Baahubali Review: Some flaws, but a great movie with spectacular visuals and some superb performances. 4/5

Baahubali – The Beginning, the first part of the series, hit the screens around the world with magical numbers at box office.

Story: Bhallaladeva conquers the kingdom of Mahishmathi and kills Amarendra Baahubali. Shivudu, son of Baahubali, who was living in a forest, comes back to the Kingdom to take revenge. The story looks similar most of the time with other movies of the same genre. It always gives that feeling; let it be Troy or Kochadaiyaan. The story is basically an expanded bedtime story with an attempt to make it a thriller by inserting some twists and heavy dialogues. This is not a film that tries to impress you through its story or message; it focuses entirely on visual entertainment.

Like his previous movies (Eega, Magadheera, Chathrapathi), SS Rajamouli developed the main two characters very carefully, with more than enough scope to please audience. The story, like usual, does not makes much impact but visuals and grandness cover it and impresses us. The imagery is unparalleled, near perfect scenes with bold and vibrant use of color, and scenery. This film contains marvelous in-your-face graphic war scenes. The depiction of the fighting is fierce, with heads and body parts flying as the warriors fight the enemy. The film is gory, but artistically gory. Overall, Baahubali is one chilling scene to a massive snow scene to a goosebump scene to an epic fight scene. The colors, the costumes, the atmosphere, the background, every little detail has been given so much attention. This movie will attract whole new fans for another genre of Indian Movies, like the way Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon did for their industry. Rajamouli’s Baahubali is more groundbreaking than Shankar’s Endhiran mainly because this movie will bring international audience closer to Indian cinema. SS Rajamouli has done an outstanding job in bringing this extraordinary creation to the screen.

Positives

• Visual Effects and Art. The best to come from India with absolute no doubt and can match any Hollywood movie. The visual effects are certainly where Baahubali succeeds on every level.
• Cinematography by K. K. Senthil Kumar helps to create the breathtaking visuals.
• MM Keeravani gives breath to the massive visual treat with his songs and tracks.
• Prabhas
• Tamannah, Rana, Ramya Krishnan and Sathyaraj. The cast is charming in their rather operatic fashion.
• SS Rajamouli. For his great vision and imagination. He has given a movie with international appeal and will benefit future Indian films.
• Action Scenes. The film is completely action-packed; have some of the most mesmerizing and memorable battle sequences.

Powerful elements of the story combine with the visual effects and add to the almost awe-inspiring scenes which really do take your breath away. Eg.: The stature scene.

Negatives? One song. You know which one I am talking about. I was completely unnecessary. Apart from this, the ending is not climactic. Given the entire striking atmosphere through the movie, the ending is actually weak.

Baahubali is so beautiful and so stylish. Then why does it not feel complete? It is because of the lack of emotional impact. With Baahubali, SS Rajamouli has increased his vision and focus on action and beauty in background, but the characters remain the central focus instead of the story. With that lies the problem, the only problem.

SS Rajamouli has come close to achieving perfection now, through marvelous and wonderful Baahubali. The designs and execution are extraordinary. The film shines because all the cinematic elements take us through a cinematic visual experience which probably never matched from an Indian movie. It is a remarkable achievement and sets a new benchmark for big-budget movies that I fear not many will be able to meet in near future.

Forget the Hero, 300 and House of Flying Daggers, SS Rajamauli’s Baahubali delivers! Every scene is beautifully crafted. Let it be the royal palace or the gold statue scene or war scene. It gives awesome cinematic experiences in big screen. The movie, overall, is a tremendous experience. It’ll leave you in awe. Although Baahubali may not be Rajamouli’s greatest script but is a visual masterpiece. Baahubali is a visual tour de force that needs be seen on the big screen in order to be appreciated fully. This is one of those movies that come along once in awhile.

Some flaws, but a great movie with spectacular visuals and some superb performances.