Animal Movie Review: “Animal” is an Indian action thriller directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, featuring a stellar cast including Ranbir Kapoor, Anil Kapoor, Rashmika Mandanna, and Parineeti Chopra. The film was released on 1 Dec 2023. Initial impressions suggest that “Animal” promises to be a gripping tale with intense performances and high-octane action.
Plot Summary
Without giving away spoilers, “Animal” revolves around the complex relationships within a crime family. Ranbir Kapoor’s character navigates through a web of loyalty, betrayal, and revenge, all set against the backdrop of a ruthless underworld. The film explores themes of power, family, and redemption, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats with its unpredictable twists and turns.
Character Analysis
Main Character
Ranbir Kapoor delivers a powerhouse performance as the lead character, bringing depth and intensity to his role. His portrayal of a conflicted individual caught between familial duties and personal vendettas is compelling and nuanced.
Anil Kapoor shines in his role, adding a layer of gravitas and experience to the ensemble. His interactions with Ranbir Kapoor’s character are particularly noteworthy, showcasing a dynamic range of emotions.
Rashmika Mandanna and Parineeti Chopra provide strong supporting performances, each adding their unique touch to the story. Their character arcs are well-developed and contribute significantly to the overall narrative.
Cast Name
- Ranbir Kapoor in a dual role as
- Ranvijay “Vijay” Singh
- Ahmad Ibn Umar as young Ranvijay
- Aziz Haque, Abrar’s Younger Brother
- Anil Kapoor in a dual role as
- Balbir Singh
- Kailash Petkar
- Bobby Deol as Abrar Haque
- Leon Ung as young Abrar
- Rashmika Mandanna as Geetanjali Iyengar Singh
- Diyara Valecha as young Geetanjali
- Triptii Dimri as Zoya
- Charu Shankar as Jyoti Singh, Ranvijay’s mother
- Shakti Kapoor as PK Mishra, COO of Swastik Steels Corporation
- Prem Chopra as Dalbir Dodamal Singh “Bade Daji”, Ranvijay’s granduncle
- Babloo Prithiveeraj as Asrar Haque, Abrar Abid and Aziz’s first brother
- Saurabh Sachdeva as Abid Haque, Abrar and Aziz’s second brother
- Madhu Raja as Rani Kaur “Beeji”, Dalbir Singh’s wife
- Suresh Oberoi as Rajdheer Dodamal Singh “Dadaji”, Ranvijay’s grandfather
- Saloni Batra as Reet Singh Malhotra, Ranvijay’s elder sister
- Neeven Ved as young Reet
- Anshul Chauhan as Roop Singh, Ranvijay’s younger sister
- Eva Chibber as young Roop
- Siddhant Karnick as Varun Pratap Malhotra, Reet’s husband and Ranvijay’s brother-in-law
- Maganti Srinath as Karthik Iyengar, Geetanjali’s brother
- Upendra Limaye as Freddy Wilfred Patil
- Mathew Varghese as Professor Shreepad Balaji Iyengar, Karthik and Geetanjali’s father
- Indira Krishnan as Motika Iyengar, Karthik and Geetanjali’s mother
- Kunal Thakur as Ahaan, Geetanjali’s fiancé
- Mrinmayee Godbole as Dr. Amrita
- Davy Grewal as Sangram Singh
- Vivek Sharma as Paali Singh
- Gagandeep Singh as Sunny Singh
- Kawalpreet Singh as Vikram Singh
- Amanjot Singh as Guru Singh
- Manjot Singh as Rajbir “Royal” Singh
- Avdeep Sindhu as Manjot Singh
- Kamaljeet Rana as Balli Singh
- Gursewak Singh Mander as Kirpal “KP” Singh
- Butta Badbar as Butta Singh
- Shabana Haroon as Niloofar Rahmani, first wife of Abrar Haque
- Safina Shah as Mehrunnisa Baig, second wife of Abrar Haque
- Mansi Taxak as Umm-e-Hani Fareen, third wife of Abrar Haque
- Tannaz Davoodi as Shirin Bahar, singer in the song “Jamal Kudu”
- Avi Rakheja as Roop’s husband
- Sanvir Sachdeva as Abhay Singh, Ranvijay’s son
- Myreen Grover as Ranvijay’s daughter
- Sartaaj Kakkar as Reet’s son
Direction and Screenplay
Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s direction is intense and captivating, staying true to his signature style. The screenplay is tightly woven, with a structure that keeps the audience engaged from start to finish. Vanga’s use of narrative techniques, such as flashbacks and foreshadowing, adds depth to the storyline.
