Kingdom

Anirudh Ravichandran's initial impression of "Kingdom," stating that the first 40 minutes looked great, holds true; however, had he seen the entire film, his statement might have been different. The movie felt disjointed, as if two different screenwriters worked on the first and second halves. The opening act effectively established a proper spy thriller atmosphere, building tension and intrigue. Unfortunately, the latter half abruptly shifted into a generic "saviour temple" narrative without a cohesive blend, losing the focus and tension that made the initial spy phase so engaging.

The film missed several crucial opportunities to elevate its narrative. Firstly, the villain and their motivations remained underdeveloped, leaving it unclear whether their actions stemmed from regional discrimination or simply a problematic psyche. This lack of depth prevented the audience from building any genuine hatred or understanding towards them. Secondly, the emotional stakes felt low, particularly before the pivotal revolt scene, which needed more emotional groundwork. Furthermore, the relationship between the hero and heroine, as well as the bond between the hero and his brother's Family, lacked sufficient development, diminishing their impact on the story.

Finally, the movie's approach to setting up a sequel felt heavy-handed. Instead of a background voice explicitly detailing future events, a more visual display would have been preferable, allowing the audience to interpret and discuss possibilities. This approach would leave room for reviewers to analyze and break down potential plotlines, fostering a more engaging post-viewing experience. Additionally, certain scenes felt abruptly cut, and the "AI shots" in the second half were noticeably strange, further detracting from the overall cinematic flow.

Went for Gowtham Tinnanuri, but it is the others who shine! A legendary comeback for Vijay Devarakonda after several disappointments and flops. Anirudh's music has clicked here and worked fantastic throughout the film. Cinematography and stunt choreography was stunning. Unfortunately, the story was plain old and the screenplay was told in a flat narration. I hated the portrayal of the Sri Lankan Tamils as smugglers was condemnable. Overall, a decent-ish cinema experience.

Kingdom blends myth and legend, refugee drama, stylized action along with good visuals and standout BGM by Anirudh. It's the bgm, and screen presence of VD and Satyadev that carries the film more than the narration. The story is reminiscent of recent films like Retro and that's why it feels familiar. The first 15 minutes or so upto the title card is probably the best scene in the first half, or even in the entire movie. But the second half seems to falter a bit with more drama, and some predictable plot twists. The pre climax and climax scenes were well shot. In short, they've tried to make something memorable, but since it heavily borrowed from recent films, it's predictable, and yet partially satisfying for a one time watch. It's one more popcorn movie, don't expect something extraordinary from Kingdom, and it won't disappoint.

KINGDOM is a cinematic canvas painted with striking visuals, raw emotions, and a decent narrative rooted in brotherhood, smuggling, and the soul of a tribal community. At its core, the film explores two brothers torn between survival and loyalty, set against a backdrop that feels both epic and intimate.

The direction is powerful, with every frame speaking volumes, while the screen presence commands attention especially the transformation of Vijay, who delivers one of his most intense and grounded performances to date. His portrayal seamlessly blends rugged action with quiet vulnerability.

The film's rhythm is intriguing: the first half bursts with high-octane action, keeping you on edge, while the second half dives into emotion, slowing the pace but deepening the story's impact. It's a deliberate choice that allows the audience to breathe, reflect, and connect.

The climax ends on a cliffhanger, teasing a potential sequel. While the narrative does have its moments of drag, KINGDOM stands strong as an one-time watch experience, especially for those who admire layered storytelling and visual grandeur.

If you're a true lover of cinema, give it your time.

Storyline pace is good but not very engaging still watchable.

Vijay worked very hard to fit in its character,his work shows his hard work and dedication.

Character building of all characters where good overall. Only some characters are poorly presented.

Only Anirudh's BGM can't do Magic, you have to work hard to fit in it.

• No Song that's the Good Part.

Story is good but I as an audience have watched many movies like this one, wanted more action, thrill and entertainment.

I was not expecting much from this film.

I will not say any other movie references for this film ya somewhere you'll feel once But it's okay because the movies genres are going through that tunnel of old school stuff with new shoes.

Action scenes were okay okay but Raw.

Storyline is Good but don't see that much effort to make an impact that character really matters, I personally don't felt connected.

Overall a good watch. Good one by Vijay after many years. Wink.