User reviews

With all the budget and solid starcast, if only they had a good screenplay.

Fire Murali gopy and get someone new to write Lucifer 3 .

All the layers and symbolisms from Lucifer is missing in empuraan and is replaced with flashy pointless scenes . Movie was going good in the first act then maybe the makers thought screw this and let's throw random bs.

Manju warrier was the only saving grace. Except her makeover saree in one key scene. That was off putting .

Tovinos character arc and his big political decision doesn't make any sense.

Prithviraj as Zayed is really good but has placed himself as an equal or even better than the titular protagonist. Ahem, conflict of interest. By the third act, KA becomes like a secondary character in his own film.

Deepak Devs score is crap. Antony Perumbavoor and his son doing glorified cameos sums up the essence of this movie.

Mohanlal is at his best and does what he can do with his enigmatic - more than life character in this wasted multi million opportunity of a promising sequel. Still he is nowhere close to the amazing Stephen Nedumpally we saw in Lucifer.

His attire looks like an unintentional parody. Wonder who is the fasion terrorist for his costumes as KA.

In short KA nexus and its dealings feel like written by a 11 year old who is fascinated by newly found conspiracy theories.

Haven't been let down by any other movie in recent times like this.

The Good Great visual treat, fantastic sets, very realistic. Locations are awesome, very good casts from Hollywood, Bollywood and Mollywood. Very few dialogues but still Mohanlal shines.

The Bad Story has a weak and predictable arc, a lot of credit has been given to the writer, yes writers should be given credit, but not this one, not one original idea or plot, just rehash or old tried and tested ones.

The Ugly Loopholes Galore: Shotgun shots produce rifle bullet effects. An unepected jungle running scene has people being picked off my hidden ropes as if its planned. A tree is set fire to, just for effects. Fight sequence go on for too long, you see 7 thugs attacking but during fight scenes 20 of them are being beaten up. Riots is shown completley one sided, and the worst of the riots is put together for people to endure. Why the CM should switch sides when he has won and is already ruling is pointless and not explained at all, its done just to fit the storyline. Small budget films like Kishkindha Kandam, Jaya Jaya Jaya he, Rekhachitram, Officer is executed better.

In an effort to make a pan Indian film Prithvi forgot what made malayalam films good. Hope there is some meat in L3.

I was extremely impressed by Prithviraj's direction and the overall making of the film. The visuals, cinematography, and background score were top-notch and clearly demonstrated the effort and vision behind the project. The scale of the film and its technical aspects were commendable, setting high expectations for the story that followed.

Unfortunately, the content of the film didn't quite live up to those expectations. It felt cluttered with unnecessary elements, many of which didn't add any real value to the narrative. One of the biggest disappointments was Mohanlal's portrayal of the character Abraham. His performance lacked the depth and expression we've come to expect from him, especially when compared to his iconic role as Stephen. The character of Abraham came across as flat and unimpactful, leaving fans longing for the familiar charisma and emotional depth that Stephen brought to the screen.

Additionally, the movie was bogged down by an excessive number of characters who seemed irrelevant to the plot. Their presence detracted from the main story and weakened the overall impact of the film. It felt like the movie was trying to juggle too many storylines, which ultimately left it feeling disjointed and unfocused.

In conclusion, while the craftsmanship and ambition behind the film are commendable, the content and storytelling failed to meet the mark. What could have been a gripping, memorable experience ended up feeling bloated and underwhelming.

As we all know malyalam movies are renowned for the gripping story line which is majorly lacking in this, director did a pretty good job by combining two major story lines to build up for one more part but diluting a master piece has its own consequences.

As far as visuals speaks for themselves but those are most common nowadays in movie perspective, as being the most hyped malyalam movie of this year does it really upto the mark is questionable .

Final verdict is one time watchable for movie lovers as the movie has quite an action sequences and depth of selection in locations making it no less than a hollywood level movie .

