Mortal_Cinephile

**Storyline and Inspiration** The story feels like a blend of all Shankar's previous movies, mixed with the addition of great actors like Ram Charan and SJ Suryah.

**Cinematic Liberty** The movie takes cinematic liberty to an extreme, with events happening so fast and without proper explanation, as if they were written down and executed without context.

**Climax and Execution** The elections and the climax, especially the exit polls, were laughable. It felt ridiculous-where was the security, what was the government doing, and what were SJ Suryah and Ram Charan even doing? It was poorly executed.

**Screenplay and Pacing** The screenplay was faster-paced than typical Shankar movies, which kept it from being boring.

**Direction** Shankar's direction seemed split, like a 50-50 blend of his vintage brilliance and his current outdated style.

**Cinematography** The cinematography stood out, utilizing modern camera techniques and mocobot shots every time Ram Charan walked or wore his spectacles.

**Music and Background Score** Thaman's music was good, but the background score was repetitive-a hit-and-miss. It didn't compare to Baby John's scores, which were soul-stirring and adrenaline-pumping.

**Acting** Acting-wise, the cast delivered well, with SJ Suryah shining throughout. Ram Charan as Appanna deserved more screen time, as the flashback scenes added no depth to the story and felt too rushed.

**First Half vs. Second Half** While the interval and pre-interval sequences were exceptional, they raised expectations for the second half, which turned out to have several dull moments.

Don't ever believe reviews claiming "core brutality," "bloodbath," and similar terms, as they are often exaggerated.

1. Story: Action scenes require a strong emotional foundation, but here, the reason for the action feels weak and underwhelming due to insufficient emphasis on it.

2. Music: Basrur's score feels like pre-existing work that is repurposed and sold to the Marco team.

The background score doesn't match the scenes; it feels like the cinema was made for the OST rather than the OST being crafted for the cinema.

3. Screenplay: The screenplay is not particularly strong but manages to hold your attention reasonably well.

4. Direction: The direction feels amateurish, with noticeable loopholes. While it has moments of potential to evoke goosebumps, it ultimately falls short.

5. Action Choreography: The action, advertised as gory and violent, becomes excessive at times. Just because action is the selling point doesn't mean overusing CG blood is effective. Some action scenes feel poorly edited and choppy. None of the action sequences involving Unni Mukundan stand out, but the ones featuring the butcher are well-executed.

6. Acting and Dialogues: The portrayal of a violent character is weak. Smoking countless cigars doesn't make a character intimidating, and the weak dialogues further diminish the impact. Jagadeesh, playing a bisexual villain, feels miscast. A natural actor like him seems forced into an ill-suited role with an unconvincing costume and negative persona.

7. Editing, VFX, and Cinematography: While Malayalam films are known for their innovative editing techniques, this film disappoints with loose editing and subpar camera work. The excessive use of CG blood is glaringly obvious and looks poorly executed.

Positives: 1. First, I want to thank S. Thaman for delivering an incredible score that elevates the cinematic 1. First, I want to thank S. Thaman for delivering an incredible score that elevates the cinematic experience. His music immerses you completely, creating a trance-like effect with its energy and rush.

. His music immerses you completely, creating a trance-like effect with its energy and rush.

2. Having not watched Theri, I found this movie enjoyable on its own merits.

3. The cinematography is stunning, much like Jawan. The frames and tones are well-crafted, presenting Varun Dhawan with vibrant visuals and an engaging color palette.

4. The performances are solid each actor delivered what the story demanded, neither overacting nor underperforming.

5. The direction is impressive, especially for a debut. It showcases strong scene transitions, a cohesive narrative flow, and excellent portrayal of Varun Dhawan and Jackie Shroff.

6. The screenplay is well-paced despite the 170-minute runtime. It maintains entertainment throughout with a perfect blend of comedic gags, songs, mass moments, action choreography, and romance.

Negatives: 1. While I haven't seen Theri, the story feels average it's decent but lacks novelty.

2. The emotional scenes lack impact. They're rushed due to editing, making it hard to connect with the moments.

3. The film's "mass" appeal could have been amplified with more impactful dialogues that elicit whistles and cheers.

4. The relationship between Varun Dhawan and Keerthy Suresh feels underdeveloped, failing to create the emotional depth needed for stronger engagement.

Summary: Overall, this is a film that delivers pure entertainment. It offers an adrenaline rush, keeping you engaged and making for a worthwhile experience in the theater.