LION MOVIE REVIEW

Nandamuri Balakrishana is one supreme Indian star who can punch like a Bruce Lee, kick like a Jackie Chan, dance like a fire and lift Thor's hammer effortlessly. The actual Lion, out in the wild, is an efficient manager extracting its needs. But this lion, Godsey alias Bose is a fearless warrior without a sword but with hands like the sharpest blade in the world cutting through walls, trees and cars. Produced by the magnanimous SLV banner and directed by newbie Satyadev, Lion is an action-drama with equal doses of romance and comedy.

 

What if a very honest CBI officer takes a dig at a corrupt Chief Minister? Balayya as Godsey shoulders the movie grabbing all the attention with jaw-dropping stunts, loud dialogues and breathtaking dance movements at the age of 54. The experienced actor needs to be complimented for his energy and charisma. With the first half creating suspicion, the story revolves around a suspense waiting to be revealed. Balayya is somebody who can defy gravity, recite a punch dialogue to a dead body, stop a train with his little finger on the right, save his wig from falling even when he's hanging upside down and romance heroines like the lord Krishna himself. 

 

While attempting to analyse the story, Lion highlights the already addressed issues like corruption and the crooked politicians. Lion is no less to any Telugu film in terms of larger than life characters, songs in a wink and fight sequences that could embarrass the Wachowskis. The underutilized Radhika Apte plays a puppet like role made only to score during the songs because of the climate-friendly costumes. Trisha from her side brings in the expertise and does a clean act. Prakash Raj as the villain has definitely spent some time on choosing his kurtas but nothing more for the role. Mani Sharma's age-old songs and template BGM neither adds value nor depreciates the flow of the film. 

 

Balayya does it all to lead the story. He jumps, flies, bashes and breaks everything and anything around. He is a ruthless killer except when being nice to his heroines. Credits to the director for not allowing the typical comedy influenced scenes to control the film when somebody is busy telling a story. Venkata Prasad's cinematography is bright enough to notice all the colors and extra mention to the stunt team for the eye-popping fighting scenes. So much of thought and preparation has gone to make them look powerful and real.

 

Over-dramatized scenarios, song placements and a simple story ruin the film. When there has to be a purpose to make a film, Lion looks like a favor to somebody from somebody.