It was a whole packed experience, I question the introduction scene of the villain. That scene hit hard for me, well it is rage bait afterall. Lalettan gave a dark Lucifer Morningstar vibes with a pinch of Bruce wayne and the John snow behaviour of always sad or like always grieving. Prithviraj had a nice 15 minutes I think and the last duo fight was just superb. Then the main villain, I feel like I lhave seen him somewhere but can't remember. Jerome flynn did an amazing job and I think Andrea too did a wonderful job. She was stunning in her introduction .I am waiting for part 3 maybe in next 5 years I hope. Didn't expect some cameos , it was well written. Btw due to the first scene I don't think its for children and emotionally vulnerable people. Otherwise A must watch !!

I watched the movie yesterday and noticed that the director (or someone involved) seemed to have a hidden agenda influencing the narrative. The first half had no real connection to the previous part , making it feel somewhat disconnected. However, I believe the filmmaker achieved their target without any cost.

The movie touches on various political issues in Kerala, highlighting the weaknesses of its leaders and referencing sensitive incidents. Given the nature of these topics, it should have undergone stricter censorship before release. While having a business-driven mindset is understandable, it should not come at the cost of manipulating history.

That said, the movie excels in its technical aspects-especially the action sequences and choreography, which were executed brilliantly. Overall, it's a commendable attempt, but it falls short of being a complete success.

Thanks!

I recently had the misfortune of watching a movie that failed to impress in almost every aspect. Despite having a talented cast, including Mohanlal, the film fell flat due to its weak storyline and poorly developed characters.

The visuals were one of the few redeeming qualities of the movie, with impressive cinematography and technical aspects. However, this wasn't enough to save the film from its overall mediocrity.

The first half showed some promise, but the second half was a complete letdown. The pacing was slow, and the movie dragged on for far too long. The climax was unfulfilling, leaving me feeling disappointed and unsatisfied.

Mohanlal, an actor known for his versatility, failed to deliver a convincing performance in this movie. His character felt underdeveloped and lacked depth, which was a shame considering his talent.

Overall, I wouldn't recommend this movie to anyone looking for a engaging cinematic experience. With a weak storyline, poor character development, and a slow pace, it's a waste of time and money.

Rating - 3.5/5

A socio-political mass action thriller executed with brilliant technicality giving an edge of the seat experience.

The story introduces us to the world of the Alpha lord Khureshi Abr'am who controls the Gold Diamond nexus globally through his dual identity. The story further explores whether this fallen angel will survive his war against the Jihadi groups, International Crime Nexus & Drug cartels from swallowing God's own Country and on how he exert influence on the political landscape of Kerala.

Murali Gopi has scripted the story well enough to accommodate and intertwine the story in the international terrains while being rooted to God's own Country. Prithviraj has excelled in bringing out Mohanlal in the most epic and stylish avatar like never before with slow motion and good BGM's. This can be termed as the best tribute a fanboy director can give to his idol on the reels. Prithviraj has brilliantly portrayed some sequences on screen in a way better than when it is was put into words. The first half stands superior storywise where as the latter half of the movie lost traction and felt like a usual revenge drama towards the end. Topnotch making but the final music felt like a medium to appeal and attract Bollywood audience.

Mohanlal made a subtle performance just by his looks and stance. Abhimanyu Singh,Sukant Goel,Manju Warrier,Nandu,Karthikeya Dev,Eriq Ebouaney,Andrea Tivadar,Jerome Flynn and Kishore made impressive performances.

Exceptional Cinematography by Sujith Vasudev especially the night visuals and wide angle shots in the foreign landscape. Deepak Dev's BGM's in the intro portions were stunning. Hats off to the Production designer Mohandas in precisely putting the director's vision onto the screen.

A larger than life visual marvel in Malayalam pulled off in a grandeur scale with epic performances and top-notch production quality makes it a must watch on big screens.

The whole movie is shot in slo mo, where even character exiting out of cars are stretched out to more than 2 minutes of footage, starting with the feet. The story has no substance, the characters are uninteresting, the performances are painful to watch. Looks like they spent a fortune on locations, props and CG. I had long ago decided never to watch a Prithviraj movie again, because most of his movies are total nonsense. However, the hype on this made me give him another chance, and I was totally disappointed. Again. Add to that the absolute spinelessness of Mohanlal and the producers to kowtow to the protesters and the cuts introduced reiterates that they don't value their art, and will do anything for mass appeal.

