Movie Name: Chandramukhi 2
Rating: 🌟 🌟 🌟 ☆ ☆ (2.75/5)
Starring: Raghava Lawrence, Kangana Ranaut, Vadivelu, Raadhika Sarathkumar and Others
Written and Directed by: P. Vasu
Cinematography: R. D. Rajasekhar
Music Director: M. M. Keeravani
Editor: Anthony
Producer: Subaskaran Allirajah
Release Date: 28th September, 2023
Related Links: Trailer
🎬🌟 Chandramukhi 2 Review: Dividend Sequel 👍 or 👎 🎥🎨
Chandramukhi, a legendary horror film, receives a long-awaited sequel, ‘Chandramukhi 2,’ featuring Raghava Lawrence and Kangana Ranaut in pivotal roles. With extensive promotion leading up to its release, the film has finally graced the big screen today. Let’s dive in to discover how it fares.
Story Glimpse:
Guided by Rao Ramesh, a wealthy family led by Radhika Sarathkumar, plagued by numerous issues, embarks on a journey to seek blessings from their family deity. Their destination is a temple near Vettaiya’s palace, which they lease from Basavaiah (Vadivelu), unaware of the malevolent spirit of Chandramukhi that dwells within. As the story unfolds, we witness the challenges faced by Radhika’s family, the connection between Madhan (Lawrence) and Radhika’s kin, and the mysterious desires of Chandramukhi’s spirit. Explore the enigmatic tale of ‘Chandramukhi 2’ as it unravels these mysteries.
Technical Aspects:
- Casting: Kangana Ranaut, a National Award-winning actress, delivers an outstanding performance, leaving no room for disappointment. Her portrayal of Chandramukhi is impeccable, capturing the essence of the character flawlessly. Kangana’s on-screen presence is truly mesmerizing, and she exudes sheer elegance throughout. Her dance sequences are nothing short of spectacular.
- Lawrence, in the role of Vettaiyan, showcases remarkable dedication, immersing himself in the character’s persona with conviction.
- Lakshmi Menon, in an unexpected role, delivers a standout performance, demonstrating her versatility and skill.
- Direction: Director P. Vasu’s handling of ‘Chandramukhi 2’ falls somewhat short of expectations. While he attempts to enrich Chandramukhi’s backstory with added drama, the film’s impact is hindered by a lackluster screenplay and comedic sequences in the initial hour. Furthermore, the film’s horror element appears to take a backseat, which is quite surprising considering the presence of a talented performer like Kangana.
- Music: M.M. Keeravani makes a valiant effort to elevate the film with his background score. However, the lack of thrilling scenes in the screenplay is a letdown and cannot fully harness the potential of his musical impact.
- Cinematography: Cinematographer Rajasekhar delivers solid work, capturing the visuals effectively. The set design deserves praise for its attention to detail, but the VFX segments fall short of expectations.
- Editor: The editing falls short of expectations, with a heavier focus on drama at the expense of the thrills that fans of this franchise might have anticipated. The first half, in particular, feels disjointed with a collection of seemingly random scenes.
Highlights (Chandramukhi 2 Review):
- Kangana’s Stellar Performance: Kangana Ranaut delivers an outstanding performance as Chandramukhi. Her screen presence and dance moves are remarkable, making her a perfect fit for the role.
- Revised Backstory: The film successfully polishes Chandramukhi’s backstory, providing a fresh take on the character. Kangana’s portrayal adds depth to the role, and the drama in the second half is engaging.
- Convincing Performances: Raghava Lawrence impresses with his role as Vettaiyan, displaying conviction in his performance. The action sequence between Kangana and Lawrence at the end is superbly executed, showcasing their intensity.
- Emotional Moments: A couple of emotional scenes are well-executed, adding depth to the narrative. Lakshmi Menon surprises with her role, delivering a noteworthy performance.
Downsides (Chandramukhi 2 Review):
- Lack of Thrills: Chandramukhi 2 lacks the thrilling moments expected in a horror film. The absence of a spooky atmosphere and jump scares disappoints fans of the genre.
- Comedy Backfires: While comedy was a highlight in the original Chandramukhi, it becomes a drawback in Chandramukhi 2. Vadivelu’s character is clichéd, and over-the-top comedy irritates the audience. The poorly written love track also hampers the film.
- Flat Narrative: The screenplay format closely follows the original, but it lacks tension-building elements. Many portions in the first half could have been trimmed for better pacing.
- Missed Horror Opportunities: Despite having a strong performer like Kangana, the film sidelines the horror element, surprising fans of the franchise.
- VFX and Editing Issues: The VFX portions are below par, and the editing could have been sharper to improve the overall narrative flow.
Final Verdict: “An Okay Watch“
