Devara Part 1

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.

Right, so the plot's got a couple of clever bits, but then it throws in a few daft moments as well. The screenplay's not much to shout about either - some scenes are decently done, but a fair few are completely unconvincing, and the rest? Well, they're just plain dull.

NTR, bless 'im, pulls out his usual stellar performance, but let's be honest, he doesn't quite look the part this time around. Saif, playing the baddie, gives it a good go, Prakash Raj did fine as always. Now Janvi? She's about as natural as a plastic plant - in her looks and her acting.

The rest of the cast, fair play, they gave it their best shot. But the cinematography? It's bang average, nothing that really pops or feels authentic. The sets and props? Just as dodgy - it all feels a bit fake, to be honest. And don't even get me started on the VFX and CGI - absolute rubbish. Costumes and makeup are especially naff, especially on Janvi, who looks like she's just stepped out of a shop window.

The music's decent, though, I'll give them that. But the action scenes? Overly violent and just plain daft at times.

If you're a die-hard NTR fan, you might find something to enjoy in this less-than-mediocre flick, but for everyone else? Probably best to give it a miss.

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.

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.

Hits:

1. VFX Surprise: Despite initial concerns, the movie's visuals (locations and VFX) impressed on the big screen, delivering a realistic and immersive experience.

2. Action Masterclass: The film excels in capturing the intensity of mass action sequences. The ambush scene at the interval, with its blood-soaked waves and Devara's defiant face, is a prime example.

3. NTR's Duality: NTR shines, portraying the duality of the courageous Devara and the timid Vara with remarkable balance.

Misses:

1. Second-Half Fumble: The movie's biggest weakness lies in its second half. Weak writing filled with immature jokes, illogical scene transitions, and a rushed plot significantly dampens the experience.

2. Janhvi Kapoor Misfire: Kapoor's scenes were poorly received, highlighting some shortcomings in Indian cinema's portrayal of female characters.

3. Music Overload: While the editing is good, Anirudh Ravichander's music feels overused, detracting from the narrative flow. The score dominates the film when a well-placed soundtrack would have been more impactful.

4. Weak Dialogue: The dialogues themselves are forgettable, saved only by NTR's strong delivery.

Uneven Pacing: The first half meticulously builds the world, while the second half rushes through the plot, leading to a forced and unsatisfying climax/cliffhanger. It feels like the director struggled with the ending, leaving it open for a sequel.

Overall: A strong first half full of action and NTR's performance can't redeem a poorly executed second half. This film had the potential to be an epic action spectacle but ultimately falls short.