An awesome film! The narration, direction, and cinematography were top-notch. However, the beautification of Steffan felt slightly overdone. Apart from that, the plot and story progression closely resemble Lucifer. Still, it's worth a watch. The execution, performances, and technical aspects stand out. Great work by the team well done.

An awesome film! The narration, direction, and cinematography were top-notch. However, the beautification of Steffan felt slightly overdone. Apart from that, the plot and story progression closely resemble Lucifer. Still, it's worth a watch. The execution, performances, and technical aspects stand out. Great work by the team well done.

I was always skeptical about how good a sequel to Lucifer which goes international can get, and the trailers made me feel like it would be a technically solid but overall okay film, and with that thought this film met my expectations.

The technical side is incredibly done. The ambition behind this film is huge. Switching between international dealings with British intelligence, cartel faceoffs in Africa and the Middle East, the politics in Kerala, and riots in North India, it should still feel like the same movie. In terms of writing, there's so much more to be desired, but the technical side is where they compensate the most. The coloring was well done to make that consistent feel to all of it by giving a larger-than-life cinematic feel which also made some of the actor's skin feel AI-generated but I won't really complain about it considering what they were trying to do. The lighting on the other hand is what worked the best for me. The use of shadows, silhouettes, etc was so pleasing to see but the writing and music didn't step up to make those scenes more impactful.

The movie felt really long, there were a lot of things that felt repeated, some from the previous part and some in this same movie itself. A lot of stuff in the first half just felt very predictable and the stuff that is meant to be intriguing simply felt flat. They really tried to compensate for it firstly by incredible production quality and making, but along with that they also used real-life incidents as well as parallels with so many important political milestones. But the most hilarious attempts were the constant not at all subtle imageries like the "Ls" throughout the movie. There are so many other imageries here that are so on the face that it loses all the intrigue that they were able to create in Lucifer where it was subtle.

I was a bit bored in the first half because of how flat it felt, but the second half was really entertaining to me. Even though it still felt overlong, the action sequences were fun and the build-up to them was also pretty good. Manju Warrier's arc was well done which may be the only character with a proper character arc in this movie, unlike Lucifer. Surprisingly Antony's cameo was damn well too. I can't believe how well he was presented here.

Overall, even though there were so many things that didn't work in this for me and it's not as good as Lucifer which itself wasn't as great to me as it was to a lot of people, this was still fun to watch. The production quality and a few scenes that worked really well, as well as watching Mohanlal and Prithviraj fighting together made this worth it for me.

Wasted over 4+ hours on this pathetic movie. Empuraan attempted Hollywood style visuals and execution but gets bogged down by Bollywood drama and hero worship. More than half the runtime is consumed by an overbearing background score with helicopters, cars and excessive slow motion sequences - since Mohanlal cannot move or emote anymore. Add to that, some *L* from Lucifer thrown in for the fans every now and then.

There were a couple of political twists around which they could have built a nice narrative but that didn't happen. In fact, Manju Warrier almost had a better moment in the story but this was cut down for the hero's slow motion sequences. Usha Uthup's end credits song was the saving grace - prompted us that the torture is over 😅

The rightwing controversy hype and diehard fans have helped the movie in box-office.

Watched L2: Empuraan with high expectations after the gripping trailer, and to be honest, it stands as a worthy sequel.

Where to begin? Let's start at the beginning. Jathin Ramdas, the son of PKR and the Chief Minister of Kerala, has strayed far from his father's principles. As the saying goes, "Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." Aligning himself with a religious party, he plans to exploit Kerala-just like any CM in a typical political thriller. But where is Stephen Nedumpally? The man who once introduced Jathin to IUF and Kerala's political game must now step in to save God's Own Country. Will he succeed? That forms the core of the story.

Director Prithviraj Sukumaran has once again delivered a stylish and visually striking film, showcasing Mohanlal in all his mass glory with well-executed slow-motion shots and a powerful background score. However, one can't help but feel that Lalettan deserved more screen time.

