Change Your Image
karan-varma444
Reviews
Animal (2023)
Vanga's Violent Vagueness & Vulgarity
Yes, it was a tale rooted in the love of thy father but the question is where did this love come from and why it persisted?
So, Ranvijay Balbir Singh, played by Ranbir Kapoor is supposed to a hero we cheer for but hardly any of his characteristics and behaviour warrant that.
In a way, he blames his toxicity on his father's absence.
And then paradoxically justifies these actions by not just protecting him but annihilating any threat. It's almost like he needs an excuse to vent out whatever demon is inside him.
The privilege reeks when he's constantly berating any domestic help that comes in the scene and constantly talks about how they're the most important family in the world.
And again the paradox is that he only considers people from the middle class as his companions.
Animals are relatively simple creatures. But whatever this convoluted creature is written out to be, at least Ranbir Kapoor has given one of the best performances of his life for him.
If he's portrayed as an anti-hero, I would be personally fine with but it doesn't seem to be that clear to a mass audience even if you're hinting at it in a subtle manner. We understand where the motivation comes from but still, if you'd like to show your hero killing hundreds of professional assasins, at least have some justification more than having a nice body, being manic and protecting your family.
At least the cinematography and musical score isn't too bad.
The Violence:
Gory, yes, and if you can't handle too much blood then probably don't watch it. But it's one of the elements that's consistent throughout and directed well.
The execution of action sequences at the end of the first half is probably, for me, the best part of the movie. (Probably because it's heavily 'inspired' by Park Chan-wook).
But how it's allowed to happen & how the hundreds of professional assassins are so dumb and useless is something that one shouldn't ponder too much upon.
It's rare for the hero to be almost at the same level of goriness as the villain.
Overall story:
There were several inconsistencies.
Vanga sometimes comes across as a baby getting bored with one toy and picking up another.
Makes sense as the main character is a man child.
The 'Jijaji' is severely underutilised. We're supposed to just assume the motivations without any implications. One of the best sequences in the movie is Balbir Singh's 60th birthday and the showdown between Ranvijay and Jijaji, and what follows afterwards. Albeit, a bit stretched.
It's a palindrome of comedy and violence. The saddest part is that the audience didn't laugh at 90% of the attempts at humour.
Also, it's heavily focused on sex, like not that just the physically activity, which is fine, it adds to the storyline but then for no reasons there are never-ending penis jokes and a physiatrist just asking him a single question about his sex life.
Regardless of people's concern about how this validates misogynistic behavior and influencers impressionable youngsters life philosophy; this movie is simply not worth it. With a more consistent storyline and character arches, it could have been a lot better with the ability of this star cast and budget.