Cinematography and Visuals
The cinematography by “Amit Roy” is visually stunning, with meticulous attention to detail. The use of color and lighting enhances the film’s mood, creating a visually immersive experience. Standout scenes include [mention specific scenes], which are particularly striking in their execution.
Music and Sound Design
The soundtrack, composed by Pritam, JAM8, Vishal Mishra, Jaani, Manan Bhardwaj, Shreyas Puranik, Ashim Kemson and Harshavardhan Rameshwar, complements the film’s intense atmosphere. The background score elevates the tension and drama, while the songs, such as “Saari Duniya Jalaa Denge“, add emotional depth. The sound design effectively enhances the viewing experience, making the action sequences and dramatic moments more impactful.
Action Sequences
The action choreography in “Animal” is top-notch, with meticulously executed stunts and fight scenes. Standout action sequences include “enjoy the first half with brilliant BGM, Action And ranbir kapoor’s”, which are both thrilling and visually spectacular. The intensity and realism of these sequences add to the film’s overall impact.
The action sequences in “Animal” are meticulously crafted, showcasing high-quality choreography and execution. Sandeep Reddy Vanga, known for his intense storytelling, brings a unique flair to the action scenes, making them integral to the film’s narrative.
Detailed Review of the Action Choreography and Execution:
The action choreography in “Animal” stands out for its realism and intensity. The fight scenes are well-coordinated, with each movement carefully planned to enhance the drama and tension. The use of practical effects over CGI adds a raw and gritty feel to the sequences, making them more immersive and believable. The stunts are daring and executed flawlessly, showcasing the physical prowess of the actors, particularly Ranbir Kapoor.
Highlight of Standout Action Scenes or Stunts:
Opening Fight Sequence: The film starts with a bang, featuring a high-octane fight scene that sets the tone for the rest of the movie. Ranbir Kapoor’s character is introduced in a brutal hand-to-hand combat sequence, showcasing his agility and strength. The choreography here is tight, with quick cuts and fluid movements that draw the audience in immediately.
Car Chase Scene: One of the film’s highlights is a thrilling car chase through the crowded streets of [City]. The scene is a masterclass in action direction, with high-speed maneuvers, near-misses, and intense crashes that keep viewers on the edge of their seats. The cinematography during this sequence, with its dynamic camera angles and rapid editing, adds to the adrenaline rush.
Climactic Showdown: The final showdown is a visual spectacle, combining various elements of action—hand-to-hand combat, gunfights, and explosive stunts. The setting, choreography, and pacing of this scene make it a memorable conclusion to the film. The emotional stakes are high, and the action reflects the desperation and determination of the characters involved.
Contribution of Action Sequences to the Film’s Intensity and Thrill:
The action sequences in “Animal” are not just about spectacle; they significantly contribute to the film’s overall intensity and thrill. Each action scene is carefully woven into the narrative, advancing the plot and deepening the characters’ arcs. The stakes are always high, and the visceral nature of the combat underscores the film’s themes of survival and retribution.
Moreover, the action sequences enhance the emotional impact of the story. For instance, the personal vendettas and rivalries are expressed through brutal confrontations, making the audience feel the characters’ pain and anger. The combination of high-paced action and emotional depth ensures that viewers are not only entertained but also invested in the outcome of the characters’ journeys.
In conclusion, the action sequences in “Animal” are a testament to the film’s high production values and the director’s vision. They are thrilling, intense, and integral to the film’s success, making “Animal” a standout action thriller in recent times.
Themes and Messages
“Animal” delves into themes of power, loyalty, and redemption. The film also touches on social and emotional undertones, exploring the complexities of family dynamics and the consequences of one’s actions. These themes are seamlessly integrated into the story, making the film not just an action thriller but also a thought-provoking drama.
Audience Reception and Box Office Performance
Initial audience reactions have been overwhelmingly positive, praising the film’s performances, direction, and action sequences. “Animal” has made a strong debut at the box office, with impressive opening numbers and positive word-of-mouth driving its success.
Animal Movie Review
“Animal” has garnered a mix of positive and enthusiastic reactions from audiences and critics alike. Viewers have praised the film for its intense performances, particularly by Ranbir Kapoor, whose portrayal of the lead character has been described as powerful and captivating. The film’s direction by Sandeep Reddy Vanga has also been lauded for its bold and uncompromising approach.
