KANGUVA has a superb performance but suffers due to weak direction.

Kanguva Review {2.0/5} & Review Rating

Director: Siva

Kanguva Movie Review Synopsis:
KANGUVA is the story of a brave warrior. The film is set in two timelines. In 2024, Francis (Suriya) is a bounty hunter in Goa who catches criminals for the police. His rival is his ex-girlfriend Angel (Disha Patani), who’s also a bounty hunter. While trying to nab a gangster named Jittu, Francis bumps into a kid named Zeta. Zeta is a kid with extraordinary abilities who has escaped from a secret facility. Francis doesn’t know Zeta and yet gets drawn to him. Meanwhile, in 1070 AD, Kanguva (Suriya) is the chief on the island of Perumachi. It is one of the five islands which are next to each other. The other four islands are Mandyaru, Venkadu, Mukkadu and Arthi. The Romans want to capture this region and they enlist the help of Kodavan. He informs the Romans that Perumachi warriors are too brave and they need to be eliminated not just by force but also through intelligence. Kodavan tries to do so but is caught red-handed by Kanguva. He kills him. His wife jumps into the pyre and asks Kanguva to take care of her son, Poruva. Meanwhile, the Romans now approach Arthi’s ruthless chief Udhiran (Bobby Deol) to fight Kanguva and his army. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

Kanguva Movie Story Review:
Adi Narayana’s story has a lot of weight. Siva’s screenplay, however, fails to do justice to the plot. But a few scenes are well thought out. Madan Karky’s dialogues are normal and are devoid of any powerful one-liners.

Siva’s direction is grand. He has tried his best to present an epic cinematic experience to the viewers. This is evident not just in the 1070 AD track but also in the present-day scenes. The latter are stylishly executed. The enmity between the two tribes and the characteristics of the five islands are imaginative. The father-son bond is touching.

On the flipside, the film is too loud. The direction is weak in several places. Certain scenes must have sounded great on paper but didn’t translate as intended on celluloid. Also, it comes at a time when viewers are probably bored of watching ruthless, animal-like humans baying for each other’s blood. Since it comes too late in the day, viewers will draw parallels with films like BAAHUBALI, DEVARA etc. For instance, Udhiran’s tribe seems very similar to Kalkeyas of BAAHUBALI. The present-day portions, meanwhile, give a deja vu of KALKI 2898 AD due to the presence of Disha and the mention of bounty hunters. The film ends with the promise of a sequel and it fails to excite viewers.

Kanguva (Hindi) – Release Trailer | Suriya | Bobby Deol

Kanguva Movie Review Performances:
Suriya gives more than a hundred per cent to the role and makes the film watchable. As Francis, he’s cool but as Kanguva, he’s fiery and looks convincing as a brave leader who can take on several enemies at once. The child actor (whose name is nowhere mentioned surprisingly by the makers) has a crucial role and does a fabulous job. Bobby Deol looks menacing but his performance leaves a lot to be desired. Disha Patani looks sizzling but hardly has anything to do. Yogi Babu (Colt 95) and Redin Kingsley (Accelerator) raise limited laughs. The other actors do well.

Kanguva movie music and other technical aspects:
Devi Sri Prasad’s music is catchy. The theme song ‘Naayak’is exhilarating. ‘Fire Song’ is grand. However, showing Suriya moving his tongue as a dance step is embarrassing.‘Maafi’ is soulful. ‘YOLO’ is forced. Devi Sri Prasad’s background score adds to the cinematic appeal.

Vetri Palanisamy’s cinematography is spectacular, especially the scenes shot at the beach. T Udhayakumar, Renjith Venugopal Saravakumar’s sound design is horrible as it is needlessly loud. Milan’s production design is detailed and authentic. Anu Vardhan’s costumes for Suriya are appealing while Dhatsha Pillai Maria Merlyn’s costumes are realistic. Supreme Sundar’s action is very disturbing. Nishad Yusuf’s editing is appropriate.

Kanguva Movie Review Conclusion:
On the whole, KANGUVA has a superb performance by Suriya but the film suffers due to a weak direction and similarities with other Pan-India films.