Allu Arjun's Gajapokkiri [Julai] - Exclusive Movie Review

Directed by     Trivikram Srinivas

Produced by     S. Radha Krishna
D.V.V. Danayya
Redakh Arts [Malayalam]

Story,  Screenplay    Trivikram Srinivas

Starring     

Allu Arjun
Ileana D'Cruz
Rajendra Prasad
Sonu Sood

Music by     Devi Sri Prasad
Cinematography     Chota K. Naidu, Shyam K. Naidu

Editing by     Prawin Pudi
Studio     Haarika & Hassine Creations

Distributed by    Redakh ArtsFicus Inc.

Release date         August 17, 2012

Running time     160 minutes

Country     India
Language     Malayalam [Dub]

Its after 1 year 2 months and 7 days [as the posters say] a Mallu arjun film is releasing in Kerala. Also Positive reports which the original Telugu version 'Julai' got raised the expectations. Allu Arjun has got a huge fan following among youth of Kerala, which is evident from the way each of his films open in Kerala. Huge Excitement was there among the fans as the last 3 ventures of the star were flops here.

Plot

The story is a revenge saga between Bittu (Sonu Sood) & Ravindra Narayan (Allu Arjun), whose paths cross during a bank robbery which Bittu is doing for  Political Leader Varada Raj (Kota Srinivasa Rao). Both men are looking for revenge and the rest of the story is the cat & mouse game between Bittu & Ravi. Illeana plays his love interest, Rajendra Prasad, Brahmanandam etc forms the rest of the cast.

First of all, the film is very much a watchable entertainer, especially when compared to last few films of Allu (Vedam was ruined by the Kerala Producer/Distributor.)

The character of Ravi, a happy go lucky guy, was tailor made for Allu Arjun, kind of role that made him famous here and he did full justice to the rule. Its an out an out Allu Arjun film. Rajendra Prasad was terrific as ACP Sitaram. Brahmanandam, R.Prasad, Allu Combo literally brought the entire house down in many occasions. 

The movie is more of an intellectual thriller/comedy/revenge type rather than the usual telugu mass films with heavy doss action & massy punch lines

The Dubbing was really good, as always Redakh Arts invested lot of money & effort to make it look like a Malayalam movie, which is a great relief. They have even changed the name boards, slogans, posters, wordss etc written in Telugu, seen in the movie here and there, to Malayalam digitally.

The Songs were good, but too many of them proved to be speed breaker. Choreography was good even though not terrific, expected some jaw droppig moves bay Allu. Editing was crisp. Visuals looked fresh kudos to cameraman, Trivikrams Direction was ok. 

The lyrics of the songs were too bad, to attain lip sync they compromised on quality.

The Script even though pretty much entertaining for most of the time and moves in rocket speed, has plenty of holes, more than what you find in a fisherman's net. Many action sequences were not just illogical, but downright ridiculous. The movie loses steam towards climax and director looked desperate to finish the movie some how. There are plenty of 'How the hell did he ....? moments in the film. But the biggest disappoinment was Illeana, in her chakkar to enter & sustain in Bollywood she lose lot of weight and looked anorexic. Lost all her charm, even the famous hips failed to do any magic, her role was half baked and she did an average job too.

So all in all GP is a one time watch and a perfect entertainer for Allu Arjun fans.

Verdict: Above Average

Rating 2.75/5

Box Office: - Film is getting mixed response, so should be above average or Hit at max

Eecha - Exclusive Movie Review from Kerala 3.75/5

Directed by S S Rajamouli 

Produced by Sai Korrapati (Telugu) Prasad V. Potluri (Tamil) 

Written by S. S. Rajamouli Janardhan Maharshi Crazy Mohan (Tamil) 

Starring Sudeep Nani Samantha 

Music by M. M. Keeravani

Cinematography K. K. Senthil Kumar 

Editing by Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao 

Studio Suresh Productions Vaaraahi Chalana Chitram (Telugu) PVP Cinema (Tamil)

 Distributed by 14 Reels Entertainment

Release date(s) July 6, 2012 

Running time 133 minutes 

Country India

 Language Malayalam [Dub]

Eecha – The Fly

Eecha is the Malayalam Dub of Telugu Tamil Bi-lingual Naan E/Eega. The Film has been dubbed from the Tamil version.

 Expectations

Expectations were high among those who watch Telugu movies & those who have heard about SS Rajamouli, the Maghadheera director.  Rajamouli is the Shankar of Tollywood with no flops so far & all his films turning out to be Blockbusters. With Magadheera he raised the bar to a next level. So much excitement was there to see what has he done this time. The title of the movie also gave rise to curiosity among people.

Story

Is a simple revenge story that we have seen many times before in Indian cinema. Hero in love with heroine, Villain also in love with the Heroine, Villain eliminate hero, hero is reborn as ‘Eecha’ (Fly), Tries to get his revenge. Will he succeed, what happens to the heroine forms the rest of the story.

It’s an out an out Rajamouli film. His dreams, his vision & passion is clearly visible in the film. Even though a simple story the narration makes the film worth every single penny of yours. It’s not a serious movie, it’s a fun movie suited more for the families and especially Kids.  The  animation is top notch, VFX works are very good matching Hollywood standards. Performances are also good. Sudeep did an excellent job as the villain; the scenes where the fly troubles him are outstandingly enacted by the Kannada Super star where he has to imagine the fly attacking him and act, it’s hard to believe that there was no fly there. Nani has a cameo length role, Samantha looked pretty and did a decent job, Music was good, so as the Background.

The Fly will be loved by kids for sure, the things that it do are sure to bring down the house. It’s a perfect treat for the entire family by Rajamouli – Its rip roaring fun

Positives

Rajamouli

VFX, Animation

Entertaining Script

Sudeep

Scenes between the fly & sudip

Music, Background

Camera & Editing
Eecha Item number @ the end 
Santhanam Comedy track [even though unnecessary]

Negatives

Dubbing

Ages old story of Revenge

Verdict

Go with your Family & Have a blast- you will love this Fly & the next time you try to kill one Eecha you will definitely think twice

Rating

3.75/5

Box Office - Blockbuster in AP, Above Average in Kerala, Super Hit in TN

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