Kanguva Movie Review

Star Cast: Suriya, Disha Patani, Bobby Deol, Yogi Babu
Director: Siva
Review Rating: ⭐⭐(2/5)

Script Analysis:

Kanguva struggles with a shoddy screenplay that fails to tie together its grand ambitions. While the lavish sets, costumes, and action sequences show promise, the film falters in its present-day narrative (2024), which is riddled with cringe-worthy comedic attempts and weak parallels between the past and present.

The reincarnation theme, though intriguing, is marred by logical loopholes and melodrama, especially during the climax. The love and sacrifice depicted in Kanguva and Puruva’s relationship lack emotional depth. Subplots involving Roman conquerors and Russian experimentation remain underdeveloped, adding unnecessary clutter to an already overburdened narrative.

Star Performance:

Suriya shines as Kanguva, portraying valor and vulnerability with finesse. However, his performance as Francis is let down by weak writing and awkward comedic lines. Bobby Deol tries to bring intensity to his role but ends up being underutilized, often coming across as overly loud and theatrical.

Yogi Babu’s humor fails to hit the mark, while Disha Patani’s character feels entirely unnecessary. Her chemistry with Suriya, particularly in the misplaced ‘YOLO’ song, feels forced and awkward. The child actor playing Zeta/Puruva delivers a noteworthy performance, adding a rare emotional connection to the story.

Direction and Music:

Director Siva’s execution lacks consistency. While a few action sequences, like Suriya’s fight with a crocodile, stand out, the overall direction leans too heavily on loud, melodramatic moments.

Devi Sri Prasad’s music offers highs with tracks like the title song and ‘Mannipu.’ However, the background score often becomes overwhelming, detracting from the film’s impact. The art direction, costumes, and cinematography provide visual splendor but cannot compensate for the narrative shortcomings.

The Last Word:

Kanguva had all the elements to be a cinematic marvel, from a massive 300 crore+ budget to Suriya’s compelling performance. However, its potential is squandered by poor writing, illogical plot developments, and excessive melodrama. The setup for a sequel teases possibilities but fails to ignite genuine excitement.

Verdict: A visually grand but narratively disappointing spectacle. Watch it only for Suriya’s brilliance in an otherwise noisy saga.