Kalki 2898 AD Review - RIB07

-

Kalki 2898 AD Review

Disclaimer: I watched this dubbed in Hindi and subbed in English at my local theater. I have a very cursory knowledge of the Mahabharata, which is important to the plot but you don’t really need to know it to understand or enjoy the movie. This review will not contain spoilers.

TLDR: This movie is action packed and a visual spectacle unlike nearly anything in Indian cinema. The plot falters a bit but a proper suspension of disbelief on the viewer’s part can lead to a very enjoyable and expansive action film.

        Kalki 2898 AD is a very interesting film. The cast is star studded and the set design is really something to behold, but an over reliance on stereotypical sci-fi tropes and flimsy worldbuilding in a 3 hour long movie brings the spectacle down just a bit. A lot of other reviews comment on the fact that the first half, which is filled with more exposition, is slower than the action-packed second half, and indeed the theater showing I went to had a lot more people enter the screening only after the intermission. I wouldn’t blame anyone for skipping the first half, although I do have to say that it really adds to the characterization and drama of the movie. Not to mention that this is supposed to be the first movie in a wider cinematic universe revolving around Hindu scriptures, so if you plan on watching those I think you should give the beginning the attention it deserves, I actually prefer the first half myself.

        The characters, humor, and action are all there. The big climactic battle is a little disappointing but I can’t blame the director for the approach he took, it also does a good job of setting up the viewer for whatever follows in the wider Kalki Cinematic Universe and I will totally be watching what comes next.

        I wouldn’t call the plot itself weak, but the world building leaves a lot to be desired. The film plays off a sort of post-apocalyptic dystopian trope and if you try to think about the logic behind how the big bad evil guy built his empire you’ll find a chasm of questions that won’t be answered. The villains themselves are lame as hell, they could have done a much better job with the casting or special effects because they look lame and are not compelling in the slightest, but the cyberpunk city where so much of the plot is filmed, the desert sequences, and the scenes showcasing the rich area of the city lofted in the sky really makes up for it, they nailed the feel of how a cyberpunk city should look, I was quite surprised.

        I don’t know what to say for the acting, Amitabh Bachan was my favorite but the rest of the cast felt pretty stilted in their roles. I wish we could’ve seen more from Disha Patani, her character isn’t around for long but the sequences where she is feature some of the best visual imagery in the film, for more than one reason. Deepika Padukone’s character was pretty useless, she got little to no dialogue and showed no agency, ushered from one plot point to the next by the surrounding characters, her character was completely underutilized. Prabhas was hilarious, they should’ve made his costume and overall appearance more fitting for the role but his scenes were the most humorous and action filled.

        One of the most disappointing aspects of the film was the impression that the scenes acting as flashbacks to the Mahabharata were the best. They were really intense  and spectacular. A huge part of me wished they just made a film covering that epic in its entirety instead of all this sci-fi stuff. Anyone well versed in sci-fi will probably walk away with the feeling that they could’ve made a better movie. It really is a lot of tiny things that, if tweaked, could have truly made this film something to remember for a long time to come, but sadly I don’t feel this is the case. If you have 3 hours free and want something that’s pretty unique and filled with action then this movie is definitely worth watching, otherwise you’re probably better off waiting to see what else, if anything, comes out of this cinematic universe before jumping in.

Nikhil Saxena

Founder, Destrier Studios

https://linktr.ee/destrierstudios

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Twilight Struggle Review - RIB20

-
Image
Twilight Struggle Review Disclaimer: I asked for and was provided a review copy courtesy of GMT Games . TLDR: This game belongs on everyone’s shelf, it’s a classic for a reason and a new favorite of mine. Very few gaming experiences that hinge on strategy make you feel the way this game does when making decisions.          Twilight Struggle   is one of the smartest games I’ve ever played. I’ll say right now that although it’s listed as a 2-3 hour game, my experience with this has taken up double that per session. This is mostly because for a new player, and even for me, thinking about what to do takes up more time than you’d think. If two confident and experienced players faced off here, they’d probably only take 2-3 hours, but I played this game with a different person each time, so although my turns were relatively short (let me not lie, I took my time), explaining things and setting up the board wh...
Read more

I, Napoleon Review - RIB18

-
Image
I, Napoleon Review Disclaimer: I asked for and was provided a review copy of the game. I played it multiple times, until I felt that I had achieved the best ending, which to me is a mix of achieving 100 or more glory, having a legitimate son, and bringing peace to Europe all in one run. TLDR: I, Napoleon  is a very engaging solitaire game. The setup and playtime is long, so it is best played on one of those days where you have an evening to yourself and are free of responsibilities. It takes a bit to get the hang of but does a great job of making you feel like the man himself, with all the glory and tension that come with the role.          I, Napoleon  marks a professional achievement for me. It’s the first board/war game I’ve asked for a review copy of, and I made a good choice. I was nervous asking for it, but the individual who helped me out at GMT Games was very nice and the process was butter-smooth. I first learned about the game ...
Read more

Knave 2e Review - RIB03

-
Image
Knave 2e Review Disclaimer: I have yet to play this with a group of people nor have I touched the first edition. TLDR: Knave 2e shines the most in terms of ease of use. It’s a brilliant way to get an old school game going in a matter of minutes and hooks the players quickly with intuitive systems.          Knave 2e  is, in the author’s own words, “an exploration-driven fantasy RPG and worldbuilding toolkit, inspired by the best elements of the Old-School DnD movement.” There are really two things of note in that description, an emphasis on exploration and trying to incorporate the OSR movement. We’ll touch on both of these but first some background is in order.         The Knave system was developed by Ben Milton who runs the Questing Beast  YouTube channel, which is a must-watch for anyone even remotely interested in OSR style games. I’m going to assume, dear re...
Read more