Bāhubali: The Epic
When a mysterious child is found by a tribal couple near a roaring waterfall, they raise him as their own. As he grows, Sivudu is drawn to the world beyond the cliffs, where he discovers the ancient kingdom of Mahishmati, ruled by a cruel tyrant, haunted by rebellion, and bound to his past. What begins as a quest for love soon unravels a legacy of betrayal, sacrifice, and a forgotten prince.
Where to watch
HYPETV Review
Alright, buckle up, my fellow cinephiles, because we need to talk about S. S. Rajamouli's "Bāhubali: The Epic." Now, a 5.7 rating for a Rajamouli film? That's like hearing a rock band just whisper. My initial thought was, "Is this even the same visionary who gave us *that* visual spectacle?" And having sat through a whopping 224 minutes, I have some thoughts.
Let's start with the good, because there's always good. The sheer ambition here is undeniable. Rajamouli, as always, paints on a canvas so vast it practically demands to be seen on the biggest screen imaginable. The narrative, following Sivudu from a mysterious tribal upbringing to uncovering the ancient kingdom of Mahishmati, is ripe with classical epic tropes: betrayal, sacrifice, a forgotten prince. Prabhas, as Sivudu, carries that stoic, larger-than-life presence that’s essential for these kinds of roles. And Ramya Krishnan? She always brings a regal power, even in a supporting role. The idea of a tyrannical ruler and a kingdom ripe for rebellion sets the stage for some truly dramatic moments.
However, and this is where that 5.7 starts to make a bit more sense, the "epic" in "Bāhubali: The Epic" sometimes feels more like "epically long" than "epically compelling." At 224 minutes, the pacing can feel like wading through treacle. While the visual scale is there, some of the execution, particularly in the action sequences, felt a little… rubbery this time around. It's almost as if the ambition outpaced the budget in certain areas, leading to moments that pulled me out of the immersive world Rajamouli usually creates so effortlessly. The emotional core, which should be the bedrock of a story about betrayal and a quest for love, occasionally gets lost amidst the grandiosity. While the performances are solid, the sheer length doesn't always allow for the nuanced character development needed to truly elevate these archetypes beyond their initial introductions.
My take? "Bāhubali: The Epic" is a noble effort, a testament to Rajamouli's audacious vision. It’s a film that aims for the stars, and even if it sometimes trips on its own ambition, it's still a spectacle worth experiencing for its sheer scale. Just be prepared for a long journey, and maybe bring a snack. It’s a fascinating, if flawed, chapter in his cinematic universe.
