Pulimurugan

One of the most anticipated Malayalam films of the year, this action adventure cannot be termed a disappointment, but as a welcome affair in the industry starving of technological development.

Murugan (Mohanlal) is an illiterate hunter who lives with his wife and daughter and is revered by the tribal villagers for he is the only person in the whole forest who can fight and subdue man-eating tigers mistaken to be leopards. After the death of his mother and hunter father, Murugan is left to fend for himself alone in the wild with his newborn brother. Chip off the old block, he turns into a survivalist and quickly learns the workings of the jungle, which conveniently helps him in his trademark endeavors. Things begin to go south when Murugan's now grown-up brother, Manikkuttan (Vinu Mohan), pursuing MBA in the city, sends two of his friends to the forest seeking help from Murugan. Since his brother and his professional success is everything for Murugan, he agrees to help, and then starts the calamitous phase in the lives of everyone involved, including that of Daddy Girija (Jagapathi Babu), an unscrupulous "merchant".

Before even the film starts, the starting credits are enough to understand why the film was made. Not only to entertain its massive audience, but to also cash in on the lead actor's wild and baffling popularity. The massive number of adjectives used to introduce the actor in the credits makes a real cinema enthusiast slightly uncomfortable for actors are only vehicles used by filmmakers to tell their story. Never mind!

The film is largely made out of highly energetic stunt sequences that are choreographed decently with good photography. Only Mohanlal can pull off what Murugan does as a character, often supplementing his idiosyncrasy with that flamboyant air and glamorous countenances of his. His chops as a hunter really is what makes the film half entertaining, along with the story that is not novel but at least bearable. Having said that, one should not expect novelty from Mr Vysakh; his filmography on Wikipedia or his last film is enough to understand the types of films he makes, but let us not ignore the first statement of third paragraph of this review. So, yes the stunts written by Udayakrishna look good because of CGI, but lack logic, and gravity for that matter. One can predict what is going to happen in the next five or fifteen or forty-five minutes and that is the sole reason why this adventure drama cannot be described with superlative adjectives. A well-constructed familiar story executed with ample use of computer graphics and loud sequences is what the film essentially is. Although, it does swerve into the South Indian masala film territory, which may not appeal to the informed audience. I know it's a niche group, but this review is intended for them.

Kamalinee Mukherjee, the lead lady, is ill-cast. With only a single expression in her kitty, she fails miserably to impress. Sequences involving her go as much to annoy the audience, and even though her character's actions may be justified, Mukherjee's portrayal bites the dust. Lal overacts throughout the film and so does Sooraj Venjaramoodu, in the most sexist character of the year, forcing film critic Anna MM Vetticad to boil in fury. Other prominent cast like Bala, Mohan, Kishore, Siddique, and Makarand Deshpande all do a decent job.

The comedy is appreciated, but it definitely goes overboard, even with Mohanlal who tries to reinvent his classic slapstick, but hits a door. The comic timing is not great either, mixing it with drama and sometimes spoiling the whole broth. Nonetheless, Venjaramoodu is the only one who adds the chuckles while rest of the cast stay in character and follow the helmer's orders fluently.

Overall, if one has the ability to ignore the seemingly improbable situations occurring in the story-line and welcome the action sequences with open arms and whistles, then Pulimurugan will be a sure-shot treat. The final 15 minutes are real gold for someone who is a Mohanlal fan and an action film fanatic. Only, if you are into animal rights and a bit fastidious, things might get cranky here as the justification about the film's title not matching the type of animal one sees on-screen does not weigh much, and that for me, is enough to omit a single star from this review. Films have to be original and if Mr Vysakh ever renames the film to "Kaduvamurugan", I'd make this a 7- star review. But, don't worry, we have "Swarna Kaduva", don't we?

The makers could have easily tightened the film into about 120 minutes and still make it look good. But, then, one wonders, how would they play that irritating title song when Pulimurugan crescendoes in action 897 times!

BOTTOM LINE: Vysakh's Kaduvamurugan... err.. "Pulimurugan" is a well-made potboiler that will be adulated by the fanatics, and can be passed off as a one-time affair by those with brains and the faculty to understand good cinema. Watch on DVD or go for that weekday show where the single ticket price is less than 100. (Not sure if that's possible right now in Kerala.)

Can be watched with a typical Indian family? YES

Apart from the great action sequences and need not have to mention - great performance by Mohanlal, there is nothing i felt in this movie appealing. I felt the story line so hollow and even irritating at times. There was no harmony in how the story developes. Nothing special on either direction or screen play.

This was a movie that generated a lot of hype before release and I was all geared up to criticize the movie but after watching I felt zipped shut. The movie gets into our hearts from the very start. The movie doesn't stand just for its action sequences, it is more of a family entertainer. The story goes in such a pace that you start to admire Murugan and stop questioning his one man army fights. As for the action sequences, the last time we witnessed this type of weapon fights was in Pazhassi Raja and Puli murugan nailed it. Good camera work, graphics, screenplay, direction, acting hell everything went good to keep you entertained till the very end. Kamalinee did her part and it doesn't even feel like she was the new face anymore. The movie has a social impact too, Murugan is a simple man with simple ideals about life. Like the innocent villagers in our country Murugan too is used for the modern man's greed. Another issue is the killing of tigers as it reminds us of all the idiotic laws against killing dogs. What I found interesting about the movie is it does not settle with the current atmosphere and keeps moving. Simplicity in the heart and fierceness in a fight is what Murugan is about. NOT A MOVIE YOU WATCH WHEN YOU HAVE TIME,THIS IS A MOVIE THAT YOU MAKE TIME FOR.

Givinng due credit to the positive aspects - The movie as such solely relies on Mohanlal's performance, which is awesome. But team work isn't balanced, though. Siddique's acting,camera work & Peter Hein's stunts were good too. Music is a let down, much suited for a low-bud film, doesn't suit Gopi Sundar's orchestration skills. Sudhir Karamana has been overacting in a few recent movies, which is in stark contrast with that of his father's fantastic controlled acting. Karamana Janardhanan Nair was one of Malayalam's finest. CGI is way better than that in any other south Indian movies released so far, although there are a few flaws which only trained eyes might spot. I wouldn't have noticed any of those, if I hadn't been working in Quality control in Animation Looks like the idea was to air the movie nationally but Jagapathy Babu, the ace Telugu villain's character & script couldn't deliver. Comparisons with Devasuram & Kireedam are hardly justified as both Napoleon & Mohan Raj carried off their equally important roles with flair & left a lasting strong impact. The pack of villains apparently have hurriedly-scripted roles. This is at a time when performance by a total newcomer Ashwin Kumar in Jacobinte swargarajyam was amazingly powerful & realistic. Otherwise the fact that excellent footages of Mohanlal fighting a snake and other scenes shown in teasers - yet removed scenes for optimizing the length of the movie is disappointing. Perhaps shortening stale comedy footage of Namita would have been prudent. Kamalini Mukherjee's expressions are hardly worth commenting- as is apt for any other imported actress, usual in Malayalam. Her casting again, must have had something to do with the intended national market of the movie. Also the stunt sequence while Mohanlal carries his fully grown-up brother while fighting is as ridiculous as watching some archaic Hindi movie. The Hype about this movie is hardly worth believing - Overall Grossly Disappointing

If you're a Mohanlal fan, you'll like it. Very much. For others it's just a mass movie with so many cliches. I gave four for the visual effects, eye catching art, locations and Mohanlal, as always was excellent. Still I don't recommend this movie to anybody other than Mohanlal fans.