Gaganachari

Gaganachari scores high in how it treats its familiar (yet experimental, for Malayalam) plot, garnished with a heavy dose of pop culture references, making it palatable for both 90s and 2000s kids. The sci-fi mockumentary packaging, which I only remember from a recent Krishand film, looks and feels fresh. The humor flows organically, even when a few writing misses occur in the second hour. The cast is terrific-each fitting their respective roles to the T. Gokul Suresh is surprisingly good as the lovestruck loser Allan, and so is Anarkali Marikkar as Alieyamma. Ganesh Kumar and Aju Varghese bring in the laughs with their one-liners, making even generic events like dinner, sleep, and meditation look entertaining.

There is overuse of AI but it's understandable given what the makers were trying to achieve here. Ultimately, what we see and hear on screen, looks incredibly believable for its given budget, and that's what should matter at the end of the day. The socio-political subtext is also played for laughs, and I particularly enjoyed the writing (and visual) choice of painting Kerala in a greenish excess, as opposed to the typical dystopian desert shades. Sankar Sharma's music also adds zing to the proceedings. I'm unsure if the sequel (or is it a spinoff?) holds the same level of potential given it'll be a star-led vehicle, but we'll just have to wait and see. Good work, Arun Chandu!

To be honest, I really liked it. It's got good graphics, not so good story (but still watchable) and the whole story-line just makes me keep watching. And one more thing - this is not for a typical Malayalam movie "REVIEWER". The whole concept of post apocalyptic tale and subtle puns against the current/near future political agendas are good.

One thing I got to mention is the VFX. Sure most of the images and animations are questionable (I know about the existence Midjourney and blender). But it was good by the choice.

I really hope there will be a second part. Will there be a second part to this?

A very good attempt at a proper sci-fi satire rooted in Kerala. The dystopian United States of Kerala with the overgrown vegetation over the buildings was set up pretty nicely. All the Malayalam pop culture references were so fun to watch, and the updates given to some were definitely the most laugh-out-loud moments. Gokul Suresh's dialogues referencing his father were also really great. But it meant that this was primarily for the 90s kids. If the comedic aspect of Gokul Suresh's character was reduced, I would've painfully felt like relating to that character, but I don't want to that much, lol. The use of traditional murals to playfully convey some ideas and the ending twist etc made its satiric approach work really great. The insistence on rituals and their powers at that point, the lies, the murals etc can be read together as why our society is like this today. The visual effects were great for what it is, but the extensive use of AI images is a turn-off for me. Even in music, there was a very derivative quality to it that I wasn't sure if it was supposed to be references or not.

Initially, I approached "Gaganachari" with skepticism, but the film pleasantly proved me wrong. This alien Sci-Fi thriller emerged as one of the best in Malayalam cinema, captivating me with its engaging narrative and impressive execution.

With a unique blend of intrigue, suspense, and emotional depth, "Gaganachari" successfully explores the complexities of human relationships amidst an extraterrestrial backdrop. The film's well-crafted storyline, paired with impressive visuals and convincing performances, makes for an immersive viewing experience.

Overall, "Gaganachari" is a hidden gem in Malayalam Sci-Fi, defying expectations and delivering a thrilling ride. If you're a fan of the genre, this film is definitely worth watching.

It had a solid run in theatres and made some good noise in film circuits. Strangely, it slipped onto OTT without much noise. Yet, it was inevitable that I'd miss it once it was available on OTT.

This is a science fiction story set in the 2040s, focused on three bachelors living in a building while the rest of the world is in shambles. A female alien comes to stay with them, making their lives even more complicated.

It's unlike any science fiction you may have seen so far. The movie doesn't take itself seriously, yet it portrays a world transformed by humanity's exploitation of nature, grounding its absurdity with a sense of real-world consequences. It takes a while to understand what's happening on screen, as the plot unfolds through gags within a dystopian setup.

Ganesh Kumar is seen in a never-before avatar, and he absolutely nails it. Gokul Suresh is decent in parts, though he overacts in multiple sequences. Aju Varghese handles his role well, while Anarkali Marikar as Alien maintains a poker face throughout as the character demands, which she does effectively. John Kaippali, in a limited role, adds beautifully to the chaos.

This is an experimental movie, and it should be viewed with that lens. The cinematography cleverly captures the tone, and with just the right amount of graphics, the movie is made surprisingly believable. The usage of real life anecdotes or materialistic things in futuristic setup was interesting. However, the runtime feels a bit lengthy, and trimming it could have helped create a crisper narrative. The comedy works in the film's favor, and the song during the end credits-a rap-adds an interesting touch.

Once again, Malayalam cinema tries something new and does it well. With a low budget, they've managed to churn out a decent film. Watch it for a different experience, with logic set slightly aside.

#pranureviews #Gaganachari #GaganachariReview.