Devara: Rei dos Mares - Parte 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.

Koratala Siva returns to the director's chair with Devara Part 1, marking his second collaboration with NTR after the successful Janatha Garage. While Siva's direction is commendable, especially after the lackluster performance of his previous film, Acharya, he manages to deliver a solid narrative this time around.

NTR shines in a dual role as father and son, showcasing his versatility and emotional depth. His performances are a highlight, effectively capturing the nuances of both characters. Saif Ali Khan also stands out, adding gravitas to the film and elevating the overall impact.

Visually, the film excels in its VFX, particularly in the depiction of the sea, which is meticulously crafted. However, some sequences in the second half feel less polished, which detracts from the overall experience.

One of the film's weaker aspects is Jhanvi Kapoor's character. Her role feels underdeveloped and unnecessary; trimming her scenes wouldn't significantly affect the story, which makes her presence feel superfluous.

The first half of Devara is engaging and exciting, filled with strong storytelling and captivating twists. However, the momentum falters in the second half, which tends to drag and lose some of the initial thrill.

Musically, Anirudh's work is impressive, particularly with the well-crafted Ayudha Pooja song, which fits seamlessly into the film's rhythm and enhances its emotional beats.

Overall, Devara Part 1 offers a mixed experience. While it excels in direction, performances, and visual effects, it suffers from pacing issues and an underutilized character. I would rate this film a 6/10-enjoyable for NTR fans, but it leaves room for improvement in the sequel.

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.

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.

South Indian movies have started the trend of big-budget, larger-than-life movie series, and this one is yet another massive project for Jr. NTR after RRR. Does it live up to the expectations? That remains a big question.

Part 1 follows the story of people living on an island, where Devara and his clan survive by smuggling. Everything changes when Devara has a change of heart and stops his people from committing wrongdoings while serving as the guardian of the sea.

The story isn't unique or gripping enough to keep you on the edge of your seat, but it doesn't bore you either. You keep hoping for something monumental to happen, but sadly, nothing of that sort unfolds. The suspense, which was supposed to blow your mind, can be guessed with a bit of thought-except for the last scene. The final twist seems to have been added more to spark curiosity for the second part than to serve as a true cliffhanger. The fictional world, however, looks stunning, thanks to the brilliant work of the art department and cinematographer, who make it feel real and visually breathtaking.

Jr. NTR is in top form, nailing the double role of father and son with perfection. Saif Ali Khan plays his part well, and as the antagonist, he holds his ground. Sadly, the script doesn't give him much scope to shine. Jhanvi Kapoor looks pretty and is decent in her role, but her character is so inconsequential that even if it were removed, it wouldn't affect the movie. Prakash Raj is completely wasted, with almost nothing significant to do.

The songs look visually stunning, thanks to the creative sets and beautiful choreography. The VFX and graphics are well-executed, if not extraordinary. However, the action sequences are strictly average, especially the climax, which feels underwhelming despite its grand scale. Jhanvi's character brings some lightness and a few chuckles, but her role feels forced and underutilized.

It can be watched for its grandeur and some entertainment value, but it doesn't effectively leave you yearning for its second installment.

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