The Three Rs

RRR (S.S. Rajamouli, 2022)

Considering how creatively bankrupt Hollywood has been in what feels like forever, it's only natural that foreign film territories become much more enticing to an outside audience. One such film is S.S. Rajamouli's Indian box-office extravaganza, RRR, aka Rise, Roar, Revolt. Glad I gave this film a chance since it definitely was one of the most rewarding film experiences I have had so far this year. From the moment when Raju (Ram Charan) goes flying into a rabid mob, at least a thousand deep, laying the smackdown on anyone obstructing him from arresting a vandal, I knew RRR was worthy of my time.

Set in 1920's India, the film revolves around its two lead protoganists, Bheem (N.T. Rama Rao Jr.) and Raju as both their distinctive paths draws them together in confronting the British Empire. What's appealing about these two men is how they are realised as two almost god-like entities, not just in their depictions of superhuman strength and resilience, but in their personifications of the elements fire and water. Marvel and DC take note! Seeing the druidic like Bheem burst out of a truck with a horde of tigers, leopards, wolves and stags in a trojan horse style raid, at a British uppercrust soiree, really is a glorious sight to behold. Speaking of Brits, it's great to see Ray Stevenson, the G.O.A.T Frank Castle, as the film's big villain, along with Alison Doody, aka that fit Elsa fräulein, who got pressed by the Jones boys in Indiana Jones and The Last Crusdade (1989), playing his utterly sadistic wife. What's all the more enticing about RRR is that these scenes of marvellous spectacle are blessed throughout the film. For what it's worth, this blend of Fast & Furious O.T.T. theatrical set pieces and the exotic setting, really harken to my love of action films from a bygone era.

They say opposites attract and this appears true since both Bheem and Raju have the greatest onscreen bromance since Detectives Mike Lowry and Marcus Burnett blessed the silver screen. The chemistry between both lead characters appeared genuinely sincere and as a result it made me feel invested in the pair. In the case of Raju who initially appeared as a heel, it felt rewarding seeing his story unfold; replete with his back story, which provides a fantastic motivation to his persona. The link to Michael Bay's Bad Boys glory days does not end there however, as the sense of sheer spectacle is evident throughout; from ludicrously grandiose action set pieces to the resplendently eye-popping visuals.

The pacing for the film ranges from mid to high tempo and it ought to be as it clocks in at a whopping one hundred and eighty-seven minutes. RRR expertly balances drama with the high octane action without choosing one over the other; that's another reason why time rushes by so quickly for it. Thumbs up then, since it's a feat where Matt Reeves' The Batman (2022), which has a similar running time, almost sent me to the Land of Nod with just how boring I found it.

It's not all perfect however, there are some issues that I had with the film; namely a romance subplot between Bheem and his English love interest, Jennifer (Olivia Morris) which fizzled out and was largely forgotten during the second half of the film. There's also my dislike for musical dance numbers, and while it's kept to a bare minimum in RRR, it does stick out like a sore thumb for me. The scene where Bheem is singing about the luscious life-giving forest while being flailed with a flesh-ripping, razor-studded bull whip, does require massive amounts of suspension in disbelief, but then again, the film is not expected to be treated in a seriously realistic vein. MCU stans might take issue with the overall quality of the visual effects, but this isn't a Hollywood tent pole movie with the same level of resources at hand. In any case, I felt they were part of the charm to the film and made it all the more endearing.

In summary, what really ought to be commended about Rajamouli's film is its forthright attitude in being an authentic crowd pleaser without sacrificing any of its brutal scenes to appease easily triggered individuals. Ultimately, RRR is a film which is deceptively wrapped in the packaging of a wholesome family movie, yet it offers immense levels of entertainment for seasoned genre film fans to boot. Which makes this a film thoroughly worth admiring, in my honest opinion.