Release Date : January 26, 2024
123telugu.com Rating : 2.75/5
Starring: Dhanush, Shiva Rajkumar, Priyanka Arul Mohan, Sundeep Kishan, Nivedhithaa Sathish, Elango Kumaravel, Kaali Venkat, Bose Venkat
Director: Arun Matheswaran
Producers: Sendhil Thyagarajan, Arjun Thyagarajan
Music Director: G. V. Prakash Kumar
Cinematographer: Siddhartha Nuni
Editor: Nagooran Ramachandran
Related Links : Trailer
Star actor Dhanush and director Arun Matheswaran collaborated for Captain Miller, the first part of a three-part action-adventure film. Initially released in Tamil during Sankranthi, the film has hit big screens today in Telugu. Check out our review to know how it is.
Story:
Set in the pre-Independence era, Agneeswara (Dhanush) belongs to a lower caste in a village. He joins the British Army just to earn respect. However, he regrets fighting his own people and leaves the army after killing the General. Later, he joins a revolutionary group and fights the British Army, which takes away the 600-year-old precious idol from his village. Did Captain Miller retrieve it? What made Agneeswara kill the British General? Who is Bhanumathi (Priyanka Arul Mohan), and how is she connected to the story? What transformed Agneeswara into Captain Miller? The movie will unfold the answers.
Plus Points:
Dhanush, a recipient of the National Award, once again immerses himself in his character, delivering a polished performance with effective emotional expressions, especially in action sequences.
Kannada star Shiva Rajkumar and Tollywood actor Sundeep Kishan shine in their respective roles, showcasing brilliance despite the limited screen time.
The well-crafted action sequences, particularly during the interval and climax, captivate the audience, and the music significantly contributes to the overall experience.
Minus Points:
Director Arun Matheswaran relies on a non-linear screenplay, narrating the story across six chapters. While this narrative structure is not confusing, there’s potential for a more captivating and dynamic first half.
Certain characters, like Priyanka Arul Mohan and Jayaprakash, add minimal value to the film. A missed opportunity for Priyanka Mohan to showcase her performance in a few scenes is evident.
The movie maintains a serious tone throughout, lacking the inclusion of other emotions like romance and comedy, limiting its appeal to a dedicated audience.
Scenes related to Tamil nativity may not resonate with Telugu audiences. Also, the Telugu subtitles contain numerous grammatical and translation mistakes, which is unexpected in a movie of this scale.
Technical Aspects:
Arun Matheswaran, in his roles as a writer and director, leaves an okay impression. A more engaging first half and a gripping narrative could enhance the film’s overall impact.
The musical score by GV Prakash Kumar stands out, complemented by Siddhartha Nuni’s decent cinematography. While the editing is generally satisfactory, trimming a few unnecessary scenes could improve the viewing experience. The film maintains decent production values.
Verdict:
On the whole, Captain Miller has its moments. Dhanush’s commendable performance, the well-executed action sequences, and GV Prakash Kumar’s musical prowess are notable positives. However, the film is hindered by a slow-paced first half, redundant scenes, a consistently serious tone, and a lack of emotional depth. If you appreciate serious-toned action dramas, Captain Miller might be worth considering; otherwise, alternative entertainment options may be more suitable.
123telugu.com Rating: 2.75/5
Reviewed by 123telugu Team