'Robo -Endhiran' Movie Review (As per Web sources)

Film: Robo (2010)
Cast: Rajnikant (Dual role), Aishwarya Rai, Danny Denzongpa and others
Dialogues: Sri Ramakrishna
Music: A R Rahman
Lyrics: Suddala Ashok Teja, Vanamali, Bhuvanachandra,Cinematography: Ratnavelu,Choreography : Prabhu Dheva, Raju Sundaram, Remo, Dinesh
Action: Peter Heins,Art: Sabu Cyril,Editor: Anthony,Sound: Resul Pookutty,Costumes: Manish Malhotra,Produced by: Kalanithi Maran,Banner: Sun Pictures,Presented by: Tota Kannarao,Written and directed by: S Shankar
Release date: Oct 1, 2010
CBFC Rating: U

The Robo mania which caught up Tollywood is not over. It seems that the mania has just begun to unfold to its fullness. Robo, claimed to be the costliest Indian film ever, is certainly a visual splendor on a par with the world cinema. Director Shankar deserves kudos from all sides for all the departments that he had handled to perfection, barring a few hiccups. However, a doubt lingers among the trade circles – how far the futuristic element with a strong dash of human philosophy would get into the heads of the audiences.

What is About :

Dr Vaseekaran (Rajnikanth), a genius scientist makes a Robo (t) (Rajnikanth) in his own image. In a sense, he gives birth to a mechanical human being, who turns into all-pervasive, a superhuman. The purpose of the scientist is to get the robot ready to assist the Indian Army in its endeavors. Soon, the scientist is puzzled to see that his creation would start like behaving like a human being, with all the sentiments attached to its. Bad, the robot starts falling in love with Sana (Aish), the love interest of the scientist. As a precautionary measure, Dr Vaseekaran nips the bud, thus ending the robot’s life. But, the stale machine is picked up by the rival, who again gives birth to it. Now, the robot shedding its human feelings turns into a dangerous incarnation on a destructive spree. The robot itself turns into a scientist, creating as many robots as possible. How the destructive force is eliminated – it forms the crux of the film.

Performances :

Rajnikanth is simply superb and the audiences have to admit that if not for Rajni, the theatres would be vacant. His composure, diction, style, each and every department that treated him is excellent. Undoubtedly, the Rajni as Robot is going to be immortal for the next several generations.

Aishwarya Rai stunned the audiences with her mysterious beauty. Apart from her killing glamour, she also brought the much required thud to the movie, with her classic expressions.

Danny is adequate as villain. He could display the best of his prowess. All other characters made their sway felt within their limits.

Coming to the story, director Shankar deserves appreciation, for most part of it is his own invention and creation, and only a passing element comes as inspiration from other flicks. Though he modeled it as a fantasy, it has all the seriousness of a villainous treat. Screenplay is slow, but its get in pace with the story a few minutes after the second half.

Music is style in this film. This department rocked when it comes to the background score, though comes as usual in the songs, several of which fail to enliven the mood. But for the visual splendor and puzzling backdrop in the foreign locations, the songs are not impressive.

The strength of the movie is also displayed through dialogues. One would just sit in pathos when he hears the agonized and parting words of the Robot, which gets ready to die. The director took the opportunity to sermonize through the character of Robot, which he might not do through a live role. Rathanavelu’s cinematography is stunning, followed by dexterous editing. The graphics are an additional strength to the film.

If we take Robot from the point of view of science fiction, Shankar seems to have pushed in a warning that unguided scientific temperament could result in danger. Definitely, the movie has the strength for a universal appeal and does not fall short of the international standards.

The film has its philosophical touch, dwelling into the dictums that are found in the religious books. For instance, the director wants to show that the anger and unchecked ambition would bring disaster for oneself.

Bottom Line :

Robot suffers from a drop after the second half. And the momentum is gained only close to the climax. Despite having a creative line, grand visuals, Robot lacks the entertainment of the type that goes with the Tollywood crowds. With the pucca Telugu films ahead, whether Robot can sustain the heat in the coming days? We have to wait and see.

It has resemblence to Upendra's Kannada film, Hollywood.

Rating: 3.5/5

'Robo -Endhiran' Movie Review (As per Web sources)