Movie Reviews
What's it about? Raja (NTR) is a petty thief. He sets out to steal a gown on the insistence of a businessman (M S Narayana). Raja brings that gown. When he is about to be paid, the businessman dies of heart attack. So Raja yells at Lord Yama in frustration. Yama (MohanBabu) who wants to find out what the people on earth are thinking about him listens this and gets angry. He asks Chitragupta to bring Raja to Yamalokam though he has many years to live. Raja is killed by the goons and is brought to Yamalokam. How Raja makes Yama's life miserable in the Yamalokam and comes to the earth again forms the rest of the story. There is a love angle to this between Raja and Mahi (Priyamani), a jaminder's daughter.
First things first
After two blockbusters - Student No.1 and Simhadri, the awesome NTR and Rajamouli combo is back. Rajamouli charters new territory from his regular revenge drama or action films. This time he has chosen socio-fantasy. So when a dynamic combo join hands for third time, you expect the film to be, if not better, at least at par with their last film, Simhadri. But Yamadonga turns out to be just an average film. It has some major advantages and some minuses. Before we analyze further let's see what works for the film and what not. 1. The Interesting first half. Especially the pre-interval scenes are amazing. 2. NTR's performance and hard work. As Lord Yama in a brief role, his acting and dialogue delivery entertains, amuses and gives high to the Nandamuri fans. Surprisingly, he has surpassed Mohan Babu in those scenes. 3. Late NTR's Graphics. The graphical work of Late NTR seem almost real and his scenes with his grandson NTR are major attraction. In fact that entire episode is entertaining. 4. The verbal exchanges between Mohan Babu and NTR and the Yamalokam episode is good. 5. The major difference to other 'Yama' films to this Yamadonga is that the character is not passive. Here Yama character is very active and dynamic which has brought novelty and set a flurry of interesting scenes in the film. Mohan Babu who is known for impeccable dialogue delivery has enhanced it. 6. Humongous set of Yamalokam and Graphical work. Perhaps the Yamalokam set is one of best erected sets in the recent times in Telugu films. 7. Entertainment in the first half is plus point. And What doesn't.. 1. Biggest minus points are its length and inconsistency in screenplay. With a running time of 3 hour plus, the film needs urgent trimming. 2. Post interval, the narration and proceedings lack fizz. There is no drive in the story. Climax is very predictable. 3. Lack of emotional connectivity. S S Rajamouli's movies are popular for its emotional scenes but here it is not that effective 4. Though basic story thread is okay but the screenplay is inconsistent.
Performances © Copyright by Telugucinema.com
It has high technical standards and rich production values. Of the crew, it is
Anand Sai's work that catches the eye. His Yamalokam set is awesome.
K K Senthil Kumar's cinematography is top class. Normally in fantasy movies, the lighting would be very flashy but here the cameraman has used very soft lighting that is new experience in Telugu films. Graphics in the film are real and special effects team has done commendable job.
Keeravani music and re-recording is good.
Ramarajamouli's costumes needs special mention. Costumes for Mohan Babu and NTR are perfect sync with the characterization. Analysis Director Rajamouli has given five blockbusters in a row and he is known for packaging mass masala entertainers very well. To win the larger audiences, Rajamouli seems to have chosen this fantasy thread - Nara,Yama relationship. He sets the film smoothly in the first half and has incorporated some 'commercial' elements like Late NTR scene, putting Yama into role of a lady but what we miss here is the 'entertainment' and 'emotional connectivity' in the second half. The supremely talented director is also known for his picturisation of songs but his taking of songs like 'Rabbaru Gajulu..' is not good. Rajamouli has dreamed big in this film but the presentation was not consistent. Bottom-line! Yamadonga on the whole is an average film. It has good first half. But it falters in the second half. NTR's spirited performance, the Yamalokam scenes, Late NTR's appearance, the exchange of dialogues between NTR and Mohan Babu work for the film's side. Length and weak climax doesn't go in favor of the film. Rather than the fans, the film might be lapped up by the general family audiences. But again, most of Rajamouli's films that seemed average in the first seeing have turned to be super hits. © Copyright by Telugucinema.com
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