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Movie Review: Kathakali
By: Tupaki Desk | 18 March 2016 11:18 AM GMT
Movie Review: Kathakali
Rating: 2.5/5
Cast: Vishal, Catherine Thresa, Madhu, Sathru, Srijith Ravi, Jayaprakash, Mime Gopi and Others.
Music: Hip Hop Tamizha
Cinematography: Balasubrahmanyam
Dialogues: Sashank Vennelakanti
Production: Vishal Film Factory & Sri Krishna Creations
Story, Screenplay & Direction: Pandiraj
Release Date: 18th March 2016
Apart from doing action-based commercial subjects to safeguard his market, Vishal does experiment experiment once in a while with unconventional subjects to satisfy the actor in him. Films like Indrudu, Palnadu and Jayasurya have earned him a new image. Now, 'Kathakali' joins the league. This action-thriller directed by Padiraj finally hits the screens after getting postponed thrice.
Synopsis:
Kamal (Vishal) who is living in US for four years returns to India to tie the nuptial knot with his girlfriend Malliswari (Catherine Thresa). Just few days before the wedding, A gangster named Samba (Madhu) gets killed. Due to the rivalry between both these families, Cops suspect that Kamal could be killer and even the coterie of Samba target him. Ever since then, Kamal & his Family try their best to protect themselves from anti-social elements. Did Kamal really kill Samba? If not him, Then who did it? Know more in theaters near you…!
Performances:
Vishal's performance in a major asset to 'Kathakali' in which he does a role with different shades. Usually, One expects heroism elevating sequences in Vishal's Films. In 'Kathakali, He mostly underplays and appears just as a normal youth. He, however, shows heroism when it mattered the most.
Catherine Thresa's role doesn't have much prominence. But, She leaves her mark with glamour and acting prowess.
Madhu is too good as a Villain. Sathru does well. Even the actor who played Sub Inspector did a fine job.
Pros:
Vishal
Music
Screenplay
Cons:
Romantic Track
First Half
Technicalities:
Technicians were the backbone for 'Kathakali'. Particularly, Hip Hop Tamizha's Background Score is superb. Cinematography by Balasubrahmanyam is top notch. Dialogues penned by Sashank Vennelakanti were okay. Telugu Dubbing is perfect. Production Values were appreciable. Even though he directed a thriller flick for the first time, Pandiraj showed his grip on the genre with a taut screenplay and left a mark of his own in the Second Half. However, He could have handled the First Half much better.
Analysis:
Usually, Established Heroes opt for thrillers packaged with humor & romance in First Half, and Thrills in Second Half. This formula has worked well for Vishal so far. Even his last film 'Jayasurya' & new release 'Kathakali' were made in the same format.
The Mystery element in 'Kathakali' offers enough thrills. But, Its the romantic track and comedy blocks which irritate. Too much time was taken to begin the actual story and the first half was dragged so much. The love track of lead pair starts with a wrong call and gets stretched unnecessarily. Even the comedy failed to tickle the funny bone.
Actual story of 'Kathakali' begins after completion of half of the runtime. From the moment the murder mystery gains focus, momentum never drops and the tempo was carried right till the end. Vishal's under-playing elevated the suspense element. May be, Mass Audience could be disappointed a bit but this actually helped the product shape up well. Of course, The selfie fight in the Second Half will appease his fan base.
Director should have focussed more on establishing the rivalry between Hero & Villain. Vishal's characterization in First Half looks silly and Revenge Angle wasn't established properly. Revealing one twist after the other in Climax block confused audience to some extent. But, the main twist offers a thrilling experience.
Bottom Line: A Decent Thriller!
Rating: 2.5/5
Cast: Vishal, Catherine Thresa, Madhu, Sathru, Srijith Ravi, Jayaprakash, Mime Gopi and Others.
Music: Hip Hop Tamizha
Cinematography: Balasubrahmanyam
Dialogues: Sashank Vennelakanti
Production: Vishal Film Factory & Sri Krishna Creations
Story, Screenplay & Direction: Pandiraj
Release Date: 18th March 2016
Apart from doing action-based commercial subjects to safeguard his market, Vishal does experiment experiment once in a while with unconventional subjects to satisfy the actor in him. Films like Indrudu, Palnadu and Jayasurya have earned him a new image. Now, 'Kathakali' joins the league. This action-thriller directed by Padiraj finally hits the screens after getting postponed thrice.
Synopsis:
Kamal (Vishal) who is living in US for four years returns to India to tie the nuptial knot with his girlfriend Malliswari (Catherine Thresa). Just few days before the wedding, A gangster named Samba (Madhu) gets killed. Due to the rivalry between both these families, Cops suspect that Kamal could be killer and even the coterie of Samba target him. Ever since then, Kamal & his Family try their best to protect themselves from anti-social elements. Did Kamal really kill Samba? If not him, Then who did it? Know more in theaters near you…!
Performances:
Vishal's performance in a major asset to 'Kathakali' in which he does a role with different shades. Usually, One expects heroism elevating sequences in Vishal's Films. In 'Kathakali, He mostly underplays and appears just as a normal youth. He, however, shows heroism when it mattered the most.
Catherine Thresa's role doesn't have much prominence. But, She leaves her mark with glamour and acting prowess.
Madhu is too good as a Villain. Sathru does well. Even the actor who played Sub Inspector did a fine job.
Pros:
Vishal
Music
Screenplay
Cons:
Romantic Track
First Half
Technicalities:
Technicians were the backbone for 'Kathakali'. Particularly, Hip Hop Tamizha's Background Score is superb. Cinematography by Balasubrahmanyam is top notch. Dialogues penned by Sashank Vennelakanti were okay. Telugu Dubbing is perfect. Production Values were appreciable. Even though he directed a thriller flick for the first time, Pandiraj showed his grip on the genre with a taut screenplay and left a mark of his own in the Second Half. However, He could have handled the First Half much better.
Analysis:
Usually, Established Heroes opt for thrillers packaged with humor & romance in First Half, and Thrills in Second Half. This formula has worked well for Vishal so far. Even his last film 'Jayasurya' & new release 'Kathakali' were made in the same format.
The Mystery element in 'Kathakali' offers enough thrills. But, Its the romantic track and comedy blocks which irritate. Too much time was taken to begin the actual story and the first half was dragged so much. The love track of lead pair starts with a wrong call and gets stretched unnecessarily. Even the comedy failed to tickle the funny bone.
Actual story of 'Kathakali' begins after completion of half of the runtime. From the moment the murder mystery gains focus, momentum never drops and the tempo was carried right till the end. Vishal's under-playing elevated the suspense element. May be, Mass Audience could be disappointed a bit but this actually helped the product shape up well. Of course, The selfie fight in the Second Half will appease his fan base.
Director should have focussed more on establishing the rivalry between Hero & Villain. Vishal's characterization in First Half looks silly and Revenge Angle wasn't established properly. Revealing one twist after the other in Climax block confused audience to some extent. But, the main twist offers a thrilling experience.
Bottom Line: A Decent Thriller!
