Rise, Roar, Revolt, orRRRfirst came out all the way back in March, yet towards the end of the year it’s become clear that S.S. Rajamouli’s action-packed reimagined Indian epic is one of the critics’ favorite movies of 2022, well critics and most of the people who have actually seen it. That is because as a foreign language film coming from the country’s less reputable industry,RRRstill has a tough hill to climb.
Nevertheless, although multiple rereleases all over the world have allowed cinephiles to enjoyRRRin all its theater glory, the movie’s merits are more than enough to make it one of the best currently available onNetflix. So how is it that this 3-hour Tollywood film has endeared itself to so many? Are the cultural differences between Indian filmmaking and Western audiences too big? And, lastly, just how much dancing is there actually inRRR?
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The Who, What, When And Where OfRRR
The film’s settings is surprisingly simple as Rajamouli choosing to tackle a piece offictionalized Indian history (thinkAssassin’s CreedIndia), set during the middle of the country’s move to independence, choosing real-life revolutionaries Komaran Bheem (N.T. Rama Rao Jr.) and Alluri Sitarama Raju (Ram Charan) as his superheroes, since that’s how the director chooses to call the two men who never met. Now, that’s about as much of a lesson one needs heading into the movie because, at its heart,RRRis more like Tollywood flavored action flick, much in the vein ofQuentin Tarantino’s alternative history spin inInglorious Basterds.
So what exactly is Tollywood? Well contrary to its more famous sibling Bollywood, this is the film industry that caters to the South Indian part of the 1.3 billion people nation. As such, Tollywood films tend to feature dialogue in Telugu and not Hindi which is India’s more widely spoken tongue, however, that also introduces more contrasts as Tollywood is known more for its high-octane action films compared to Bollywood, the cradle of all those dance numbers.
This is where Ramajouli’s superheroes come in asRRR’saction scenes are incredibly over-the-top, to say the least. Both Bheem and Ram are capable of incredible feats and stunts, the kind that will have Western audiencesreminiscing many ‘80s and ‘90s action classics, but it all looks amazing. Sure,RRR’sgalore of CGI animals might be off-putting for some, but the movie uses slow motion to make sure its combat hits viewers as hard as it can, with the opening scene featuring Ram being a perfect highlight and preview of what to expect.
Does that meanRRRis just an action film? Most definitely not as the movie elegantly moves across genres to feature comedy elements, musical numbers, two love stories, as well asBheem and Ram’s buddy cop dynamicshowing also featuring the kind of brotherly love that will have viewers pining for them to solve their differences. Still, this is the most expensive Indian film ever ($66m), and it really shows in the sheer scale of some of its actions sequences.
Overall,RRRis the type of film that’s just excellent at everything it does, making audiences quickly shift the tone of their reactions from laughter to genuine pain when these characters are suffering, despite how absurd it can be at times.RRRbasically captures the essence of a masterfully crafted Hollywood movie, just one not made in America, let alone in 2022.
Why Ramajouli’sRRRIs So Brilliant
A common complaint among moviegoers these days is that every film can turn out to be the same, as both superhero movies or big franchises have established themselves as the tentpole blockbusters for most studios, and sequels tend to govern the box office. In that sense,RRRhas the most in common with2022’s biggest movie,Top Gun: Maverick, because of how “back to basics” its formula is, with the added value of not being able to rely on nostalgia.
Even the most foreign tropes of Indian cinema, like the dancing and singing can be easy to accept as they tend to really help move the story with two particularly being crucial to Bheem and Ram’s character arcs, and the same foes for the few flashbacks which are just are brilliant as everything else in the movie. Certainly, the musical aspects and subtitles can be the most alienating parts ofRRR, but they are both easy to accept for such a joyful ride, especially now that the movie is readily available on Netflix and allows for one to take a break when the film invites us to do so.
Ramajouli recently took part in a poll that includedacclaimed directors like Martin Scorsese and Bong Joon-ho, and it’s safe to say his picks for favorite movies ever showcase the very influences that inspired him to makeRRR. The director namedRaiders of the Lost Ark,Braveheart,Django Unchained,Forrest Gump, andevenKung Fu Pandain his top 10, and those with a keen eye will be able to spot moments inRRRwhen Ramajouli pays homage to those masterpieces.
RRR’sstory also lends itself to showcasing the tension of film’s like Scorsese’sThe Departedor even South Korean classicJoint Security Area, because of the beauty that lies beneath Bheem and Ram’s friendship. That’s one of the main drivers in a movie that truly does it all because, at the end of the day,RRRcould also be summed up as simply an superb Indian buddy cop adventure.
Sure, there are political undertones toRRRthat those not familiar with India’s culture will miss, yet none of that gets in the way of enjoying a movie truly unlike anything else out there for a very entertaining 3 hours. As for the dancing, well Bheem and Ram’s moves are so sick it reallydukes it out withRRR’sjaw-dropping actionto see which one is more impressive.
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