Movie Info
Movie Name: RRR
Studio: DVV Entertainment
Genre(s): Action/Adventure
Release Date(s): March 24, 2022 (Ireland)/March 25, 2022 (India/US)
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
A friendship is forged!
Komaram Bheem (N.T. Rama Rao) has vowed to retrieve Malli (Twinkle Sharma) from the clutches of British governor Scott Buxton (Ray Stevenson) and his wife Catherine (Alison Doody) who have taken her from their village and her people. As he tries to reach Malli, he befriends Alluri Sitarama Raju (Ram Charan) who unfortunately is an undercover inspector hired to root out Bheem. Alluri Sitarama Raju is also hiding a secret. He is also out for revenge, but Bheem’s plans might not correspond with Raju’s plans to arm his people. In Bheem and Raju, a bond might be forged that can change a land.
Directed S. S. Rajamouli, RRR (which stands for Roudram Ranam Rudhiram in Telugu aka Rage, War, Blood or Rise Roar Revolt in the English version) is a historic fantasy adventure. It is a fictionalized historic story about the lives of revolutionists Komaram Bheem (October 22, 1901-October 27, 1940) and Alluri Sitarama Raju (July 4, 1897-May 7, 1924). The film became an international hit after its premiere and streamed on Netflix. The film received an Academy Award for Best Original Song (“Naatu Naatu”).
It’s on like Donkey Kong!
RRR of course had a ton of online buzz. There were stills and images of crazy fighting and animals…but it was a three hour movie, so I always passed on watching it. Finally catching up on RRR, it is a long movie (and does feel like three hours), but it is also a fun ride.
The story features real people, but in a story that proposes a friendship between the two rebels and how the two become virtual superheroes to take down the British who were controlling India at the time (kind of like an Inglourious Basterds or Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood fantasy). The British are cartoon villains and despite beatings and battles, Bheem and Raju fight on. It is a both an action film and a buddy film that is more explosive and bigger than most action films.
The cast is interesting. As someone not entirely familiar with Indian film (technically it is a Telugu film), I go in with no knowledge of either of the leads. N.T. Rama Rao Jr.’s character feels like the “star” of the movie since it largely follows him with Ram Charan added in soon after…but he feels a bit like a non-traditional action star and doesn’t look like the “bad-ass” that his character is supposed to be. On the other hand, I can completely see Ram Charan as a traditional celebrity and action star. He has a fire that elevates N.T. Rama Rao Jr. and raises his character. Ray Stevenson and Alison Doody play the evil British and seem to revel in their cartoon villainy (which is what they need to do).
Friends don’t torture friends
The movie isn’t for everyone simply because of its length, but also because it is in line with Bollywood films (or as mention “Tollywood” films) which merges the extreme images with singing and dancing on occasion. It isn’t as much as singing and dancing as some movies, but it is a surrealism that not everyone can probably take. The imagery is both amazing, but sometimes cheesy…but it all works in context of the film.
RRR is a movie that pulses and moves. The song “Naatu Naatu” of course is one of highlights of the film which shows the movie has a fun feel and visuals that aren’t common in American films. There is something about the style of Bollywood that works in a weird way that isn’t really explainable outside India, but RRR and others someday might make it more accessible worldwide.
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