Tournament Play and Replay malayalam movie review
The film Tournament directed by actor cum director Lal is running in theaters and getting the mixed responses. The film is not satisfying all kinds of the viewers. But the innovative play and replay technique is testing in this film by Lal first time in Malayalam.
Tournament Play and Replay malayalam movie getting mixed responses
Casting of the Tournament
General about the film Tournament play and replay
Lal's new venture 'Tournament: Play and Replay' disappointed the most of viewers. 'Tournament: Play and Replay', Lal's third film released on 25th December, 2010 which is directed by him independently after his two succeeded films '2 Harihar Nagar' and 'In Ghost House Inn'. But the third one Tournament, which is a road movie with many new comers as leading characters. Even though, film has much diversity in direction as well as presentation, director failed to make satisfy the viewers. The film starts with the voice of director itself saying that the story is not about the tournament, but it is a tour to tournament. Most of the parts of the film are incidents happening in a journey through the road of four friends to Bangalore for attending Kochi IPL cricket team selection trial. About the Script
The script of the story is rare one from Lal, which is not focusing anywhere. But it is very clear about his aim which to make a road movie like thelugu hit film "Saroja" of Tamil Director Venkat Prabhu. In the the story of Saroja, she is kidnapped by somebody and wrong routed men friends , who were on the way to Hyderabad to watch a cricket match, are doing the rescue of kidnapped girl and ending with a brilliant climax. But here Lal failed to end such a way and film is moving without any aim.
Play-Replay technique is first time in Malayalam
Lal has took on a new format in this film called play- replay, which is really first time in Malayalam film. This is one interesting technique that means one scene will be replayed from different viewpoint after some several scenes. Lal had been used this technique in the full length of the film. But it is not good enough to save the film and to satisfy all kinds of viewers. There is nothing to feel the film is ecstatic except the good songs from Deepak Dev and magical themes of picturisation in the song visuals.
About the story
Mainly the movie tells the story of four friends Balu (John), Viswam (Fahad) and Usman (Pravin) and Bobby(Manu), who are about to attend the Kochi IPL cricket team selection trial in Bangalore and their friend Aswathy Alex. First half of the film, which is just interesting with three songs, is somewhat better than second half. In the first half Balu (John), gets hurt in an accident and he cannot go for the selection which is to be take place after one week. The other two Viswam (Fahad) and Usman (Pravin) missed their flight to Bangalore. Then their friend Aswathy suggests to go by road and she agrees to join on their way. The other guy Bobby(Manu) also joins them on the way later. Many incidents are happening on their way to Bangalore by a truck which is arranged as really funny. Driver (Kochu preman) and assistant ( biju kuttan) . In every short intervals on their way to Bangalore giving to viewers repetitive unexpected twists by popping up of new characters with interesting with comedies. As the viewers experienced with these unexpected turns in the first half, second half became very predictable and climax too changed as silly without any suspense. Plus points in the 'Tournament Play-Replay'
Play and Replay idea: Play and Replay idea gives a different pattern in the film for one single scene which is replaying from opposite viewpoint. It is an advanced approach from the great director Lal.
Editing Editing of film is deserves particularly mention notable one which is handled by V. Sajan.
Music and Visuals: Especially Super Melody 'Nila Nila' and rocking hit song 'heyooo everybody say' and 'Mayile Kuyile'from all are superb songs by Deepak Dev is really mesmerizing. And all song visuals and its innovative fast theme mode are to be mentioned and particularly appreciated.
Performance: Without feeling of debuting, all actors have done their portion perfect. Fahad Fazil better known Shanu is only the one who had some experience before. He handled his role better. The other focused fatty character 'Usman' is creating more jokes and made the film energetic. The free lance photographer character Aswathy Alex, played by Roopa Manjery who debuted in Malayalam through this film,was an extra attraction. She already was a heroine in a tamil film. She added the beauty of the film by her cute appearance. Kochu Preman and Biju kuttan became the part of the film with their usual comedies which was a console for the viewers. Character Bobby has done. Prajin who comes at the end of the film has given a distinctive appearance.
Camera: Superb and great cinematography is done by experienced man VenuDrawbacks
Story and Characterization: As story itself is a big flop there was no more scope for new comers to perform. Story does not carry anything to focus. It is moving on without any aspire and has nothing to discuss about it.
Climax: By revealing the twists in the first half itself, Lal failed to give shock to viewers through Climax which is ridiculous. It was really spoiled by the backfire of play-replay trick.
Bottom line: The film may not escape by surviving the challenges which is raised by the other superstar's recent Christmas released film like Dileep's Marykkundoru kunjadu, Mohanlal's Kandhahar and Mammootty's Best Actor.
Rating 3 out of 5
Tournament preview: The actor-Director Lal's thriller comedy movie is scheduled to release on 25th December
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