Animal Movie Review: A Polarizing Cinematic Experience Redefining Boundaries

–A Review by Maitreya Pawar

“People who get easily triggered should stay away from this film.”

These words echo the anticipation and controversy surrounding Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s “Animal.” With an ‘A’ certificate and a runtime of 3 hours and 21 minutes, the film has generated unparalleled hype, boasting one of the biggest openings of 2023. The audience, including myself in a packed 9:30 a.m. show, embarked on a journey with little clue about how this narrative would unfold, a rarity in an era where trailers often reveal the entire plot.

The storyline dives into the intricate relationship between father and son, Balbir Singh and Ranvijay Singh, portrayed by Anil Kapoor and Ranbir Kapoor, respectively. The film captures the nuances of Indian household relationships between men—a blend of distance, fear, and boundless love.

The central narrative dissects Ranvijay’s relentless pursuit to protect his father, leading to a complex and violent narrative. It’s a story that delves deep into the turbulent dynamics of familial bonds, showcasing a profound yet twisted affection between the characters.

However, amidst the anticipation, “Animal” has courted controversy. The film’s unapologetic approach and contentious themes have sparked discussions, leaving audiences divided. The runtime, although integral to the narrative, occasionally feels stretched, leading to pacing issues, particularly in the latter half.

Tripti Dimri’s character introduction feels out of place, and the story slows down until some information is shared. I think the details revealed could have been gathered more easily by Ranbir and his team, making Tripti’s role seem forced. Instead of this, exploring the Swastik Corporation’s family feud and its history would have added more value to the film. In my opinion, the film could have benefited from focusing on these aspects rather than introducing Tripti Dimri’s character in this way.

This diversion also means that Bobby’s character gets somewhat sidelined, missing out on the depth and exploration that could have enriched the overall storytelling. 

I feel the demon presence of Bobby Deol has so much potential. Bobby looks batshit crazy in each frame he features in, and he is an embodiment of evil with respect to the dirty and despicable acts he commits, so one really had the potential to showcase him as a force that cannot be stopped. Bobby doesn’t miss a beat, but I think the screen time left him slightly dirty.

Yet, despite its flaws, the movie’s musical brilliance stands out. Tracks like “Arjun Vailly” and “Papa Meri Jaan” emotionally anchor pivotal moments, adding depth to the intense storyline.

A special shout-out to the song Haiwaan. I literally had goosebumps as Ranbir collected his Avengers from the tabbar and brought them along to the palace in Range Rovers. You know, they were the ride-or-die men who were going to fight tooth and nail for this family. The music really had a profound positive impact on the holistic quality of the film, as it essentially explored the themes and relationships shared between characters in this pursuit.

The film also boasts a stellar cast, with Rashmika Mandanna, Anil Kapoor, and Bobby Deol delivering noteworthy performances.

Anil Kapoor is also brilliant in this film; his constant tussle of apathy for a child and a lack of emotional vulnerability as he makes his work a priority are brilliantly communicated. The opening trailer sequence that has become the talk of the town is as effective in the film as it is in the trailer.

Gruesome violence and an exceptional interval block make the film A-rated and 100% I say this with absolute conviction: this film is not meant for the squeamish or sensitive. If you are easily triggered by violence, you need to stay away from this film because there’s no hold. It’s an understatement, actually, when you look at the carnage and bloodshed executed throughout the film by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, which sets the tone when Ranbir is in school.

One can consider this to be an homage to Kabir Singh, but just on steroids, the score as Ranbir goes with his army to annihilate a threat just made the crowd erupt in my theater. I cannot tell you how engaging and thrilling the first half of Animal was, and Sandeep really created the best character, Arc, from a delinquent teenager to a vengeful warrior. This is a combination of both setting up the motivation for the character and providing insight into how his personality has become this way and who he loves and resents in the family. Dynamic This is done so well that you are willing to support Ranbir’s bloody journey of revenge. This culminates in such an exceptional manner in the interval block, which has to go down as one of the best choreographed action set pieces from Hindi cinema in a long time, and you know why it is effective because each movement is carried out by the actor himself, and even though the action choreography commences with many jump cuts, what is beautiful is that Sandeep choreographs each punch blow or gunshot to the music.

This is what you will feel throughout this film. This dichotomy makes you feel uncomfortable in this civilized world we live in today, but Vanga has basically transported you to a period epic where there are warring empires deceiving within family families and the women within them are torn apart. The hiccup only happens if you prefer. Are you someone who believes violence should be the last refuge? Then this saga is not for you. If you go the Tarantino route and just love a gory blood bath because it’s fun, then this is that and more. I wish the animal was slightly more crisp on the editing table, but this is a bloodbath with such contentious social topics that you may have never seen in Indian cinema.