Animal Movie Review: Ranbir Kapoor’s Most Powerful Performance Powered by Daddy Issues and Sponsored by Sandeep Reddy Vanga-Style Misogyny
Animal Movie Review: Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s ‘Animal’ starring Ranbir Kapoor (Ranvijay), Anil Kapoor (Balbir Singh), Rashmika Mandanna (Geethanjali) and Bobby Deol (Abrar). The film smacks of misogyny and sexism.
Animal movie review: Animal is a gripping action thriller that manages to keep your interest with an engaging first half, before losing it in a dull second half and pulling itself together with a masterful conclusion. Most of Ranvijay Singh’s (Ranbir Kapoor) childhood is spent chasing after his father Balbir Singh (Anil Kapoor), whom he adores and idolizes, but in vain.
Animal became a hot topic when it got an ‘A’ certificate from CBFC – Watch the video and you will understand. It was rated 18+ and described as ‘strong bloody violence’. The film ranked high in terms of injury description, sexual violence and sexual threats. There are several action scenes in the gripping action drama thriller that will affect you deeply. Ranbir Kapoor fires a machine gun weighing over 500 kg during one of the most intense action sequences. The real machine gun used in the shooting reportedly cost Rs 1 crore. For the unversed, approximately 800 masks were constructed for the sequences. They are all made of glass and have a nickel coating.
The film starts with Ranbir narrating a short story in black and white. A moving father-son song and a quick flashback to childhood provide a strong emotional framework for the story. Everything that happens in this scene immediately grabs your attention and sets the tone for vengeful action.
What worked?
The much-awaited film Animal, directed by director Sandeep Reddy Vanga, introduces the audience to a whole new side of Ranbir Kapoor. His performance in this role is downright intense and chilling. He embodies a character that is both sinister and maniac, making him seemingly unstoppable. The scene depicting a brutal encounter between Ranbir’s character and over 200 men shows the raw and violent nature of his personality, delving deep into his darkest instincts.
One of the standout elements of the film is its captivating background score and music, especially during the gripping action scenes. The music heightens the tension and adrenaline of these moments, magnifying the impact of the action on screen and further immersing the audience in the unfolding chaos.
The film seems to benefit from a strong ensemble cast, with each member bringing their own talents to the table. And with Ranbir Kapoor’s ability to pull off convincing chemistry across the board, Animal promises an intriguing and captivating cinematic experience.
The series of switching roles, as teased in the trailer, where Ranbir’s character pushes his father to switch roles and act like a son, seems to be a standout moment in the film. The supporting cast, including Shakti Kapoor, Tripti Dimri, Sidharth Karnick and Saloni Batra, delivered stellar performances, adding depth and brilliance to their respective roles.
Animal, indeed showcases Ranbir Kapoor’s remarkable ability to connect with his co-stars, which is evident from the chemistry he shares with several actors in the film. His on-screen dynamic was not just with Rashmika Mandanna, Anil Kapoor and Bobby Deol, but also with his cousins and Tripti Dimri. His versatility as an actor allows him to seamlessly adapt and create compelling relationships with different characters, enhancing the overall story of the film.
What didn’t work?
If you are offended by Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Arjun Reddy And Kabir Singh, let us tell you he has some anger for his new movie – Animal. This time, the film seems to push the boundaries of misogyny and sexism even further. Ranbir Kapoor’s characterization of Rannvijay as an ‘alpha male’ due to extreme abuse is worrying, especially when it is used to justify his actions. His attempt to rationalize his infidelity by citing his father’s situation and later asserting control over his wife’s interactions comes across as deeply problematic.
Ranbir Kapoor’s audacity to tell his wife that he won’t let anyone near her after cheating on her ‘for his father’s sake’ has us concerned. It is disturbing to witness instances where misogyny is casually displayed, and the acceptance of such behavior by Geetanjali’s character, played by Rashmika, in the name of love.
And what is this Bollywood’s obsession with sex, cigarettes and smoking? It raises questions about their glorification. Does it make the heroes cool and modern?
First half versus second half
The second half really falls apart after the intense and compelling first half. An interesting but forced scene that seems like an attempt to get the audience to talk about sex doesn’t fit opens the second half of the film.
The conflict sequences of father and son are masterfully depicted. It holds your attention for over three hours, even though the emotions, especially in the second half, did not work as well as I had hoped.
Justice for Bobby Deol
Bobby Deol in Animal? Hey? Where? His presence was felt during the promos rather than the entire 3 hour and 21 minute film. With only two entire scenes and no dialogue, we thought he was seriously wasted in what should have been the best opportunity to turn a big profit and cash in on the Bobby craze. Although his screen time is disappointing, there’s no doubt that Bobby surprises you even in the two or three moments he appears.
Final verdict:
The audience experiences a range of emotions and that is why you MUST watch it at least once. One viewing of Animal can be worth it as it offers a distinctive cinematic experience. The film’s conclusion makes up for a number of shortcomings, but above all keeps you interested. The entire film is really held together by Ranbir Kapoor!