Adipurush Movie Review: A Spectacular Epic with Flaws

Adipurush Movie Review 2023: Adipurush, the much-awaited magnum opus from Om Raut, finally hit the theaters on Friday. Adipurush is a 2023 Indian mythological film based on the Hindu epic Ramayana. The film is written and directed by Om Raut and produced by T-Series and Retrophiles. Shot simultaneously in Hindi and Telugu, the film stars Prabhas as Raghava (Lord Rama), Kriti Sanon as Janaki (Sita), Saif Ali Khan as Lankesh (Ravana), Sunny Singh as Shesh (Lakshmana) and Devdutta Nage as Bajrang (Hanuman).

Adipurush is a retelling of the Ramayana epic, but with a modern twist. The film is set in a fictional world where gods and demons coexist. The film follows the journey of Raghava, the prince of Ayodhya, who travels to Lanka with his brother Shesh and Bajrang’s army to rescue his wife Janaki, who has been abducted by Lankesh, the demon king of Lanka. The film depicts the triumph of good over evil and the values of dharma, courage and devotion.

The Good

• The film boasts of stunning visuals and high production values. The film is one of the most expensive Indian films ever made, with a budget of ₹500 crore (US$63 million). The film uses advanced technology and visual effects to create a realistic and immersive world of ancient India and Lanka. The film also features some spectacular action sequences and battles that keep the audience on the edge of their seats.
• The film has a stellar cast that delivers impressive performances. Prabhas looks the part of Raghava and portrays his character with grace and dignity. He conveys the inner turmoil of a man who has to uphold his duty and virtue in the face of adversity. Kriti Sanon is a beautiful and graceful Janaki, who embodies the strength and purity of Sita. She shares a lovely chemistry with Prabhas and their scenes are heartwarming. Saif Ali Khan steals the show as Lankesh, the antagonist of the film. He plays the role with flair and charisma, making him a formidable and complex villain. He invokes fear, hatred and anger in the audience, but also manages to look beastly at times. Sunny Singh is a loyal and brave Shesh, who supports his brother throughout his ordeal. Devdutta Nage is a powerful and playful Bajrang, who adds humor and emotion to the film.
• The film has a captivating soundtrack and score composed by Ajay-Atul. The songs are catchy and melodious, blending well with the mood and theme of the film. The background score is epic and grand, enhancing the impact of the scenes.

The Bad

• The film suffers from a weak direction and screenplay by Om Raut. The film fails to capture the essence and depth of the Ramayana, reducing it to a black-and-white retelling of the story. The film lacks nuance and subtlety, making it seem superficial and simplistic. The film also has many logical flaws and inconsistencies that hamper the narrative flow.
• The film has poor dialogues that are clichéd and corny. The dialogues do not match the tone and style of the film, making it seem awkward and unnatural. The dialogues also fail to convey the emotions and motivations of the characters, making them seem flat and one-dimensional.
• The film has bad VFX / CGI that are inconsistent and unconvincing. The film relies heavily on visual effects to create its world, but they are not up to the mark. Some scenes look realistic and stunning, while others look fake and amateurish. The VFX / CGI also clash with the cinematography and art design of the film, making it seem disjointed and incoherent.

The Verdict

Adipurush is a spectacular epic that tries to recreate the magic of Ramayana on screen, but falls short due to its flaws. The film has amazing visuals, performances, music and action, but lacks direction, script, dialogues and VFX / CGI. The film is a visual treat for fans of Prabhas and Saif Ali Khan, but may disappoint those who are looking for a faithful and nuanced adaptation of Ramayana.

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Adipurush Movie Rating

Adipurush is a 2023 Indian film based on Ramayana. It has a 7.0/10 rating on IMDb and 2.5/5 from a critic review. The film has mixed to negative reviews. Prabhas and Saif Ali Khan are praised, but the VFX, dialogues, direction and screenplay are criticised. The film is very expensive, with a budget of ₹500 crore (US$63 million).

Conclusion

Adipurush is a visually stunning film with some impressive action sequences and performances. However, it is let down by its weak direction, screenplay, and VFX. Overall, Adipurush is a mixed bag that may appeal to fans of Prabhas and Saif Ali Khan, but may disappoint those looking for a faithful and nuanced adaptation of the Ramayana.