Kantara Chapter 1 Movie Review Telugu | Kantara Chapter 1 Telugu Review | Kantara Chapter 1 Review

[Buffer]\## Kantara Chapter 1 Review: A Deep Dive into Rishab Shetty's Prequel Kantara Chapter 1, the highly anticipated prequel to the original Kantara, recently hit theaters, boasting a substantial runtime of 2 hours and 48 minutes. The reviewer experienced the film in Dolby Atmos sound at AMB Cinemas, offering a detailed perspective on what worked and what didn't in this new chapter. ### Storyline at a Glance The film's basic storyline picks up directly where the first Kantara movie ended, delving into the past. It explores the enmity between the Bangara kingdom and the Kantara tribe, taking viewers on a historical journey. ### The First Half: A Strong Start Upon reaching the intermission, the first half left a positive impression. Several scenes stood out, including the introduction, the unique honey bee sequence, the thrilling chariot fight, and the powerful interval scene. These moments contributed to an initial feeling of enjoyment, with the reviewer even expressing a desire to re-watch certain scenes from this half, despite acknowledging some lag. ### The Second Half: Pacing and Predictability In contrast, the second half largely fell short for the reviewer. Apart from roughly 15 minutes dedicated to possession scenes in the middle and during the climax, the remainder of the second half felt tedious. It was described as following the same 'savior template' and being predictable, akin to a repeat of the first Kantara or even Avatar: Pandora. This repetition made the prospect of a second viewing unappealing. ### Performances and Direction Rishab Shetty's double role as director and actor received significant praise. His direction and action sequences were both lauded, particularly in the two possession scenes where he truly embodied the character, making it seem genuinely possessed. His portrayal was noted as a benchmark for how a superhero transformation should look after gaining powers. Heroine Rukmini Vasanth was also credited with a good role, while other supporting actors performed adequately. ### Technical Aspects: What Shines Technically, the film showcased several strong points. The interval scene and the chariot fight scene were highlighted as innovative and fresh, with the chariot fight drawing comparisons to a similar sequence in the last Pirates of the Caribbean film, suggesting inspiration. Background music was effective in certain sections, and the Shiva song in the second half was appreciated. Cinematography was also deemed good. While some VFX, like the horse, tiger, and monkeys, were convincing, the VFX for Nandi and other animals in some places was noticeable as artificial. ### What Didn't Work: The Drawbacks The primary criticisms revolved around the second half's formulaic nature, sticking to a predictable 'savior template' with uninteresting fights and drama. The story in the first half lacked depth, though compensated by strong scenes. However, the second half, despite its setup, continually reverted to the same savior archetype. The narrative could have benefited from more detailed explanations about concepts like 'Ishwarudi Poodhota' (God's garden) and 'Brahma Rakshasudu' (Brahma demon), and how possession originates and unfolds. Pacing issues were also noted, with the story moving too fast initially and then slowing down with unnecessary scenes in the second half, such as the horse running sequence, dagger scenes, and jail scenes. The villains were perceived as weak, and a comedic sequence inserted into a serious climax fight felt out of place and poorly executed when performed by comedians rather than the hero. The prequel also failed to provide heavy detailing or answers to certain questions, such as the origin of 'Bob' or his reason for roaming with purity. ### Is it Family-Friendly? For those wondering if Kantara Chapter 1 is suitable for family viewing, the answer is yes. The film contains no adult content, making it appropriate for a wider audience. ### Overall Verdict & Rating In conclusion, Kantara Chapter 1 offers some highly enjoyable, highlight-reel worthy scenes that might warrant a single theatrical viewing. However, the overall experience did not reach 'extraordinary peaks,' largely due to the second half feeling like a rehash of the original Kantara. Some draggy scenes in the second half could have been trimmed for a tighter narrative. Given these points, the reviewer rates Kantara Chapter 1 at \*\*3 out of 5 stars\*\*. If you enjoyed this review, please consider subscribing for more movie insights!