BOTTOM LINE
Appeals Despite Issues
OUR RATING
2.75/5
CENSOR
UA
What Is the Film About?
Shiva (Ranbir Kapoor) is a regular guy making a living as a DJ. However, he has strange dreams and reactions related to fire. When that is not the case, he has a love story with Isha (Alia Bhatt), a girl from a rich background.
Meanwhile, Junoon (Mouni Roy) is coming after three different personalities possessing a piece of an anklet. The combined power of the three pieces will yield an immense power that could end the world.
How do Shiva and Junoon cross paths? Does Shiva stop the evil plans of Junoon is the movie’s overall plot.
Performances
Ranbir Kapoor plays Shiva which is a mixture of routine and something new. The former involves a love story and romantic interaction with a love interest. The latter sees him in an action avatar trying to do some larger-than-life stuff.
Usually, Ranbir’s strength is his romantic persona and chemistry with the heroines. However, he appears bland and jaded in that aspect in Brahmastra. The love story with Alia Bhatt is among his weakest work in that space due to writing.
Coming to the other side, it is good to see Ranbir Kapoor in heroic stuff. But, the personality doesn’t match the character’s actions on screen. It looks weak and lacks the commanding, powerful presence usually associated with heroes doing such stuff. Still, it is better than the romantic track, and there is a visible effort. He aces the dramatic portions and manages to hold things together despite the apparent minuses. It makes Brahmastra a good attempt at breaking out from his routine image. However, a lot of work still needs to be done.
Alia Bhatt plays the usual romantic interest part of the story. It is a routine role that is done with ease. Besides it, she doesn’t have much to do ‘acting wise’ that would impress anyone. It is irrespective of her screen time.
Analysis
Ayan Mukerji of Wake Up Sid and Yeh Jawani Hai Diwani fame directs Brahmastra. One look at those films, and it will be clear that it’s the biggest film of her career, chartering an entirely different territory.
However, the beginning, followed by the cameo block, sets things up perfectly. It makes it clear that the director is in command and knows the world that he attempts to create. Despite the true ‘desi’ universe and ‘Astras’ and ‘Shastras’, the foreign inspirations can’t be missed, though.
Unfortunately, after what looked like an excellent beginning, Brahmastra goes downhill. It is frankly surprising because it is the director’s strength. His previous two outings worked well on that score.
The romantic track between Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt is ordinary and weakest from Ayan. The writing is mainly to blame here as it lacks the spark and magic.
While all the romance happens, there are ominous signs related to the ‘Astras’ in between, which continues to intrigue. Things get back on track at the pre-interval and interval.
The second half maintains the momentum taking us further into the myths related to the universe. Here a sense of bloating comes into the narrative as too much stuff is packed too soon. Then there are bit incorporated to lead to the sequels lined up ahead.
It is a heady cocktail of mythos and special effects. They are unique, interesting and hold attention. But, at the same time, they are overdone. The action, too, lacks a big impact even though there are good parts. That they stay at the ‘good’ level shows the inexperience of the director. The uneven narrative and lack of ‘big’ high points are the real undoings.
By the time one reaches the end, a feeling of tiredness sets in. Too much happens to leave little scope to process and have an emotional connection. Choppy editing doesn’t help the cause, either.
Overall, Brahmastra is an ambitious effort that works when the narrative sticks to its core strength, the ‘Astra’ universe. The bland romance and length tire, but with expectations firmly under check, the setting and the plot give enough to make it a decent one-time watch.
Performances by Others Actors
Brahmastra has the presence of many notable names but in extended cameos. We have the likes of Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, and Akkineni Nagarjuna play those roles. They are short parts but impressive nonetheless.
Shah Rukh Khan is superb with a magnetic presence. He makes one wish that there were more to his part. Nagarjuna, on the other hand, has a role that suits his age and personality, hence decent. The legend Amitabh Bachchan has a significantly longer run time than the other two. He guides us through the narrative like only he can with his arresting dialogue delivery. Big B is key to the audience understanding the movie’s universe.
Mouni Roy plays the biggest role of her career theatrically. She’s the villain here. She pulls off the part adequately, more so because she has to toe the line with the biggest names. There is confidence, and it helps her stand her ground. The rest of the cast has bits and pieces roles that are alright.
Music and Other Departments?
Pritam’s standalone songs are a mixed bag, with ‘Kesariya’ standing out of the lot easily. The remaining are not in the same league. Simon Granglen’s background score is exceptionally generic, with mostly loud noises. There is a big bang sound in typical style whenever some significant event occurs. Nothing is memorable.
Multiple people handle the cinematography, which is due to the long delay in the making of the movie. It creates a visibly different look at times. Prakash Kurup’s editing is weak. The narrative has a bloated feeling, and the end especially looks choppy. The writing should have been better in the love track. The visual effects are overdone. Some parts look fine, but overall they lack the big wow factor, especially when done at such a level.
Highlights?
Story
Ranbir Kapoor
Second Half
Cameos
Drawbacks?
Uneven Narrative
Ordinary Love Story
Missing Emotional Connection
Did I Enjoy It?
Yes, in parts
Will You Recommend It?
Yes, but with reservations
Brahmastra Movie Review by M9News
Final Report:
Brahmastra starts excellently but slips into ordinariness with a prolonged love story until the interval.
The second half is better with a focus on the story. The VFX is overdone but unique. It makes the movie overall a decent one-time watch if the expectations are in check.
— How the multiple pieces of Astra are connected and how it can destroy the world is explained. The movie is heading to the climax.
First Half Report:
Brahmastra’s first half has an ordinary love story. The special effects are poor. Despite the issues, one is intrigued by the core plot and looks forward to seeing what happens in the second half.
— Nag introduced as Anish Shetty, an artist working at a heritage site in Varanasi. His connection to Brahmansh is yet to be unfolded.
— It’s a love at first sight for Ranbir when he meets Alia. The love track is on.
— Brahmāstra show started with a brief narrative of the super power. The story quickly shifts into modern day world Mumbai.
Brahmastra USA Premiere report shortly, stay tuned!