Animal : Ranbir Kapoor's Redemption

I watched Animal on 2nd of December and both Sandeep Reddy Vanga (SRV) and Ranbir Kapoor (RK) have killed it together.

You can watch my review on my YouTube channel as well by clicking here. (Animal Review)

This review is in sync with my video that I have already uploaded on my channel APs world of Cinema. So, do check it.

Let’s jump into the review.

1) Action and The Interval Block

Action and violence is the USP (Unique Selling Point) of this film but it doesn't even constitute 30 minutes of the entire film's duration. The entire block has the most authentic and realistic action I have seen in the Indian film history with people wearing headphones and proper underwear to support the action choreography which is fast-paced but not laggy or dodgy. The hallway scene might be an ode to Old Boy (2003) but this is way superior than that. I guess, it is safe to say that the “Hallway Fight Scene Crown" goes to Vanga for redefining what Park Chan-Wook did in Old Boy (2003) 

One thing about this movie is the physics aspect that has been kept intact whenever action scenes are shown. The Machine gun or Gatling gun that has been crafted in real life to resemble a bike so that the recoil of the gun can be distributed evenly is shown beautifully. It's unlike those movies (Pathaan, Tiger Zinda Hai) where the main protagonist is firing a machine gun as if it's a plastic vibrator.

Vanga has definitely read and understood basic physics. The realistic approach wherein even our protagonist Ranvijay becomes deaf because of so much firing and has fatal gun wounds and needs to undergo a heart surgery is what movies lack nowadays. This approach needs to be appreciated especially since it is coming from a Telugu director, directing a pan India film.

The post-credit scene although may look stomach churning and some people may become squirmish but it leads to two things

1.  A Buildup or a Setup for the Sequel

2.  A Personal Message to the Audience as well as the Critics

Once the post-credit scene is done, the screen cuts to the black and white scene from the beginning where Ranbir Kapoor comes in an old Avatar and sends a message to his critics. This scene then cuts to “The Film by Sandeep Reddy Vanga”

This is Vanga’s style of saying you didn't like the film but you know what it is my film so you can suck it.

Moving on to the 3^rd point.

3) The Actors and their Characters

To begin with Ranbir's character as we all know is obsessed with his father but it's the character in general that is flawed. He is strong mentally, emotionally and physically; not by choice but because of the circumstances. In the beginning itself you see how he goes to his elder sister's college with a gun because someone ragged her. He took it upon himself that in the absence of his father he is the next in line to be the man of the house. Now, I know there are problems with the character, no doubt just like Kabir Singh and Arjun Reddy but Ranvijay takes it a step further.

We have seen self-harm and toxicity in Kabir Singh and Arjun Reddy but here we see murders, gun violence and massive destruction as if it's a normal day in the park for Ranvijay. The shades of this character couldn't have been greyer than this. I must admit that an A-lister actor in today's day and age would have thought 100 times before accepting this role.

Kudos to Ranbir Kapoor for taking this as a challenge and giving a career best performance.

I guess he's made for such Larger-than-Life roles.

Next, we have Abrar Haque played by Bobby Deol.

Bobby's character is what made me intrigued as it was kept under the wraps but his screen time is hardly 10 to 15 minutes in a 3hours 21minute film.

But I have to admit whenever he's on screen he steals the show. His intro scene with Jamal Kudu playing in the background has to be one of the biggest Indian cinematic intros.

We usually see that the character introductions are always over-the-top and massy but here his intro is in a wedding where he's dancing and indulging in debauchery.

Also, it leads to him killing someone brutally during the wedding.

I genuinely liked Tripti Dimri’s character as Zoya. Although, it was quite clear that she was lying but somehow her presence and Vishal Mishra's “Pehle Bhi Main” playing in the background made me

convinced for some time that maybe she isn't a part of the big picture. It's just love and not an Abbas-Mustan film.

Some might say that the scenes or the entire role of Zoya could have been cut short or eliminated entirely and in my honest opinion, it does deviate a little bit from the story line but nevertheless it's a part of the film and we have to accept it.

Rashmika Mandanna has done Justice to whatever screen time was given to her. Her audio was shockingly clear and there was no need for subtitles but I wouldn't mind if I had subtitles.

She delivers with whatever role she has been given but nothing extraordinary.

Anil Kapoor might be one of the most natural actors as he is the only one who portrays the role of Balbir Singh effortlessly. I guess he does have a lot of experience of being a father. Also, his character is not flawed. He depicts the normal Indian father who loves their kid but will not openly say it or accept it until it's too late.

4) Engaging First Half and Slow-Burning 2nd Half

We all knew that Vanga is directing a movie which is bigger than his previous flick. So, it is impossible to find problematic scenes. Although, I enjoyed most of them, I could see a sense of relatability with the character when those scenes came on screen which might be a problem.

The first half was very well edited with jump cuts of past and present. You don't even understand how the first half has ended especially the interval block but second half Mellows down by continuing in one single Pace without any jump cuts.

At times it does lose its momentum but it doesn't become boring or laggy. The entire duration to some extent is Justified and I would like to see the extended cut that will be released on Netflix.

5) Re-Watchability

Like I had said in my trailer review, Kabir Singh and Arjun Reddy both had a re-watchability aspect and so does animal. I had mixed feelings after the movie ended but I guess if I rewatch it once, I would be able to wrap my head around it. There is a certain sense of closure that I expected but didn't get and that's my only grouse. The ending confrontational scenes between Ranbir Kapoor and Anil Kapoor should have hit me harder than it did but I guess another rewatch should solve that problem.

So, I'll be waiting for its digital release hoping that it is the infamous Extended Cut

6) Music Placement

I have said it once but I'll repeat it again “Arjan Vailly” during the interval block is one of the most appropriate song placements I have ever seen.

“Hua Main” is also placed perfectly but “Pehle Bhi Main” might be the winner.

“Papa Meri Jaan” is the greatest lyrical piece I have heard in a long time that to sung so beautifully by Sonu Nigam.

What left me baffled was the placing of “Saari Duniya Jalaa Denge” during the climax fight scene. It didn't look out of place but it didn't necessarily add any emotional value to both the song or the scene.

“Haiwaan” played during the recruiting of soldiers which were his cousins felt forced and something nuanced and less cliched could have been added. Although, that scene depicts the respect that Ranbir had for his cousins whom he has not met for so many years and the same is reciprocated by his cousins as well.

I would happily give this movie 4.5 out of five stars for its Execution, Acting, Direction and Music.

Cutting half star for the Screenplay which could have been cut short at some places but that's my opinion.

After the magnanimous success of Animal, I’m eagerly waiting for Spirit to see what Vanga and Prabhas will cook together.

 

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