#90: RRR, a film by S.S. Rajamouli
Rise. Roar. Revolt.
Released: 2022 | Runtime: 3 hrs, 7 mins
This. Movie.
I heard the hype:
“…maximum cinema...” -Nitish Pahwa from Slate
“…relentlessly and joyously over the top…” -Beth Accomando from KPBS.org
“It went past 11 and blew out the amp. It went to 15.” -Avaryl Halley from Movie Bitches
“…crosses ridiculous and loops back around to earnest and powerful.” -Jennifer Heaton from Alternative Lens
I even had two trusted friends, Michael and Justin, text me in the same week telling me how incredible it was.
But nothing, NOTHING, could have prepared me for the experience of watching this movie. It took my out-of-this-world expectations and said: “Aim higher.”
I know 3 hours sounds like a lot, but I was never bored and didn’t want it to end.
Is it a perfect movie? Almost, but presenting any nitpicks against it would be like saying the statue of David is too tall or too naked.
Is it over the top, unrealistic, and does it go too far in places? Yes, but that is to the movie’s credit. Those are features, not bugs.
It is currently streaming on Netflix and I hope you’ll check it out.1 Don't watch a trailer first: Jump in, then let me know what you think!
If you have already watched it, read on for a few more thoughts.
Spoilers Ahead, Read On Only If You’ve Seen RRR
I love the word earnest and the idea of approaching life with sincere and intense conviction. It is the word that came to mind while watching these guys sing and dance together. Naatu Naatu is easily my favorite part of the movie and it’s not enough to watch the YouTube clip - you need everything leading up to the scene in order to get the full impact.
Bheem taking on the tiger with his bare hands and shirtless, Raju breaking the punching bag shirtless. All the fighting, sweating, flexing and masculine energy that then gets channeled into this physical dance number where they are hitting their moves so hard while smiling and singing.
And then to end it with a sweaty, dusty dance off! And to end that with Raju feigning injury so his friend can impress the lady! It was amazing. I loved it.
What were your favorite scenes? Let’s gush.
That’s all for now. Thanks for being here!
Kyle
Content warning: It is mostly about as violent as a PG-13 war movie such as The Lord of the Rings films, but does have a graphic whipping scene that earns the TV-MA rating.