The antagonist, Bhajrangi Bhai, is introduced as a menacing force in his flashback sequences, but unfortunately, this intensity isn't sustained in the second half, making his character feel somewhat underwhelming. Prithviraj himself gets ample screen time and, as expected, delivers a strong performance.

Overall, L2: Empuraan is a solid sequel that delivers stylish action, political drama, and mass moments. It may not be perfect, but it's definitely worth experiencing on the big screen.

Empuraan is a magical visual treat for audience, Intros and fight sequences , bgm could be improve a bit and story is ok.

Overall a must watch theatre Experience.

Mohanlal is effortlessly powerful as Stephen Nedumpally/Kureshi-Ab'ram, and Prithviraj Sukumaran's direction is stylish and confident. The cinematography is stunning, and the action sequences are brilliantly executed. However, the first half drags with heavy exposition, and the emotional weight that made Lucifer engaging is missing.

If you loved Lucifer, this is worth watching for the world-building and Mohanlal's presence alone. But if you're expecting the same level of intensity and tight storytelling, you might walk away slightly underwhelmed. A solid sequel, but not as sharp as it could have been. Waiting for L3.

Empuraan is a visually stunning film that pushes the boundaries of Malayalam cinema, but it falls short in terms of storytelling.

The movie starts with a violent action sequence, setting the tone for what follows. The Hollywood-style cinematography and fight scenes are something never seen before in Malayalam cinema. The explosion shots are brilliantly executed, adding to the grand scale of the film. However, there are several repeated shots, which make some parts feel stretched.

The music, compared to other mass masala films, doesn't quite hit the mark. While the makers took a different approach, it worked well in some places but fell flat in others. The background score elevates certain scenes but lacks the energy needed for a film of this scale.

The film cleverly mocks modern politics in Kerala, which adds an interesting layer to the screenplay. The first half keeps the audience engaged by maintaining a sense of mystery. But when it comes to the story, it doesn't feel as strong as expected. There is a lack of a true "wow factor" after watching the movie, leaving a slight disappointment.

Prithviraj's introduction scene stands out and even feels more impactful than Mohanlal's. Speaking of Mohanlal, his costumes didn't work for me, as they didn't match the larger-than-life character he portrays. Stephan gives me goosebumps but A. K was disappointing.

Visually, this is unlike any Malayalam film before. But despite the technical brilliance, the overall film doesn't fully meet expectations. That said, Empuraan is a must-watch in theatres because OTT won't deliver even half of its cinematic impact.

This movie is a complete disappointment, with a poorly written script that lacks depth and coherence. The dialogue feels forced, and the story drags on unnecessarily for an excruciating three hours, making it a test of patience rather than an engaging cinematic experience.

The pacing is all over the place-sometimes unbearably slow, then suddenly rushed, giving the film a disjointed feel. There's no smooth narrative flow, making it difficult to stay invested in the story.

Adding to the misery is the lackluster background music, which fails to enhance the mood or elevate key scenes. The songs are equally unimpressive-forgettable at best and completely out of place at worst.

Overall, this movie is a complete waste of time. With a weak script, uneven pacing, and poor musical choices, it fails on almost every front. Definitely not recommended.

Empuraan (2024) - A Spectacular Cinematic Experience!

Empuraan is nothing short of a cinematic masterpiece, delivering everything fans expected and more. Directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran, this highly anticipated sequel to Lucifer takes the story to grander heights with a gripping narrative, intense action sequences, and breathtaking visuals.

Mohanlal effortlessly reprises his role as Khureshi-Ab'ram, bringing unparalleled charisma and depth to the character. The screenplay is tight, keeping audiences engaged with unexpected twists and powerful dialogues. The cinematography and background score perfectly complement the film's grand scale, making every frame visually stunning.

With brilliant performances, a well-crafted story, and an exhilarating mix of action, politics, and intrigue, Empuraan is a must-watch for Malayalam cinema lovers. It lives up to the hype and sets new benchmarks for Indian cinema. Don't miss this spectacular ride!

