Liger Movie Review
Liger Movie Review
TELUGU360 RATING 2.5/5
Story :
Karimnagar resident Balamani (Ramya Krishna) wants her son Liger ( Vijay ) to become a national champion in Martial arts. The mother-son duo move to Mumbai to pursue their life ambition. Macho man Liger initially concentrates on his career dream but gets distracted when in love with Taniya ( Ananya Panday). The rest of the film deals with the dispute between the lead couple, the World MMA championship in Las Vegas, and finally the Kidnaping event in USA episodes.
Analysis:
Puri Jagan takes off the film in a promising manner, however, the impression fizzles as he delivers very predictable stuff scene after another. Vijay’s characterization stands out in the first half while the terribly written Taniya ( Ananya Panday) – Liger ( Vijay ) love thread plays the spoilsport.
As in a typical sports film template, Liger deals with the ambitious hero. In the training phase, the director downplays him as an underdog. Vijay’s clash with rich counterparts and typical love track episodes are very predictable stuff from Puri Jagan and the team. Given the nationwide buzz, this film got from the beginning, this monotonous script and lackluster direction is unacceptable. Despite predictable narration, the first half is still able to watch. The conflict point between the lead couple is awful; the eventual justification for the conflict is laughable.
We can call out this film’s love track as one of the worst in Puri Jagan’s career. He has the capability of delivering engaging threads, and characterization with ease. That strength of Puri Jagan is amiss in Liger.
Once the hero Liger becomes the national champion, the story goes over the top. Liger gets an invitation to the international championship, Ali helps the cause, and Chunkey Panday sponsors the trip as such scenes are silly. By pre-climax, the film sounds like a comedy film rather than an inspiring sports one. The climax episode with Mike Tyson is a colossal waste of time, money, and energy of all involved persons. Ramya Krishna’s characterization is good in the first half, but the over-the-top antics in the second half unbearable.
A great opportunity to continue the pan-Indian Telugu film’s success streak is missed by Puri Jagan. His typical strengths are no longer visible. Maybe it is high time to get rid of his ‘ Deyyalu ‘ (If exists) and ‘ Focus ‘!
Performances:
Evidently, Vijay Deverakonda has put enormous effort in bodybuilding, to dub as a stammering character, and mainly to act in this tougher role. His fights are excellent, and so is the dance in Coka Song & Akdi Pakdi . Full marks to the hero and the director in this aspect.
Ananya Panday looks Okay but due to the awfully written Taniya role, the audience get irritated every time she appears on the screen. Ronit Roy as MMS coach is good. Ramya character is a mixed bag. Getup Srinu role fails to evoke humor. Chunky Panday , Ali play other characters. Vishu Reddy as Sanju is a good fit.
Dharma Productions & Puri Connects production values are good.
Positives:
– The solid screen presence of Vijay Deverakonda
– Mass appealing dialogues here and there
– Coka , Akdi Pakdi songs
Negatives:
– Terrible love track
– Overaction to Ramyakrishna role
-Highly predictable sports template
– Farcical second half
Verdict:
‘ Liger ‘ is a missed opportunity. Vijay Devarakonda did all the hard work, and his screen presence and performance are very good. Director Puri Jagan has poorly executed the script and failed to put up engaging scenes. Vijay Fans and mass film lovers can try this film!
TELUGU360 RATING 2.5/5
Release date: 25 August 2022 (India)
Director: Puri Jagannadh
Produced by: Karan Johar; Puri Jagannadh; Charmme Kaur; Apoorva Mehta; Hiroo Yash Johar
Production companies: Dharma Productions; Puri Connects
Music director: Vikram Montrose, Tanishk Bagchi, Sunil Kashyap
Cast : Vijay Deverakonda, Ananya Panday, Ramya Krishnan,Myke Tyson
