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**L2: Empuraan – A Grand yet Flawed Cinematic Experience**
Having watched the much-hyped Malayalam film “L2: Empuraan,” I understand why it promises such a massive turnout, potentially reaching a 300 crore audience. The film’s predecessor, which I watched during lockdown, was a good movie, despite its length issues. Now with Part Two, which is also three hours long, I hoped director Prithviraj’s vision would justify the time.
Watching L2: Empuraan, I was astounded by its technical brilliance and visual grandeur. The standard feels international, with top-notch cinematography and stunning visuals. But are these elements alone sufficient to deem a movie perfect? Truthfully, I find L2: Empuraan to be a below-average film primarily catered to the Malayalam-speaking audience.
For those familiar with the first part, this movie may not fall strictly into the commercial category. Despite going in with low expectations after the first installment, the only relief comes in the form of Prithviraj’s childhood backstory, which offers some solid groundwork. However, the plot suffers thereafter, losing coherence as it prioritizes showcase over substance.
The film spans three lengthy hours, half of which seems dedicated to showcasing helicopters and choppers in dramatic slow-motion. This deliberate pacing proves tedious, overshadowing the storyline. Malayalam cinema fans might find joy in the pristine aesthetics and visuals, but that’s where the appeal ends.
When comparing the politics and mastermind strategies in this sequel to its predecessor, it feels disconnected and uninspired, almost as if watching a feigned act. Despite the return of Mohanlal, whose entrance jolts a sense of excitement, the film’s dragged pacing overtakes his screen presence. His character spends the majority of the film in a sleek black blazer, reminiscent of a stylish diplomat.
L2: Empuraan features a couple of well-executed action sequences, guaranteed to provide the audience with some value for their tickets. However, storyline expectations fall short across its protracted run-time, especially outside Kerala, forcing audiences to grapple with its monotonous length.
While applauding Mohanlal and the rest of the crew for the artistic achievement seems justified, the narrative fails to uphold their efforts. I genuinely appreciate Malayalam cinema and have celebrated its good films wholeheartedly. Yet, this time around, I find myself disillusioned with L2: Empuraan in its attempt to cater universally.
In conclusion, for Malayalam cinema to capture the pan-Indian stage effectively, filmmakers must craft compelling, high-stakes scripts akin to Telugu cinema’s grand narratives. A sequel to movies with crossover appeal, like “Aayirathil Oruvan,” could demonstrate Malayalam cinema’s potential to leverage the pan-Indian platform significantly.
I rate L2: Empuraan 2 out of 5 stars, applauding Prithviraj for his efforts, but acknowledging that it doesn’t quite deliver the promise.
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