Michael Movie ReviewBOTTOM LINE
All Style No Substance

OUR RATING
2/5

CENSOR
U/A, 2h 3m


Sundeep_Kishan_Michael_Telugu_Movie_ReviewWhat Is the Film About?
Guru, aka Gurunath (Gautham Vasudev Menon), saves Michael (Sundeep Kishan) as a kid and raises him as one of his men. He turns out to be his most priced asset as gangster work comes naturally to him. This does not go well with Amarnadh (Varun Sandesh), who is always sidelined. 

One day when Guru is attacked, Michael is tasked with finding the people behind it. Who are the attackers? The real reason for Michael’s growth in ranks forms the movie’s core plot.

Performances
Sundeep Kishan plays an emerging gangster in the movie. He has gone with a toned chiselled body look for the same. While the physical effort is appreciable, unfortunately, it doesn’t help him overcome the issues at the script level.

The character is too heavy for a young hero like Sundeep Kishan. The depth and gravitas required to make the elevations believable are missing as a result. There is the body, but the body language needed to pull off an epic role is missing. The effort is there, and one has to appreciate it, but it isn’t enough for the part.

Divyansha Kaushik is okay. She is lucky to get a role that is integral to the narrative and also requires a certain kind of screen presence. Divyansha is decent in them, but again it fails to go to the next level to make it memorable.


Analysis
Ranjit Jeyakodi directs Michael. It is a gangster action drama set in the nineties. The backdrop and the casting make the movie exciting.  

The movie begins on a promising note. The visuals wow us, and so do the making and the setting. However, as we get into the core story, the issues with the movie become apparent. 

The basic plot of Michael is an age-old gangster drama. Don has two upcoming gangsters under him, one being his son. The usual jealousy track and the heroic act on the other end leading to the conflict are done to death variety in the space. We have seen it many times before, and visuals are not enough to overcome it. 

Even the interval bang twist can be seen miles away. It is nothing new, and the makers, too, seem to realise it, but instead of freshening up in content, they do the same in form. So we have a stylish-looking package, but the contents inside are the same old gangster drama cliches. 

Still, one looks forward to the second half, mainly because of the casting. The prospects of watching Vijay Sethupathi, Varalaxmi Sarahkumar etc., make it possible. However, even they fail to give a boost to the proceedings. The block featuring them is dull and lacks impact. In fact, it is the same case throughout. 

It all starts with the director trying hard to make us buy Sundeep Kishan as the dreaded gangster. It never happens, and the elevations fall flat as he isn’t there yet in terms of the screen age and persona. The character feels too big for him. 

The ending, therefore, seems like a perfect fit even though very routine. It shows Michael for what he is really and not how he is portrayed. But, one lost interest a long time ago by that time. It’s one thing to set a tale in the nineties, but another to redo a story from the era without any upgrade. 

Overall, Michael is the definition of style without substance. It goes on and on exploring a predictable gangster drama story offering nothing but slick visuals. If you like the genre, give it a try for the fantastic technical work, and that’s it.


Vijay_Sethupathi_Michael_Telugu_Movie_ReviewPerformances by Others Actors
Michael is filled with many known faces playing supporting roles. Vijay Septhupathi, Varun Sandesh, Gautam Vasudev Menon, Varalaxmi Sarathkumar, and Anasuya immediately come to mind. And there are more. 
Vijay Sethupathi’s terrific screen presence is put to use here. But, with a hollow character, there is only so much he can do. The dragging in his block further dents the actor’s part. He is paired with Varalaxmi Sarathkumar, who has a forgettable role. Anasuya, too, is seen in a key but poorly etched role. 

The actors who get meaty parts are Varun Sandesh and Gautham Vasudev Menon. The former appears after a long gap in a major film, playing a significant role. The retro look and all are well designed, and Varun Sandesh does well in small dramatic moments. However, whenever he has to show fierceness or aggression, the actor goes overboard, overdoing the required emotion. It exposes the weakness. 

And finally, the real hero of the film is Gautham Vasudev Menon. His character, presence and runtime feel bigger than the lead and are well done. Gautham Menon owns and lives the part, making one interested in the proceedings intermittently. The rest of the cast is okay.


Music and Other Departments?
Sam CS’s music is alright, but he delivers with the background score. It enhances the overall appeal and mood of the flick. Technically the movie is slick, and none other than the cinematographer Kiran Koushik’s work highlights it. The production values are also good. R Sathyanarayanan’s editing could have been better, though. The movie needs to be tighter. The writing is par for the course. 


Highlights?
Technical Values
Cinematography
BGM, In Parts 

Drawbacks?
Predictable And Old Storyline
Lack Of Substance
Editing
Weak Characterisations


Gautham_Menon_Michael_Telugu_Movie_ReviewDid I Enjoy It?
Very few parts

Will You Recommend It?
Yes, but with huge reservations

Michael Movie 2023 Review by M9News


Michael Movie Review

Final Report:

Michael comes with visible excellent technical work. However, it falters where it matters the most – the story. It comes across as an age-old one that drags endlessly with stylish wrapping.

First Half Report:

Michael has an exciting 90s backdrop and terrific visuals aided with moments of brilliance in BGM. But, the core element of ‘story’ lacks a similar impact and leaves much to be desired. A lot depends on the second half now to see whether things improve.

— Michael takes off in the mid 90s backdrop. The crime and raise of Michael is being established.

Stay tuned for Michael Review, U.S. Premiere report shortly.

Cast – Sundeep Kishan, Vijay Sethupathi, Divyansha kaushik, Gautham Menon, Varun Sandesh, Ayyappa Sharma, Anasuya, Varalaxmi Sarathkumar

Banner – Karan C Productions LLP & Sree Venkateswara Cinemas LLP
Producer name – Bharath Chowdary / Puskur Ram Mohan Rao
Story, Screenplay, Director – Ranjit Jeyakodi
Music Director – Sam CS
DOP – Kiran Koushik
Dialogues – Kalyana Chakravarthy Tripuraneni
Editor – R. Sathyanarayanan
ART – Gandhi Nadikudikar
Stunts – Dinesh Kasi
Music Composed, Arranged and Programmedby – SAM CS

Michael Movie 2023 Review by M9News