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

When you talk about a movie like 'Pulimurugan' you don't have privilege to criticize much, because lots of efforts put on by the cast and the technical team is evident in shots particularly forest scenes. The script i earlier half is gripping and takes the movie experience to extraordinary levels. In later half the cliché scenes comes up with let down though the action scenes still comes to fascinate you and makes you forget those repetitions. The animations of tiger though are weaker since Malayalam movies can't afford the large expenses on these technicalities, it does not affect our entertainment quota. Actors in movie are of good capabilities but this is almost a one man show, yes Mohan Lal shadows all performances. He has performed all the action and drama scenes with perfection. Other actors are also good in their roles. The character of Bala is another well crafted character but by the end it flatters. Background score is the backbone of action sequences without which it could have been not much effective. The script includes all the ingredients in it be it drama, thrill or comic scenes, so it can be clearly said the script stands as the winner here. But no script is complete unless it is executed with perfection by its director and actors. Director Vyshaag had previously shown good skills in captivating colors of Punjab in 'Mallu Singh' and his venture 'Seniors' was too color full and entertainer; he has carried all those skills in to 'Pulimurugan' and justified with script and calibers of all the actors and provided us an excellent action packed movie. Apart from these the person who has to be appreciated most is Peter Hein for choreographing great action sequences and depicting it to perfection when comes to fight sequence including tiger. The animators have given appropriate body language to the tiger within their limits.Anyway this is a must watch movie which entertains and thrills you. The rating could be 7 but for action and scenic filming 8 will only justify.

One of the worst hyped-up Malayalam movies I've ever seen.The story line is incredible, the script is way below average and the performance is better left undefined. It's a case of a talented actor going over the hill and that the movie has already been such a super hit says how gullible we are as consumers and how our cinematic taste has reached a nadir. Not going into technical superiority since this is what money can buy these days. The movie is poor in terms of creative thought, cohesive screenplay and most unfortunately the incapability to separate a character from a marquee actor. The director had come up with some reasonably good movies but seems to have cowered before the myth that cinema revolves round a salable hero.

"story not an extraordinary one but entertaining and specially dedicated to all laletan fans"

Positives- 1.)Direction- Vysakh directed amazingly with lots of fan moments added making it an splendid watch.

2.) Story- Not an extraordinary one but it can entertain you.

3.)Mohanlal- Outstanding performance from mohanlal. Each and every scenes of his acting were brilliant and his action sequences need lots of applauds (It has already got from audience).

4.)Aijaz (childhood character of mohanlal), Lal,Vinu Mohan,Bala and Jagapathi Babu.

5.) Bg score and music- Gopi sundar once again proved and title song was superb. Without title song this movie would have got affected badly and its an asset to this film. Keep it up Gopi Sundar!! 6.)Action sequences- One of the best action choreography and i have never seen like this type of actions in Indian movies. Peter Hein has choreographed properly without any flaws and all of them were jaw dropping and thrilling.

7.) Cinematography and editing- Cinematography was visual treat and editing works were good.

Negative- 1.)Suraj comedies- Was bit outdated and boring. Plus all his jokes were lame. Cant blame him completely because the script failed in those portions and not him.

2.)Screenplay- Not Worst but could have been better because i felt out of all screenplay didn't offer nothing new and bored non mohanlal fans at certain areas with clichés.

Is it a Must Watch Film? Yes, It is a must watch film and you will never see this type of films in malayalam because its very rare and with budget of 25cr they have utilised it properly. No Indian films till now could make such an excellent product with this type of budget. Usually if you check other lang movies you can see it exceeds 40 cr + to make pulimurgan type of films and that too it fails to reach the expectations. So special applauds to director for that.

Overall- Go for this flick and surely it will be first malayalam movie to reach 100cr worldwide. If you check in terms of story it may not be that great but overall its a well packaged one and its surely a complete treat to mohanlal fans!! Don't wait for its DVD because you will get its feel only in theatre. And its a visual treat to everyone.

My rating- 4/5 (Go for this Flick!! ) For more reviews on all language movie go to - Ridinbal movie reviews

Director=Great Comeback,CareerBest

Preview *Big Budget Film in Mollywod Industry. *Lalettan-Vyshak Combo *PeterHein First Molywood Project *one of the Awaiting Movies Of recent time. *Udayakrishnans Independent Writing.

Review

Positive+

*Good Direction. *Fans and Family Are Equally Satisfied. *Graphic Works are Good *Peter Hein Stunts Are main Highlight *Smooth Screenplay *Introduce a New Adventure Genre to Mollywood Film Industry

Negative-

*Some of Comedies Didn't Working *Some characters are Not Wanted *Bit Lagging