Game Changer Movie Review

Game Changer Movie Review

Telugu360 Rating:2.5/5

Director Shankar, a game-changer in Indian cinema, is known for his grand visual spectacles and impactful storytelling that blends social issues with commercial elements. However, even the strongest structures can falter over time. Shankar, who once set benchmarks, faced setbacks with consecutive flops, raising questions about his career post Indian 2. This film stars Ram Charan after his massive RRR success, produced by Dil Raju, marking the producer’s 50th venture. With high expectations, promising trailers, and bold claims of a National Award-worthy performance by Charan, the film entered the Sankranti festival race. But does Game Changer live up to its hype? Is it truly a Shankar-mark film? Has Charan continued his winning streak post-RRR?

Story:

Ram Nandan (Ram Charan), a sincere district collector, is posted to Visakhapatnam under the rule of the Abhyudaya Party, led by Chief Minister Bobbili Satyamurthy (Srikanth). With just a year left in his term, Satyamurthy instructs his ministers and MLAs to set aside corruption and serve the public. However, his badass son Mopi devi (S.J. Suryah) has his eyes set on the CM’s chair. As Ram Nandan clashes with Mopidevi’s corrupt practices, Satyamurthy suddenly dies, and Mopidevi is poised to become the next CM. But just as things seem set, a twist involving Ram Nandan’s past unfolds. Who is Ram Nandan? What is his connection to Satyamurthy? And what role does Appanna (also played by Ram Charan) play in this drama? These questions drive the remaining film.

Execution vs. Expectations:

Shankar mentioned in an interview that Game Changer was inspired by commercial hits like Pokiri and Okkadu. While it’s commendable that Telugu films inspired him, the landscape of cinema has evolved. What made Pokiri and Okkadu groundbreaking at the time were their fresh commercial elements. Similarly, Shankar’s own Indian and Oke Okkadu set new standards. Sticking to a similar formula in today’s era feels outdated. Audiences’ tastes and the definition of heroism have changed, unfortunately, Game Changer fails to reflect this evolution.

At its core, the movie is a battle between an honest officer and a corrupt politician. Shankar attempts to put together a narrative with tit-for-tat sequences but ends up relying on outdated storytelling techniques reminiscent of his earlier films like Oke Okkadu. While OkeOkkadu tackled systemic corruption, Game Changer focuses on a personal rivalry, narrowing its scope. The sequences, such as Ram Nandan enforcing rules by parading rowdies and corrupt businessmen in buses, feel formulaic and lack the impactful “Shankar touch.”

Flashback scenes featuring Appanna provide respite, showcasing Shankar’s research and Ram Charan’s sincere effort. Charan’s portrayal of Appanna, especially in a 20-minute segment, is arresting. In second half, first forty minutes the film is racy. The film slips back into routine commercial, with lackluster pre-climax sentiment and a weak climax fight, possibly the weakest in Shankar’s career.

Performances:

Ram Charan delivers a dignified performance as Ram Nandan and shines in the flashback portions as Appanna, reminiscent of his Rangasthalam days. His efforts to rescue the film are evident. While his performance may not secure a National Award, fans will appreciate seeing the actor in him shine again. S.J. Suryah portrays a loud and over-the-top villain, occasionally worked on masses. Kiara Advani’s role is limited to commercial, offering little depth. Anjali’s character is surprising but underutilized, while Sunil’s mannerisms feel unnecessary. Srikanth, however, stands out with a fresh appearance and well-crafted performance.

Technical Aspects:

Dil Raju spared no expense, making this one of the most expensive films of his career. The grandeur is visible on screen, particularly in the ‘Jaragandi’ and ‘Thop’ songs, which are colorful and vibrant. Thaman’s background score is decent but occasionally loud. Action sequences are underwhelming, and the climax fight is weak. The omission of the high budget ‘Nana Hyraana’ song feels unfair, as its placement in the narrative seems challenging. Dialogues by Burra Sai Madhav shine in parts but falter in comedic segments, further exposing the film’s lack of humor.

Game Changer feels like a formulaic attempt from Shankar, lacking the uniqueness and innovation he is known for. While the film attempts to educate the audience about the powers of a collector and Chief Election Officer, these facts are easily accessible online. For a director of Shankar’s caliber, this is underwhelming. The second half is racy until Jaragandi Jaragandi song, and then slides down in pre-climax and climax scenes

Verdict:

“Game Changer” is a film with above-average content, and its success largely depends on the performances of other festival films. Charan’s presence and the grandeur of the production save this film to an extent. Shankar has crafted a relatively better second half compared to the first. The highlight of the film is the post-interval thirty minutes, where Charan delivers a standout performance as ‘Appanna’. “Game Changer” lacks the elements that would truly make it a game-changer.

Telugu360 Rating: 2.5/5

 

Director: S. Shankar
Cinematography:  Tirru
Music: Thaman S
Producer: Dil Raju
Production:Sri Venkateswara Creations