Review: Eagle

Headline: Lavish scale 

Plot:

An uncompromising journalist named Nalini (Anupama Parameswaran) writes about a rare cotton grown in an area in the Talakona jungles. The news item becomes a storm when investigative agencies decide to interrogate her to discover how she came to know about it. Intrigued by the undue importance attached to the report by frantic authorities, Nalini sets out to the place where a benefactor of cotton farmers, named Sahadev Varma (Ravi Teja), lives. It is revealed that Sahadev is a dangerous local figure who is also the most-wanted assassin in the world. A professional sniper with unreal calibre, he holds some deadly secrets.

Performances:

Ravi Teja`s performance attains crescendo in the action sequences. Thanks to slick cinematography and robust action choreography, he looks awesome in some shots. The get-up is another major draw.

The film doesn`t belong to anybody else other than its hero, to put it frankly. Anupama is better than Kavya Thapar, who plays an underwritten role in a romantic track. Srinivas Avasarala as a sleuth is not believable. Madhoobala`s role is inspired by the `KGF` lady who is seated in a room talking about the hero and hero alone. Ajay Ghosh and Srinivas Reddy elicit laughs because the director decided to use them for dark humour. `HanuMan` fame Vinay Rai has an emotional part and is thankfully not typecast. Praneeta Patnaik of `Care Of Kancharapalem` fame is average in the role of a Naxalite. Surya is seen as another Naxalite.

Technical Departments:

Music: Davzand`s style is unoriginal. The songs are underwhelming. The background music is apt, though.

Cinematography: One of the biggest strengths of the movie.

Production Design: Among the best from People Media Factory.

Action Choreography: Done with care although the pattern is not novel.

Analysis:

Ravi Teja`s character is inspired by a fugitive-like personality in South America. Director Karthik Ghattamneni read about his hill-dwelling man about whose existence even those living around the hill were not aware of until a news report spoke about him. In `Eagle`, the reporter is Anupama and the mystery man is the hero. 

The inspiration from `KGF` is so pronounced that the audience are put off after a point. The only relief is that dialogue-writer Manibabu Karanam infuses the script with little gems here and there. Otherwise, the film would have been a sorry `KGF` rehash.

The second half is where the film sheds its dryness and acquires a degree of freshness. The place in which Sahadev lives is designed to feel like a fort that can`t be invaded.

Plus Points:

1. The scale of production.

2. The lead-up to `Eagle 2`.

3. The second half (barring a few desperately insipid moments).

4. Unapologetically rich visuals.

5. The design of the soundscape is stunning.

Minus Points:

1. The first half is not only soulless but also has no highs.

2. Loaning the narrative style from `KGF`.

3. Improper fleshing out of some characters.

Rating: 2.5