Rather than concentrating on the narrative and expanding the 'Lucifer' universe, it seems the creators prioritised showcasing the impressive scale and opulence they achieved, particularly striking for an industry that rarely ventured into such lavish and extravagant realms.

This emphasis is evident at frequent intervals, especially when they lead the protagonist to exotic locations, make him do sleek, slo-mo action, all while maintaining an air of sophistication and grandeur.

Now do not get me wrong, I am not opposing the ambition to go grand and embrace flamboyance, particularly when the film's budget allows for such creative freedom. However, that should not compromise the quality of the writing or the development of the characters. When one strips away all the glitz & glamour and assesses the feature purely from a story point of view, shortcomings become apparent.

FYI, I appreciated the original 'Lucifer' for its intent to weave a compelling political thriller, and I was captivated by the character of 'Stephan', I was eager to delve deeper into his story in this continuation.

Even when the trailers for the sequel promised an entirely new experience, I held onto my hopes for something deserving of my wait & anticipation, but unfortunately, none of those were fulfilled, it did not meet my expectations.

**The visuals and story building are way too strong and good for anything but an Indian Cinema. Must watch!**

**L2E: EMPURAAN** is a cinematic triumph that takes storytelling and visual spectacle to a whole new level. As a sequel to *Lucifer*, this film builds upon its predecessor with remarkable finesse, expanding the world of Stephen Nedumpally while crafting a gripping narrative that demands full attention. From the very first frame, *Empuraan* makes it clear that it is not just another mass entertainer-it's a well-thought-out, layered film that leans into strong world-building, a thrilling narrative, and high-quality visuals.

### **The Strength of Storytelling and World-Building** One of the film's biggest strengths is its storytelling. Unlike *Lucifer*, which relied heavily on mass appeal and elevation sequences, *Empuraan* takes its time to craft a more intricate, expansive world. Prithviraj Sukumaran, as a director, has meticulously built a layered story that doesn't just revolve around its protagonist but also around a much larger scheme of power, politics, and crime. The screenplay is tighter, more engaging, and filled with moments that keep the audience invested.

The political conspiracies, international ties, and deeper dive into the underworld make this film much more than just a standard action thriller. There are no unnecessary diversions, and every scene contributes meaningfully to the plot, which makes the story highly immersive. Unlike typical commercial films that lean on action-packed sequences with little logic, *Empuraan* takes the route of controlled storytelling, making sure every thread has its purpose.

### **Visual Brilliance and Technical Mastery** The cinematography and visual effects in *Empuraan* are nothing short of spectacular. The film carries an international feel, with breathtakingly well-shot sequences that elevate the grandeur of the story. Sujith Vaassudev's cinematography captures the scale of the film beautifully, whether it's the high-octane action sequences or the subtle, dialogue-driven moments.

The color grading, frame composition, and use of lighting make each scene visually striking. It doesn't look like a typical Indian action film but rather something on par with international productions. The action sequences, too, are masterfully choreographed, making them realistic yet stylish. The film never looks overdone or gimmicky, which is a major win for its execution.

### **A Film That Lives Up to the Hype (Purely as a Film, Not as a Star Vehicle)** A common concern with heavily hyped films is whether they live up to expectations. *Empuraan* does. However, it does so as a *film* rather than a *fan service product*. Unlike many sequels that merely capitalize on the success of their predecessors, this movie justifies its existence by offering something fresh. It is intense, well-paced, and delivers a rewarding experience for those who appreciate strong filmmaking.

This is where it differs from its reception among Mohanlal and Prithviraj fans. While many expected a mass-loaded spectacle with Mohanlal in the center of everything, the film instead focuses on a detailed, well-written story that doesn't entirely revolve around just one or two characters. This makes *Empuraan* a much stronger film but might leave some hardcore fans wishing for more hero elevation sequences.

