“Kanguva: A Grand Spectacle That Delivers on Drama and Thrills”
Sarkar Rating: 2.5/5 Releasing Date: November 14, 2024
Cast
Suriya, Bobby Deol, Disha Patani, Yogi Babu, Anandaraj, Kovai Sarala, Redin Kingsley, Natarajan Subramaniam & others.
Crew
Director – ‘Siruthai’ Siva
Producer – K. E. Gnanavel Raja, V. Vamsi Krishna Reddy & Pramod Uppalapati
Banner – Studio Green & UV Creations
Music – Devi Sri Prasad
Story
After 3 years since Suriya last graced the big screen in a leading role. With high expectations, he teamed up with director ‘Siruthai’ Siva to create Kanguva, an action-adventure fantasy set against a period backdrop. With Suriya’s recent struggle to deliver a major box office hit, hopes were pinned on this ambitious project. Following a teaser and an exciting trailer—especially the much-anticipated release trailer—*Kanguva* finally premiered today. The big question remains: does it meet the high expectations? Let’s find out in this detailed review.
Plot
Francis (Suriya) is a bounty hunter operating out of Goa alongside his ex-girlfriend, Angela (Disha Patani), and friend (Yogi Babu). During a job, Francis encounters a young boy named Zeta, who is on the run. This meeting reveals an unexpected connection between Francis and Zeta. The film unravels the mystery behind this bond and explores who Kanguva and Poruva are, and how their stories intertwine with Francis and Zeta.
Performances
Suriya shines as Francis Theodore and impresses in the dual role of Kanga (Kanguva). His portrayal, particularly through expressive eye movements, is commendable. However, at times, he appears somewhat out of place. Disha Patani as Angela is underutilized, with her character adding little value and often being more irritating than engaging.
Bobby Deol’s portrayal of Udhiran suffers from a poorly developed character and an odd look, leaving little to discuss. The child artist playing Poruva and Zeta delivers an impressive performance. A surprise cameo in the climax by a beloved star aims to set the stage for a sequel but ultimately falls flat.
Yogi Babu, Kovai Sarala, and other supporting actors are given weak roles that fail to capitalize on their talents. Notably, Yogi Babu’s humor misses the mark for the first time in recent memory.
Technical Aspects
Vetri Palaniswamy’s cinematography is a standout feature, capturing lush landscapes and night scenes beautifully. This is perhaps the film’s strongest technical element. However, Devi Sri Prasad’s music disappoints with subpar songs and an overly loud background score that lacks depth. Only the ‘Mannippu’ song and a brief background score in the second half offer any reprieve. Editing by Nishad Yusuf is another weak link, with overly fast cuts in the first half that strain the eyes. The extensive use of VFX is mediocre at best, which detracts from the film’s grandeur. Although the production values by Studio Green and UV Creations are commendable, a greater investment in refining the VFX could have elevated the film.
Director Siva’s ambition is clear, but his limited experience in handling a project of this scale, combined with an overreliance on melodrama, undermines the film. Better writing and pacing were needed to bring out the film’s potential. Instead, *Kanguva* ends up feeling like a series of disjointed action sequences lacking emotional depth.
Analysis
Since Baahubali, numerous filmmakers have attempted to replicate the success of large-scale, ambitious films that resonate with pan-Indian audiences. However, few have succeeded. One common pitfall is an overemphasis on local flavor, which can alienate wider audiences. This is a recurring issue in Tamil cinema, and *Kanguva* is no exception.
Despite an intriguing premise, Siva’s execution is loud, predictable, and overly saturated with native elements that feel out of place. The film’s characters frequently yell for no reason, and the exaggerated acting coupled with unusual character designs detracts from the experience, especially given the story’s 1070 AD setting.
The film starts promisingly with an engaging monologue set in 1070 and an intriguing scene involving Zeta in 2024. However, what follows is a chaotic first half filled with shouting and lackluster pre-interval sequences. The second half improves marginally, featuring a couple of well-executed scenes, but overall, it remains underwhelming. The Goa scenes with Suriya, Disha Patani, and Yogi Babu feel poorly executed and test the audience’s patience.
Director Siva’s inability to fully utilize the story’s potential and Devi Sri Prasad’s uninspired music further contribute to the film’s shortcomings.
Conclusion
Kanguva boasts an interesting plot but fails to deliver due to subpar execution. While a cameo hints at a sequel, the likelihood of a second installment seems dim. Despite some standout technical work in cinematography, the film’s overall loudness and lack of coherent storytelling make it a disappointing experience.
Verdict
Ultimately Disappointing.
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