Animal Movie Rating 

Director Sandeep Reddy Vanga, known for his successful films like “Kabir Singh” and “Arjun Reddy,” has struck gold again with his latest offering, “Animal.” The concept of “Alpha Male,” a figure influential in social and administrative spheres, takes center stage in this film. Reddy has once again embraced the intense style, this time featuring Ranbir Kapoor in a narrative filled with compelling violence and a son going to extremes for his father.

Plot Overview: Papa’s Devotion

The story revolves around Ranvijay Balveer Singh (Ranbir Kapoor), who becomes fanatically devoted to his father, Balveer Singh (Anil Kapoor). Balveer is a wealthy business tycoon in Delhi, the owner of Swastik Steel. Despite his immense success, Balveer finds it challenging to express love for Ranvijay due to his preoccupation with business. Ranvijay, deeply affected by this emotional neglect, goes to America. However, when he learns of an attempt on his father’s life, he returns with his family to seek revenge.

Alpha Male Narrative

The first half of the film delves into Ranbir and Geetanjali’s (Rashmika) love story, seamlessly integrating elements of Ranbir’s perspective on the preference for ‘Alpha Males’ in society. The narrative includes engaging scenes, from Ranbir’s valuable insights on entrepreneurship to the portrayal of action sequences with finesse.

As the second half unfolds, the focus shifts to the anticipated entry of Bobby Deol (Abarar), who captivates with his silent yet aggressive demeanor. The story between Ranbir and Abarar weaves a gripping tale that holds the audience’s attention. However, Ranbir’s character seems to lose some depth in the second half, and the film’s excessive length becomes apparent.

Performance and Cinematics

Ranbir Kapoor’s acting prowess shines through, reaffirming his status as a director’s actor. Despite his stellar performance, the film’s weak storyline and its three-hour-plus runtime hamper its impact. Rashmika and other female characters, despite their strong voices and ambitions, struggle to break through the patriarchal narrative dominated by Ranbir’s character.

Background Music and Realistic Action

The film’s background music and exceptional action sequences stand out as its strong points. The use of real steel in creating the 500-kilogram machine gun adds authenticity to the film. However, the lengthy runtime and some logical loopholes in the plot, such as the lack of police and administrative presence in the world Reddy has created, become apparent.

Conclusion

“Animal” offers a mix of intense drama, action, and a poignant father-son narrative. Despite its flaws, the film’s background score, action sequences, and Ranbir Kapoor’s performance make it a worthwhile watch for fans of the genre. However, the director’s attempt to answer questions about paternal love and the identity of the attacker in a three-hour-plus film may test the audience’s patience.

Movie Review By Hyder Ali Ashrafi