Remember the moment right before you watch RRR because afterward the possibilities of cinema will seem changed forever.
I don't know how I missed this film earlier in the year but watching this on my television felt like an IMAX. I've never seen anything quite like it. RRR (Rise, Roar, Revolt) is a wildly entertaining adrenaline rush that reimagines the story of Indian revolutionaries Raju and Gheem who contested the oppressions of British colonial power. While there's no record that they ever met, director/writer S. S. Rajamoul imagines them in the bromance of the 20th Century.
Rajamouli shoots the action with supercharged energy, amazing set pieces, heightened visuals and lean-forward originality. You won't be bored for a single second by the action — or the story.
Rajamouli shoots the action with supercharged energy, amazing set pieces, heightened visuals and lean-forward originality. You won't be bored for a single second by the action — or the story.
Marvel and DC should take note quickly.
It's the best action film of the year in what I'd describe as "superheroes meet Hong Kong action films meet the Matrix meets the Avengers and that T2 supercop meets Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon." Yet, somehow it's something brand new.
It's also the musical of the year. Seriously. Bollywood meets the West Side Story Jet Sharks dance-off meets Les Miz meets something entirely original.
All of this above, yet it was played with conviction by the two Tollywood superstars; I was genuinely moved. As a warning, it is violent. It is an emotion-driven film built around a revolution started by aggressive oppression (both seen on screen), so it is bloody and heart-breaking in places. If you can get past an early horrifying scene with, perhaps your hands in front of your eyes, you'll realize it's worth it. Perhaps you'll be as invested as I am in seeing how the revolution plays out.
Like Star Wars, Pulp Fiction, T2 and Toy Story for me, it is next-level. Watching this film, I feel like cinema skipped to the next beat and I can't wait to see what it inspires. I hope RRR garners Oscar attention and returns to the theaters. I'd love to see this one on the big screen with a crowd. EncoRRRe, please!
In a nutshell: Exhilarating. Bursting with action, wild animals, showdowns, musical numbers and originality, RRR earns its three-hour running time. You won't be bored for a second.
It's the best action film of the year in what I'd describe as "superheroes meet Hong Kong action films meet the Matrix meets the Avengers and that T2 supercop meets Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon." Yet, somehow it's something brand new.
It's also the musical of the year. Seriously. Bollywood meets the West Side Story Jet Sharks dance-off meets Les Miz meets something entirely original.
All of this above, yet it was played with conviction by the two Tollywood superstars; I was genuinely moved. As a warning, it is violent. It is an emotion-driven film built around a revolution started by aggressive oppression (both seen on screen), so it is bloody and heart-breaking in places. If you can get past an early horrifying scene with, perhaps your hands in front of your eyes, you'll realize it's worth it. Perhaps you'll be as invested as I am in seeing how the revolution plays out.
Like Star Wars, Pulp Fiction, T2 and Toy Story for me, it is next-level. Watching this film, I feel like cinema skipped to the next beat and I can't wait to see what it inspires. I hope RRR garners Oscar attention and returns to the theaters. I'd love to see this one on the big screen with a crowd. EncoRRRe, please!
In a nutshell: Exhilarating. Bursting with action, wild animals, showdowns, musical numbers and originality, RRR earns its three-hour running time. You won't be bored for a second.
Award potential: While not eligible for the Best International Feature Oscar, it is a contender for Best Non-English language film (Golden Globes). Fingers crossed the Academy sees it and considers Best Picture, Director, Actors and Screenplay. The song Naatu Naatu recently became the first Indian song to make the Oscar's shortlist for Best Original Song — hopefully, a nomination into the top five follows.
Where to watch: Netflix shows the Hindu-dubbed version. I used the subtitles in the settings. There are optional dubs in English and other languages.
The Ten Buck Review: Worth ten bucks.
The Ten Buck Review: Worth ten bucks.
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