Well! I just finished watching this and was completely taken by surprise by something I didn't think I would enjoy at all.
I'd never heard of this movie, not seen trailers and had no preconceptions about it. It unfolded into one of my favourite films of 2024. Having watched Gozilla 1.0 yesterday I think I'm on a roll.
Dev Patal really does a great job with his debut direction and as a action star I was blown away by his ability. There has been some great work on the fight choreography, but physically he's quite dynamic and the on-screen presence he's displayed in the past really comes to the fore.
The screenplay doesn't really offer anything new, but it does deliver it with a slice of fresh lemon, an unfamiliar and intriguing backdrop, and in a powerfully effective manner. That is not to say there are not some issue with the how things are potrayed. I found his personal journey and that of the political and corporate exploitation the movie portrays lacking cohesion, particually in through first and second parts of the movie. There really needed some tightening up here as it makes the story somewhat irratic and even a little difficult to digest. I found myself replaying parts in my head whiles things unfolded as my brain searched for anchors of consistency to hold the story-line together, and this is never a good thing. There needed to be a more substatial bond between the various aspects of the story to bind the theme together more effectively.
Additionally though Patels Character has a mamoth awakening and progression through the timeline, the other characters much less so. Even though we are on a couple of occasions lead to believe they might, it never happens at all. Certainly there was ample opportunity to have more substance and development with at least a few of the lesser roles, but sadly this didn't materialise. What we have is a very one dimensional film in relation to the players on the chessboard. Having said this, it wasn't so much of a distraction that it interfered with my enjoyment of the movie, but in reflection and in writing this. It does stand out as quite a significant shortcoming.
The movie is a little long and I if I had to guess I'd wager some of what wasn't cut, was done in favour of some of what should have been cut, which may very well be why the lack of character development is noticable.
All that said the movie was still very enjoyable and is certainly one I'll watch again, which is always a good sign. I can imagine there will be some John Wick comparisons and this is a tribute to how well the movie does some of the fight scenes, but there is a lot more going on here.
Great acting and directional debut from Dev Patal, and in fact the whole cast gives a solid delivery. I think Patel will learn from this one and up-game with coming endevours, but a word in his ear on the notes I've made would have gone a long way to making this an epic production instead of just a really good one.
Still I'm giving it 8/10 because that is how much I enjoyed it when I watched it.
I'd never heard of this movie, not seen trailers and had no preconceptions about it. It unfolded into one of my favourite films of 2024. Having watched Gozilla 1.0 yesterday I think I'm on a roll.
Dev Patal really does a great job with his debut direction and as a action star I was blown away by his ability. There has been some great work on the fight choreography, but physically he's quite dynamic and the on-screen presence he's displayed in the past really comes to the fore.
The screenplay doesn't really offer anything new, but it does deliver it with a slice of fresh lemon, an unfamiliar and intriguing backdrop, and in a powerfully effective manner. That is not to say there are not some issue with the how things are potrayed. I found his personal journey and that of the political and corporate exploitation the movie portrays lacking cohesion, particually in through first and second parts of the movie. There really needed some tightening up here as it makes the story somewhat irratic and even a little difficult to digest. I found myself replaying parts in my head whiles things unfolded as my brain searched for anchors of consistency to hold the story-line together, and this is never a good thing. There needed to be a more substatial bond between the various aspects of the story to bind the theme together more effectively.
Additionally though Patels Character has a mamoth awakening and progression through the timeline, the other characters much less so. Even though we are on a couple of occasions lead to believe they might, it never happens at all. Certainly there was ample opportunity to have more substance and development with at least a few of the lesser roles, but sadly this didn't materialise. What we have is a very one dimensional film in relation to the players on the chessboard. Having said this, it wasn't so much of a distraction that it interfered with my enjoyment of the movie, but in reflection and in writing this. It does stand out as quite a significant shortcoming.
The movie is a little long and I if I had to guess I'd wager some of what wasn't cut, was done in favour of some of what should have been cut, which may very well be why the lack of character development is noticable.
All that said the movie was still very enjoyable and is certainly one I'll watch again, which is always a good sign. I can imagine there will be some John Wick comparisons and this is a tribute to how well the movie does some of the fight scenes, but there is a lot more going on here.
Great acting and directional debut from Dev Patal, and in fact the whole cast gives a solid delivery. I think Patel will learn from this one and up-game with coming endevours, but a word in his ear on the notes I've made would have gone a long way to making this an epic production instead of just a really good one.
Still I'm giving it 8/10 because that is how much I enjoyed it when I watched it.
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