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| Animal movie review (Ranbir Kapoor) image credit X |
Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Animal is an ambitious yet chaotic blend of family drama and testosterone-fueled action, attempting to explore complex emotions through a blood-soaked lens. With Ranbir Kapoor at its helm, the film had immense potential to carve a fresh path for Hindi action dramas. However, its overindulgence in hyper-masculinity and lack of a coherent narrative diminish its impact.
A Promising Premise Undermined by Execution
At the heart of Animal is Vijay (Ranbir Kapoor), a son desperate for his father’s (Anil Kapoor) approval and love. When his father is attacked, Vijay's suppressed emotions erupt, driving him into a relentless quest for vengeance. The film positions itself as a modern-day Godfather but fails to capture the nuanced psychological tension that defined such classics. Instead, it prioritizes style over substance, delivering an excessive runtime of 3 hours and 21 minutes filled with gore, clichéd machismo, and problematic portrayals of relationships.
Characterization: A Missed Opportunity
The core conflict—the father-son relationship—remains underexplored. Vijay’s motivations, though rooted in familial discord, lack depth and clarity. While Ranbir Kapoor delivers a powerhouse performance, embodying rage and vulnerability with raw intensity, the script offers little to justify his character’s extreme actions. Anil Kapoor and Bobby Deol, despite their potential, are relegated to mere spectators, while Rashmika Mandanna’s Geetanjali is reduced to a submissive character with stilted dialogues.
The romantic subplot between Vijay and Geetanjali further highlights the film’s skewed portrayal of relationships. Vijay’s toxic traits are romanticized, creating discomfort rather than connection. Dialogues like “Don’t call me bhaiyya, I don’t have brotherly feelings for you” aim for edgy humor but come off as tone-deaf.
The Glorification of Violence and Masculinity
Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s directorial style leans heavily on glorifying the alpha male archetype, as seen in his previous works. Animal takes this to new extremes, reveling in gratuitous violence and testosterone-fueled theatrics. While some action sequences, like the Ranbir-Bobby hand-to-hand combat, are visually gripping, they feel like interruptions rather than integral parts of the story.
Technical Merits and Ranbir Kapoor’s Brilliance
Despite its narrative flaws, Animal shines in certain technical aspects. The background score and cinematography amplify the film’s intense tone, while the fight choreography is noteworthy. Yet, the film’s true highlight is Ranbir Kapoor. His ability to delve into the psyche of a deeply troubled character is remarkable, making Vijay’s anger and pain palpable. His performance in the climactic scene alone is worth the ticket price, showcasing his unparalleled range as an actor.
A Missed Opportunity for Hindi Cinema
Animal could have been a groundbreaking film, blending action with psychological depth. Instead, it falters under the weight of its ambitions, delivering a narrative that is more swagger than soul. While Ranbir Kapoor’s performance elevates the film, the lack of a strong script and meaningful character arcs leave it as a missed opportunity.
In the end, Animal is a stark reminder that even the finest actors need scripts that match their caliber. Ranbir Kapoor proves his mettle once again, but this Animal needed more than raw intensity to truly roar.