24. K.G.F. Chapter 1; movie review

K.G.F. - CHAPTER 1
Cert 15
154 mins
BBFC advice: Contains strong violence, threat

There is only one negative to Derby Odeon De Luxe's wonderful new recliner seats - they can lull the viewer into the land of nod during a movie's boring moments.
Indeed, I have to report that I felt rather too relaxed during Prashanth Neel's ambitious Kannada-language action movie K.G.F. Chapter One.
Actually, I am not sure this was in its original Kannada because I am aware that it has been dubbed in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam. Of course, I would have been none the wiser because I relied on the subtitles.
I digress. This is one of the most successful films in Kannada cinema history and I can see why. But, in my opinion, its storytelling is confused and it drags on for too long.
It stars Yash as Rocky, who is born into abject poverty but nurtures the ambition to rise to wealth and power when he arrives in Bombay (now Mumbai) in 1981.
Thus, he seeks to outdo crimelords who are linked to the gold industry and a secret mine where hundreds of poor Indians are enslaved.
His methods are unsubtle but necessary as he bumps of 20 machete-wielding adversaries at a time.
This is where I have a problem with Indian movies. The last three I have watched (K.G.F, Viswasam and Petta) have lead characters who can kill, maim or injure so many bad guys simultaneously.
This renders the action unbelievable in my view. It doesn't matter how powerful a man or woman can be, simple maths means they would be submerged by such odds.
Rocky faces such a scenario at least five or six times and on each occasion, I was left asking myself 'why doesn't someone just shoot him?'
Anyway, Yash has obviously touched a chord with fans because they are flocking to see him swish his luxuriant hair and see off anyone who is standing in the way of Rocky being top dog.
However, my problems with K.G.F. Chapter One (apparently, Chapter Two follows shortly) are threefold.
Firstly, the fight scenes drag on an on. The dramatic music is inevitably followed by slow-motion fighting to emphasise Rocky's power.
Secondly, much of the movie is very dark so it is difficult to see what is going on.
Thirdly, the narrative leaps about too much. Strangely, this seems to be deliberate because the person telling Rocky's story is forever being dragged back on track.
These elements, combined with Odeon's comfy seats affecting my concentration. Indeed, I found myself micro-napping and it was only early Sunday afternoon!

Reasons to watch: Already a blockbuster and its action
Reasons to avoid: Its scenes really drag on

Laughs: None
Jumps: None
Vomit: None
Nudity: None
Overall rating: 5.5/10

Did you know? K.G.F. Chapter One has been released simultaneously in five languages - Kannada, Hindi, Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam. It is the first Kannada film to be given such widespread distribution.

The final word. Yash: "The concept of the film is unique and the way we have shot it is very international. I think, it is more than dialogues, it will be visuals which will tell you the story." 

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