(3.9) People are going absolutely bonkers for this movie, with the common plea that everyone should only see it in a real movie theater on a big screen. Set during the British Raj of the 1920s, this is a fictitious story about two legendary heroes who fight bad guys and save children in peril. From the wildly enthusiastic NPR review:
You can currently see RRR on Netflix, and it’s a good enough movie that you’ll enjoy it. But if you can — and I’d urge local theaters to bring it back — you should see it on a big screen. For two reasons. First, Rajamouli is in love with the sheer bigness that makes movies so much grander than TV. Bursting with fights, rescues, wild animals, surging crowds, sadistic monsters, larger-than-life showdowns and mythic transformations, RRR is not a movie that leaves you asking for more. . . . RRR contains more exciting action scenes than all the Marvel movies put together.
Seth Meyers recently interviewed director S. S. Rajamouli saying,”I have never seen anything like this film, and my only regret is that I watched it at home on Netflix.” That segment includes a clip of outrageous action choreography. And while it appears that a press kit went out explaining that the title stands for “Rise, Roar, Revolt,” Mr. Rajamouli confesses to a rather different explanation.
More at the NYT review:
Rajamouli shoots the film’s action with hallucinogenic fervor, supercharging scenes with a shimmering brand of extended slow-motion and C.G.I. that feels less “generated” than unleashed. Here-to-there plot filler in “RRR” is instantly forgiven with each wild set-piece: Ram furiously tunneling through a hundred-strong mob outside his garrison, or the rumbling dance-off (the “Naatu Naatu” musical number) where Bheem and Ram giddily exhaust the British cads and delight the ladies.
The movie received an Oscar nomination in the Best Original Song category for “Naatu Naatu,” but it missed out on the other major categories despite strong campaigning.
Rated PG-13. Running time: 3 hours, 7 minutes. With subtitles. There is apparently an intermission, which is fine at the Columbus because they have a bar and everything.
The Columbus has two screenings on tap: Friday, March 3 and Thursday, March 9. Go here for tix.
GA $10, 7:30pm, March 3 & 9, Columbus Theatre, 270 Broadway, (directions)