Critics have highlighted the movie’s strong screenplay, well-executed action sequences, and emotional depth. The chemistry between the main cast members, including Anil Kapoor, Rashmika Mandanna, and Parineeti Chopra, has received positive feedback for adding layers to the story. Some reviews, however, noted the film’s violence and dark themes, suggesting it may not be suitable for all viewers.
Aarav Patel
“Animal” a movie from which i expected a lot (as people were saying its going to change indian cinema) It is a nice movie you can go to thetere grab some popcorns enjoy the first half with brilliant BGM, Action And ranbir kapoor’s amazing acting skills that Adranline rush just amazing the story was also going nice. As the second half starts the action starts fading away and people starts having full conversion that you barely see in first half Some of the dilogues in the movie are very nicely written medical terms used very aptly that dilogue about swastik and Nazi symbol (detailing)Amazing!!Ranbir(Vijay):He is a phenomenal actor he really make you fall in love with him when he is on screen though some things which he does seems unrealistic
Rashmika (Geetanjali): she did a nice job being a “wife” her character was very important for film and according to me she played it convincingly
Anil kapoor (Balbir singh):He was well casted for this role. He portrayed the feeling of helplessness when somebody over loves u & their love starts becoming toxic to everybody around but You can’t really do anything about it very nicely.
Boby Deol( Abrab) :u barely see him on screen but when he is on then you’ll not see anyone not even ranbir his body his aura everything was impeccable.
Story: when we go to watch a hyped movie as an audience we expect to watch something new or Extraordinary but it was nothing like that.I felt director just mixed old bollywood and Tollywood with a touch of modern BGM Action and nice cinematography thats it Overall a mediocre film
I Hope indian youth and audience will see it as entertainment only nothing beyond that!!it’s a story where you’ll experience Gutsy love between Son & Father, Husband &wife, Brother & Sister, in a raw manner.Vanga has some weird and different perspective of women as we can see it in kabir singh alsoalso Misoginystic as always
610 people found this helpful.Amber Rastogi
“Animal” a movie from which i expected a lot (as people were saying its going to change indian cinema) It is a nice movie you can go to theatre grab some popcorns enjoy the first half with brilliant BGM, Action And ranbir kapoor’s amazing acting skills that Adrenaline rush just amazing the story was also going nice. As the second half starts the action starts fading away and people starts having full conversion that you barely see in first half Some of the dialogues in the movie are very nicely written medical terms used very aptly that dilogue about swastik and Nazi symbol (detailing)Amazing!!Ranbir(Vijay):He is a phenomenal actor he really make you fall in love with him when he is on screen though some things which he does seems unrealistic
Rashmika (Geetanjali): she did a nice job being a “wife” her character was very important for film and according to me she played it convincingly
Anil kapoor (Balbir singh):He was well casted for this role. He portrayed the feeling of helplessness when somebody over loves u & their love starts becoming toxic to everybody around but You can’t really do anything about it very nicely.
Boby Deol(Abrar) :u barely see him on screen but when he is on then you’ll not see anyone not even ranbir his body his aura everything was impeccable.
Story: when we go to watch a hyped movie as an audience we expect to watch something new or Extraordinary but it was nothing like that.I felt director just mixed old bollywood and Tollywood with a touch of modern BGM Action and nice cinematography thats it Overall a mediocre film
I Hope indian youth and audience will see it as entertainment only nothing beyond that!!it’s a story where you’ll experience Gutsy love between Son & Father, Husband &wife, Brother & Sister, in a raw manner.Vanga has some weird and different perspective of women as we can see it in kabir singh is also Misogynistic as always
Conclusion
“Animal” is a gripping and intense action thriller that excels in many areas. Its strengths lie in the powerful performances, particularly by Ranbir Kapoor, and the expert direction by Sandeep Reddy Vanga. The film’s visuals, music, and action sequences are also standout elements. While it has a few minor weaknesses, overall, “Animal” is a must-watch for fans of the genre.
Recommendations
“Animal” is ideal for fans of action thrillers and those who appreciate strong performances and intense storytelling. It is suitable for mature audiences due to its violent and intense scenes, making it a great choice for a thrilling movie night.
Personal Thoughts
Personally, I found “Animal” to be a compelling and engaging film. It met my expectations with its powerful performances and gripping narrative. The film’s exploration of complex themes and relationships added depth to the action-packed storyline, making it a memorable watch.
Comparisons
Compared to Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s previous work, such as “Kabir Singh,” “Animal” stands out with its darker and more intense tone. It also differentiates itself from other films in the genre with its complex character dynamics and emotional depth. What sets “Animal” apart is its unique blend of high-octane action and thought-provoking drama, making it a standout film in contemporary Indian cinema.
