Reviews

Review: Luckkunnodu – No Luck for hit pair this time

Cast: Manchu Vishnu, Hansika Motwani

Director: Raaja Kiran

Producer: MVV Satyanarayana

Banner: MVV Cinema

Music Directors: Achu Rajamani & Praveen Lakkaraju

Hit Pair Manchu Vishnu and Haniska teamed up for the third time for Luckkunnodu. The movie has hit the screens today on the eve of Republic day. Let us see how it is:

Story:

Lucky (Manchu Vishnu) is a happy-go lucky guy, who wastes times for all the day. But his dad Bhaktavatsalam (Jaya Prakash) treats him as unlucky guy as he faces all problems from the time Lucky was born. Lucky’s father develops hatred on him and stopped talking with him also. Saddened with his father’s behavior, Lucky decides to make his father happy with love.

One fine day, Lucky comes across Positive Padma (Hansika) and the duo fall for each other within no time. One fine day, Lucky was given a bag of 25 crores, and he realises that the bag belongs to a criminal JK (MVV Satyanarayana).

What did Lucky do with the bag? What did JK do to get back the bag? Did Lucky change his father’s attitude towards him? What happens to Lucky-Padma’s love story? Forms the rest of the film’s story.

Positive Aspects:

Manchu Vishnu’s performance is major highlight of the film. Hansika looks like a baby doll and too glamorous in songs. The interval block of the movie is a major relief which raises hopes on the second half. Posani Krishna Murali is entertaining in his comic role and succeeded in bringing few good laughs.

Luckunnodu begins off with an interesting aspect of money robbery. And the story shifts to some other place introducing the protagonist. Playing a safe game, the film unit has followed the usual success formula for this movie. The second half starts well with good scenes.

The production values maintained by MVV Cinema are rich. The cinematography by PG Vinda is a highlight of the movie. The dialogues written by Diamond Ratna Babu are good. The artwork is nice. The fights are okay. Overall, the technical team is strong. The beginning titles were presented on a 2000 rupees note in an impressive manner. Mohan Babu's special appearance in the first song was good.

Negative Aspects:

There is nothing new in the characterization of hero. MVV Satyanarayana as a villain is miscasting. The director has developed an old illogical script by including routine fun/comedy elements. The first half of the film moves forward with no story happening. The editing by Madhu could have been crispy.

In this movie Luckkunnodu, Jayaprakash hates his son (played by Vishnu) just because bad luck keeps on coming to him after Vishnu's birth and comes to a conclusion that son is the reason for that. There was never a justification given to this point.

The screenplay was completely let down by a poorly written script. The comedy elements added to the script neither helped nor destroyed the film's flow. The actual point was that they fail to fit in this scenario.

Verdict:

Luckkunnodu is a routine and regular boring film that comes as a comic drama. Watch it when it is telecasted on TV.

Rating: 2.75/5

Review: Nenu Local – A fun filled ride apt for the young generation

Cast: Nani, Keerthy Suresh

Director: Trinadha Rao Nakkina

Producer: Dil Raju

Banner: Sri Venkateswara Creations

Music: Devi Sri Prasad

After 3 back to back impressive films Krishna Gaadi Veera Prema Gaadha, Majnu and Gentleman in 2016, Nani is back with a romantic feel good love story Nenu Local. The film is written and directed by Trinadha Rao Nakkina and produced by Dil Raju Prasad under Sri Venkateswara Creations. Keerthy Suresh plays the female lead role.

Well, Nani is in a dream spell with all his recent films turning out to be blockbusters. Will he keep the winning streak intact with Nenu Local too? Let’ see now.

Story:

Babu (Nani) is a happy go lucky guy and has been backed by his parents. After completion of his graduation, he comes across Keerthy (Keerthy Suresh) and falls for her. He immediately joins MBA to woo her but his surprising acts irk Keerthy and her family.

Finally as the time passes by she falls for him, but her father (Sachin Khedekar) turns against. During this phase, Babu challenges Keerthy’s dad. The rest of the story is all about the challenge between Nani and Keerthy’s father and how Nani manages to win his love.

Positive Aspects:

We know Nani as a natural yet exceptional actor and he displays his acting prowess once again. He could pull off a normal story with unique antics and dialogue delivery. The movie may not be a plus for him but he is definitely a plus for the film! Posani offers good comedy in the film after Nani. He generated great laughter with his comedy timing. Posani’s punches in the first half work well.

Trinadha Rao sketched his first half exceptionally well with his mark love story and sensibilities same as Cinema Choopistha Mava. The placement of the key twist in the pre-interval block was predictable yet impressive. The love scenes between Keerthy and Nani could satisfy youth and a section of the audience, who wants to see Nani’s lovable side. The pre-climax portion is the better part of the film.

Keerthy gets a plum role to play and has done an outstanding impressive show, a performance that is largely satisfying but there are places where she could have a teenage college girl. Devi Sri Prasad heads the music department. The film consists of 5 numbers, all passable ones but the background was very effective. It was energetic and suited the mood very well. Background scores complement the emotions and moods of the sequences. True to his reputation, Devi Sri Prasad has entwined a musical fairy tale.

The editing is good. Nizar Shafi’s cinematography provided the grandness to the visuals. Cinematographer Nizar Shafi has portrayed the right kind of atmosphere for this rom-com entertainer. He has added class and finesse to the frames through his work. Production values by Dil Raju are top notch.

The first half is fun and pretty engaging. It had a good mix of comedy and satire. Vennela Kishore, Saptagiri and Posani Krishna Murali contribute well to the movie’s comedy. Though very predictable, the interval block is interesting and well-timed too. The second half stretches too far and it is even harder to watch since it follows a usual love story pattern. A fresh screenplay could have made the end product look taut.

Negative Aspects:

You eventually get what you expect from a total romantic comedy. In the first half, the jokes fly fast and sometimes very funny. The second half picks up and it gets flat towards the end of the movie. The last 30 minutes look very hurried and could have been better. It loses shape mainly because it blends its fun elements with not so impactful emotions.

Verdict:

On the whole, Nani can make your time worthwhile in this teenage love story! And Nani’s natural and energetic performance takes the film to soaring heights. Watch it to immerse in Nani’s natural Magic.

Rating: 3.5/5