Minnal Murali

For a change, it was refreshing to watch a superhero movie that isn't about saving (certain parts of 👀) the world, that doesn't have sophisticated technology. As a superhero movie in Mollywood/Indian Cinema, it could have easily followed the regular Hollywood tropes, but it didn't & I thought that it stayed grounded, relevant to the industry and the audience.

Great cinematography, great sound design, people aren't happy with the VFX - I didn't mind it at all, a story that could have been all over the place - but isn't, humor, great acting, this film has it all. In an era where we have high budget films (without superheroes) in which modified cars are sent to space (press F for Family), MM proves that you don't need anything flashy/over-the-top to make a film work. Bruh's out running in his 'Hawaii Chappal' despite being a superhero as he's figuring his powers out. There's enough time spent on the antagonist and his backstory. Good character development overall.

In the process of explaining everything, did the movie become a tad too slow and long in the first half? Maybe, or maybe not. All that said this was a good 'origin' story. I would really like to see a sequel or two for this, but now that everything's been explained, a similar pacing in a future movie might become an issue.

But I choose not to worry about that RN, this movie is one that needs to be celebrated not only for what it is, but what Indian cinema could be in several years' time. Imagine a day when superheroes from different film industries in India crossover into each other's movies and eventually team up! Hell, 3-4 movies down the line, maybe Minnal Murali is so popular that MCU figures out a way to make him cannon, or at least for a cameo?

Excited to see what comes from this.

I believe Shaktiman was the first Indian superhero that too was in my childhood, after that Krrish came. Enthiran also was one kind of a superhero but not human.

Now Malayalam film industry is having its first super hero movie.

The story, making and everything technically was extra ordinary hats off to basil.

Guru Somasundaram was amazing, cant talk more about his character as it would become spoiler Tovino also did well, perfect for this role.

The only negative would be the background music.

The first part of this superhero fiction is marvelous. Making, artwork, VFX and other works were great. The story was also portrayed well. One of the best movie from Basil joseph. Great effort and teamwork. Guru somasundharam performed well than tovino thomas. Missed the theatre experience. Waiting for the second part if there is one.

Here starts the real super hero saga of Malayalam or perhaps Indian film industry... Proud of and much love to crew and cast.. A pure desi blend it is, brave and bold attempt Basil bro, hats off...

You'll feel a sense of wicked delight originating from the cinematic social milieu that Basil Joseph is so known to masterfully create as you sit down in your living room and watch Baiju and Rajesh Madhavan in their policemen characters waiting in a "thattukada" for a man to give him an earful, perhaps a handful. The man is a poovalan who's supposed to come down to a bus stop to meet his girlfriend. That deed may or may not happen but that is not the point of this fantastic sequence that introduces almost everyone in the film that needs an introduction.

It is therefore this world-building that I want to point out that makes Minnal Murali (Lightning Murali, Mister Murali) a fresh wave into the Malayalam cinema. With equal weightage given to the primary and secondary characters (especially the central duo) and a weaving plot that experiences starting trouble but soon takes off, Minnal Murali maintains a steady pace with a mix of dry humour, heavy drama, and scattered social commentary. None of these take centrestage though as the story evolves into a bona fide superhero template that still doesn't feel trite. The background score and surprisingly well-done VFX were the highlights for me as I sat down being enthralled by the sheer magic in the way the story is written.

Minnal Murali has heralded the superhereo genre with the punch that it demanded and I for one am riding the happy wave. More than anything, this is clever cinema, one that makes you marvel at all the tiny and larger bits of writing that make up this jubilant confluence. Something that you can use to forego the cliched shadow that hangs over the plot sore. You can't miss how the story evolves at a meandering pace, narrating the origin of the evil and the good equally well. Something that I don't see usually in this genre. Watch it, you'll like it.

(Reviewed post embargo on 22 Dec. Watched during its world premiere at the MAMI Year Round Programme.)