Devara: Part 1

At last, the widely discussed Rajamouli curse myth has been shattered. While not the greatest feat, it's still a major victory considering the curse's track record and the film's stars' previous box office mishaps. Believe me, a 6-star rating is not to be underestimated, and "Devara" is certain to entertain and impress in parts and certain aspects!

Devara is one of the much-hyped films of this year. From the commanding "Man of Masses" title card to the chilling stone inscription written in blood during the interval, the movie is a non-stop barrage of a killer background score. Anirudh's innovative use of the "All hail the tiger" motif in various moods is mesmerizing.

I expected a decent commercial outing with the formulaic narrative to interval bang and pre-climax setup with a few high moments. The first half delivers on this expectation, offering a satisfying blend of cheesy crowd-pleasing moments and commercial masala tropes. It's like the slice you always reach for first.

Unfortunately, the second half of the film doesn't live up to the promise of the first. It feels like a rerun of some old masala films, and the jokes are a bit of a miss. The comedy serves as overkill, and the female characters humor is like trying to laugh at a Nirmala Seetharaman's problem. The actress, well, let's just say she's of no use. You could take her out, and nobody would even notice.

On the positive side, Anirudh Ravichandar's background score elevates many generic scenes. The cinematography in the first half is also a boon to the film. The climax twist adds an unexpected element to the otherwise generic narrative. And don't forget the long but decently staged action sequences, reminiscent of the ocean itself.

And NTR? He is an absolute sea monster of acting talent. He shoulders the film throughout and manages to save it from completely sinking.

To wrap it up, Devara is totally worth checking out if you're in the mood for a fun, mindless action-packed flick. It's got a killer soundtrack, amazing visuals, and JR NTR absolutely killing it.

Devara was an indeed visually appealing experience, but could've been better with an improved screenplay and story. The first half moves smoothly without much of a lag. Where it does lag, is after the interval.

Janhvi's role was boring and annoying. Jr. NTR was interesting to watch in both the roles as dad and son. The climax twist, although somewhat good, left me kinda disappointed as I've seen this kind of twist before. It seemed like they saved everything for the sequel.

Anirudh BGM and some good VFX bring in the fun. Better writing, tighter screenplay, and more realism could've done justice.

Bottom-line: Anirudh BGM is the saving grace. Visuals and Jr. NTR's lift the film to an extent too. But overall, falls flat as an usual father son legacy action flick.

Devara is a pirate living in a fictional(?) village called Ratnagiri along the border of Andhra Pradesh and Tamilnadu along with other pirates Bhaira, played by Saif Ali Khan, and others. During one of their pirate escapades things go south between Devara and Bhaira setting off a rivalry. Rest of the movie is about what happens to them and their rivalry and what role does Devara's son Vara plays in their relationship.

The movie is all out NTR's movie. He carried the movie on shoulders despite being an insipid and predictable storyline. Screenplay by Koratala Siva suffers terribly in establishing the conflict and elevating the emotion to the right level. Action choreography and some important sequences leading up to the action end up being duds thereby rendering the entire action dull and boring and without a purpose. The movie reads like a 3 hour long exposition as narrated by Singappa, played by Prakash Raj, with bits of action set pieces thrown in for good measure.

Cinematography by Ratnavelu is jarring sometimes even disrespecting basic shot rules in preserving the line of sight of the characters making it tedious to watch on the big screen. Anirudh's background music while decent, fails to deliver the emotional impact that the story demands. The presence of Jhanvi Kapoor is to deliver some "eye candy" and her only job is to seduce the young Vara and marry him. This is 2024 and I cannot believe big actors like NTR who got wide recognition for his role in RRR okay'd a script with cheap objectification of women.

Writer and Director Koratala Siva failed to tell a compelling story of a leader and has the audacity to tell us to wait for part-2. Will it get made now is anybody's guess. If not for NTR, this movies would've been an utter disaster in all possible ways.

--@CinephileIndia2023.

This movie is an action packed movie where you can watch actions from land as well as water. Most of the scenes are under water scenes and they are a treat to your eyes. NTR and Saif ruled the movie and their contrast is absolutely a worth watch. This movie is definitely a must watch movie. The second half engages you more than the first half. This movie surprises you in the second half. The glamor of Jhanvi Kapoor and her romance with NTR gives the movie a beautiful flow to the movie. Saif Ali Khan is in different look and his transition from young to old age is artistically portrayed. This is a complete family movie. The end reminds me of the movie "Bahubali" where it ends with a big question. Something similar is presented here. Waiting eagerly for the part 2. This is streaming on Netflix l,do watch it wherever you are free.

Koratala Siva returns to the director's chair with Devara Part 1, marking his second collaboration with NTR after the successful Janatha Garage. While Siva's direction is commendable, especially after the lackluster performance of his previous film, Acharya, he manages to deliver a solid narrative this time around.

NTR shines in a dual role as father and son, showcasing his versatility and emotional depth. His performances are a highlight, effectively capturing the nuances of both characters. Saif Ali Khan also stands out, adding gravitas to the film and elevating the overall impact.

Visually, the film excels in its VFX, particularly in the depiction of the sea, which is meticulously crafted. However, some sequences in the second half feel less polished, which detracts from the overall experience.

One of the film's weaker aspects is Jhanvi Kapoor's character. Her role feels underdeveloped and unnecessary; trimming her scenes wouldn't significantly affect the story, which makes her presence feel superfluous.

The first half of Devara is engaging and exciting, filled with strong storytelling and captivating twists. However, the momentum falters in the second half, which tends to drag and lose some of the initial thrill.

Musically, Anirudh's work is impressive, particularly with the well-crafted Ayudha Pooja song, which fits seamlessly into the film's rhythm and enhances its emotional beats.

Overall, Devara Part 1 offers a mixed experience. While it excels in direction, performances, and visual effects, it suffers from pacing issues and an underutilized character. I would rate this film a 6/10-enjoyable for NTR fans, but it leaves room for improvement in the sequel.