### **The Biggest Flaw: Limited Screen Time for Mohanlal and Prithviraj** If there's one aspect that might leave audiences divided, it is the lack of screentime for Mohanlal and Prithviraj. Given that *Lucifer* established Stephen Nedumpally (aka Khureshi-Ab'ram) as a larger-than-life figure, many expected him to dominate the sequel with the same kind of mass presence. However, *Empuraan* takes a different approach. Instead of treating Mohanlal's character as an all-powerful force, the film distributes its focus across multiple characters and events.

For a well-crafted story, this is a positive, as it allows for a more balanced and intricate plot. But for fans expecting a full-blown Mohanlal show, it might feel underwhelming. Even Prithviraj, despite being the director, doesn't take much screentime for himself, making this film more about the story than the star power.

### **Final Verdict** Despite some drawbacks in terms of screentime for the leads, *L2E: EMPURAAN* is a masterfully crafted film that delivers in terms of storytelling, world-building, and technical brilliance. It's not just a Malayalam film with a superstar in the lead-it's a well-made, ambitious cinematic experience that stands tall in Indian cinema.

If you're expecting a traditional mass entertainer filled with elevation scenes, this might not entirely satisfy you. But if you're looking for a well-directed, well-written, and visually stunning film that respects its audience's intelligence, *Empuraan* is a must-watch.

It's obviously a benchmark movie because of the hype it had. Never a malayalam movie had this much hype. As far as I am concerned it met my expectations as a sequel to lucifer.

Technical richness and production quality can be seen in each and every shot.

The movie had its own ups and downs but the graph was declining for a while but somehow the second intro of the protagonist (antagonist) just sky rocketed the whole movie into a new level. In my opinion it was definitely the highest point of the whole movie. Climax fight should have been better,KA gang could do anything literally anything, even though they wanted to fist fight.

This is my first-ever review on IMDb, and even though I visit this site every time before deciding to watch a movie or series, this is my first time actually writing one.

And what better film to start with than Empuraan!

To be honest, if Lucifer was an 8, I'd rate Empuraan a 6. However, I'm giving it a 7 here because I don't want to see the movie fail-Malayalam cinema is reaching new heights, and I'm proud that Empuraan has already broken records, becoming the most booked movie on BookMyShow. May it continue to break more records!

10/10 for the trailer edit-hats off to that one. Loved it.

A few things I want to highlight here: I felt that Lucifer had better visuals and color grading-a beautiful blend of black and white with the right composition. Especially the colors of that Stephen/Bimal scene in the beginning. Empuraan lacks such visually appealing scenes.

The first half felt a bit slow at times.

I watched a lot of Prithviraj/Mohanlal interviews in the past few days, and Prithviraj sir emphasized that, just like in Lucifer, Mohanlal sir would have less screen time to make his character feel harder to reach to. I loved that concept, but the execution didn't work as well.

Hats off to Prithviraj and Murali Gopy for the amazing script and for pulling off such a massive film.

Some scenes were absolutely on par with Hollywood standards-especially the opening sequence.

Comparing this to the previous film, Vivek Oberoi was a charismatic villain-different and top-notch in his acting. This time, however, I felt like the villain casting was typical of a regular action masala movie.

I know that writing a review here takes less than five minutes of my time, and judging a film is easy. But executing a film like this takes an immense amount of guts, hard work, determination, and skill.

The efforts these people have put in-their blood, sweat, and dedication-is evident on screen.

Before watching the film, I had a certain image of the character Khureshi Abraam, and the reality didn't quite match my expectations. The way he talks, walks, looks, and so forth.

Also, I felt Mohanlal sir looked far more legendary in his original Lucifer look as Stephen Nedumpally.

May the film and project be a huge success which is a dream for many, and may many more directors get such chances to execute such huge films.

All the best.

Its understandable how viewers have different opinions and how some people like fast action paced movies, but I believe I'm not just speaking for myself when I say this, but malayalam movies have always maintained their class of being absolutely perfect with the pacing of a movie as that is the intention of the Director showing how difficult it is to reach or to see KA or Lucifer for that matter, Prithviraj has preserved that aura that KA holds and delivered a cinematography masterclass to the audience and relied on malayalam movie's greatest strength i.e a well structured story, I loved every story building part of it, and this is what you call a High Budget movie ladies and gentlemen.