the movie was bogged down by an excessive number of characters who seemed irrelevant to the plot. Their presence detracted from the main story and weakened the overall impact of the film. It felt like the movie was trying to juggle too many storylines, which ultimately left it feeling disjointed and unfocused.

In conclusion, while the craftsmanship and ambition behind the film are commendable, the content and storytelling failed to meet the mark. What could have been a gripping, memorable experience ended up feeling bloated and underwhelming.

Empuraan had the potential to be a masterpiece, but it falls short due to misplaced priorities. Instead of focusing on storytelling, Prithviraj seemed more invested in making every frame grand.

At its core, there is a compelling story, but it gets buried under indulgent filmmaking. Manju Warrier carries the film, yet character arcs feel rushed because Prithviraj prioritized exotic locations over depth. The same over-the-top storytelling prevails despite the attempt to be "different."

A major issue is the inclusion of white actors who can't act. Many Indian films do this, and *Empuraan* follows suit, making these performances feel artificial and distracting.

Then there's Mohanlal-practically every shot of him is slow motion. The overuse of this, paired with an excessive background score, becomes exhausting. The helicopter shootout scene? Completely unnecessary. Had Prithviraj focused on political intrigue rather than gimmicks, this film could have been brilliant.

The film shines when it delves into Indian politics, creating genuinely engaging moments. The villain had a strong introduction-well-written and menacing. However, instead of developing him further, he gets sidelined once the audience has enough reason to dislike him. A missed opportunity that weakens the film.

For such a massive budget, the editing is surprisingly poor. Unnecessary jump cuts and excessive zoom-ins hurt immersion. These choices cheapen what could have been a polished cinematic experience.

The cinematography, however, is excellent. Not to be confused with the VFX, which remain subpar. But the lighting, framing, and composition stand out. If the storytelling had matched the cinematography's quality, Empuraan" would have been far stronger.

Prithviraj's character suffers from forced emotional beats. One key scene feels like a plot device rather than genuine development, only for the film to cut abruptly to an unrelated sequence.

Mohanlal, despite being an icon, feels more mythical than human. His constant deep, philosophical dialogues add little to his character. This detachment weakens his role as the film's emotional anchor.

Ultimately, Empuraan excels when focused on India, its politics, and its power dynamics. Those moments shine. However, its obsession with spectacle over substance holds it back from greatness.

Visually impressive but narratively inconsistent, Empuraan prioritizes style over depth. It could have been much more.

Rating - 3.5/5

A socio-political mass action thriller executed with brilliant technicality giving an edge of the seat experience.

The story introduces us to the world of the Alpha lord Khureshi Abr'am who controls the Gold Diamond nexus globally through his dual identity. The story further explores whether this fallen angel will survive his war against the Jihadi groups, International Crime Nexus & Drug cartels from swallowing God's own Country and on how he exert influence on the political landscape of Kerala.

Murali Gopi has scripted the story well enough to accommodate and intertwine the story in the international terrains while being rooted to God's own Country. Prithviraj has excelled in bringing out Mohanlal in the most epic and stylish avatar like never before with slow motion and good BGM's. This can be termed as the best tribute a fanboy director can give to his idol on the reels. Prithviraj has brilliantly portrayed some sequences on screen in a way better than when it is was put into words. The first half stands superior storywise where as the latter half of the movie lost traction and felt like a usual revenge drama towards the end. Topnotch making but the final music felt like a medium to appeal and attract Bollywood audience.

Mohanlal made a subtle performance just by his looks and stance. Abhimanyu Singh,Sukant Goel,Manju Warrier,Nandu,Karthikeya Dev,Eriq Ebouaney,Andrea Tivadar,Jerome Flynn and Kishore made impressive performances.

Exceptional Cinematography by Sujith Vasudev especially the night visuals and wide angle shots in the foreign landscape. Deepak Dev's BGM's in the intro portions were stunning. Hats off to the Production designer Mohandas in precisely putting the director's vision onto the screen.

A larger than life visual marvel in Malayalam pulled off in a grandeur scale with epic performances and top-notch production quality makes it a must watch on big screens.

I watched the movie yesterday and noticed that the director (or someone involved) seemed to have a hidden agenda influencing the narrative. The first half had no real connection to the previous part , making it feel somewhat disconnected. However, I believe the filmmaker achieved their target without any cost.

The movie touches on various political issues in Kerala, highlighting the weaknesses of its leaders and referencing sensitive incidents. Given the nature of these topics, it should have undergone stricter censorship before release. While having a business-driven mindset is understandable, it should not come at the cost of manipulating history.

That said, the movie excels in its technical aspects-especially the action sequences and choreography, which were executed brilliantly. Overall, it's a commendable attempt, but it falls short of being a complete success.

Thanks!