Pizza

After learning his girlfriend is pregnant, a pizza deliveryman decides to take a last-ditch job for the extra money by dropping off an order at a strange house in the countryside, but when he finds himself embroiled in a strange conspiracy tries to solve the mystery to get out alive.

There are a lot of positive aspects to be had with this one. The main feature to like here is the rather strong setup that introduces a rather strong and enjoyable central relationship. Since so much time is spent on the two with their living arrangements and discussions about the future together, they come off like a realistic couple in the throes of a lived-in relationship. Knowing how much she wants to settle down into a family with him and raise their unborn daughter together despite his financial concerns about all of them living as a family feels genuine and realistic. This plays off quite well in setting up the constant need to be working and taking odd assignments at work to help themselves along and prepare for the future which ends up generating a lot of sympathy and attachment to the couple so that the scares that emerge later on have a weight to them. The setup at the house comes off rather fun as well, with the introduction of the family at the house on his delivery route or the various side characters at work, have a lot to like while setting up the storyline quite well. This turns the middle part of the film into a rather impressive series of supernatural activity and hauntings. Things start off ominously with the daughter feverishly drawing and chanting in an eerie language to herself which is quite unnerving, but the later delivery that traps him at the house is where this gets terrifying. From finding figures impaled halfway up a wall with large knives plunged into their body, a series of chilling setpieces playing around with music playing from an object in the distance, or seeing objects disappear suddenly, there's a lot to like in this section. With the focus squarely on him the entire time, there's an unnerving quality attached to his walking around the darkened house unaware of what's going on. Escalating matters is a strong series of tactics that are generally amusing to watch while being generally terrifying in execution as bodies start piling up around the house, phone lines don't seem to work as they should and no one can be trusted, this highlights a rather impressive turn that the story takes. The twist that arises is incredibly shocking and quite well-written since it's quite surprising how everything gets revealed and impacts what's been known to that point which is where the film shines. These elements all combine into a fine series of positives although this one does have a few drawbacks to hold it down. One of the biggest detriments is an overlong setup that causes the film to be much longer than it really should. All the enjoyable setup that goes into making their relationship feel believable, including their arguments but also the times where it stops to focus on the happy times when they're on dates or enjoying time together, this also causes an excessively long build-up. It's around the forty-five-minute mark when he arrives at the house and things start happening which is a bit too long to spend before getting to the point of the film. As well, the other big factor emerges once the twist has been revealed and a lengthy backstory involving the origins of the twist and what led to everything taking place is rather problematic. Far too much of this part of the film relies on explaining in detail what happened and hardly any of it makes an impact at all based on being from a different film entirely which is the wrong kind of feeling to be had when dealing with a genre film of this kind. It ends the film on a bad note and is what brings this down overall.

Rated Unrated/R: Violence and Language.

Pizza (2012) : Brief Review -

Probably, The best use of "Deux Ex Machina" ever done in thriller genre. Meet World's First horror-con-thriller ever. I think i have given away too much in the first two lines only which might turn a big spoiler unless you don't think about it too much. So, first you should know what is "Deux Ex Machina". If you know it then it's great and if you don't then please go to Wikipedia and read about it there. That will save some copy-paste work for me in this BRIEF review. So, now you know what that term means basically and let me tell you it's not complex as you think. Actually, we all have been through it with many comedy films over the years but just didn't think that it could mean something intricate like this. So better leave it UNSOLVED and that's what it means here. Pizza is horror film but we all know that there's nothing like ghosts and all so we start finding solid reasons for it. Remember, Malayalam Classic 'Manichitrathazu'? Even that belongs to horror genre but as we all know it's not a real thing so we start finding logic into it. That film provides it by the perfect use of Psychological medical terms so while watching Pizza you also wish there would be something logical at the end to cover all the unrealistic loopes. It's a sign of an intelligent movie viewer who easily don't believe in spilled stuff and rather likes to wait for intriguing turnarounds. With Pizza, the same thing happens. They show you horror images because you are a smart movie buff, you don't believe it and wait for the suspense to get revealed. A pizza delivery boy lands in a mysterious circumstance and it works a dramatic change in his life. I am not spoiling anything here because i want you to watch the film without any speculations and i am sure it will blow you away. It's little predictable but still very hooked and surprising. Thanks to Team Pizza for trying something different and for me that's the best thing about it.

RATING - 8/10*

By - #samthebestest.

Aside from lacklustre Romance track featuring Sethupathi and Remya, I am truly impressed by Subbaraj's ability to craft and sustain tension throughout the horror sequences.

From Michael's entrance into the eerie bungalow to the climactic revelation, I was captivated. The horror genre is undeniably reliant on technical precision, perhaps more so than any other, and to achieve such moments where the narrative remains firmly in control and sustains a certain rhythm and momentum is truly commendable.

My biggest grips is regarding the final sequence, I wish it had a bit more material and substance in offering, felt somewhat rushed.

The director Karthik Subba Raj presents the audience with a different kind of cinematic enjoyment and he has won the applause of the audience with his debut film.

The director, the actors and the cast alike have succeeded in making 'Pizza' a mere low budget film, both in its expertise and direction as well as in every field.

Michael (Vijay Sethupathi), an employee of a pizza shop, lives with his girlfriend Anu (Ramya Nambeesan).

Anu is also a novelist who does research on ghosts and demons. She often scares Michael, who says he has no faith in supernatural powers, by showing him horror movies and telling stories, but Michael did not give much importance to it.

Meanwhile, Michael goes to a secluded house for a pizza delivery.

The story progresses through the strange and terrifying circumstances that Michael faces there.

The story of Pizza cannot be told all at once as it is told in other movies.

The backbone of the film is a different and innovative script that narrates the story within the story.

At the end of the story, the audience will have many doubts.

Not only does the director not bother to answer all these doubts but it also makes it the task of the audience to find the answers.

This is where the audience gets a chance to see the film in different ways.

It goes without saying that Vijay Sethupathi's excellent performance is a major factor in the success of this film.

A good suspense thriller film that kept the novelty in presentation and theme.

I saw this movie with a friend, not knowing anything about the story, just with the idea that the movie is good. And I had surprise waiting in the theater. It was the most exciting movie for me as far as I can remember (after Kanchana - which was again a Tamil Horror movie, which exciting to watch in the theater too) It is a movie which has to be watched in a good theater a loads of people to scream and cry along with you, which makes the movie experience the best. If you missed theater, I would suggest watching it in Home theater, with lots of friends who haven't seen the movie too.

Now as for the technical aspects, the editing, cinematography and music are great plus along with Karthik Subburaj's excellent narration makes it an wonderful One time watch. Hat's off to the team!

Pizza - 10/10. Best when served hot! :)