Cast: Prabhas, Ileana, Prakashraj, Kota Srinivasa Rao, Rahul Dev, Tanikella Bharani, Venu Madhav, Posani Krishna Murali, Sukanya, Sridhar, Kalyani, Shreya
Director:Vamsi Paidipally
Producer:Dil Raju
Music:Harris Jayaraj
Action:Peter Hein
Art:Anand Sai
Cinematography:C. Ram Prasad
Dialogues:Koratala Shiva, B.V.S.Ravi
Editing:Marthand K.Venkatesh
Story, Screenplay and Direction:Vamsi Paidipally
Co-Producers:Shirish-Laxman
Presenter:Smt. Anitha
Banner:Sri Venkateswara Creations
Release Date:May 2nd, 2007
Style dominates in Munna
Prabhas is back after a dismal 'Yogi' with Dil Raju's 'Munna'. After Dil Raju's last movie, the
tremendously successful 'Bommarillu', this one might come as a non-grosser. It has some good
points, but overall it's just an average flick. The director is Vamshi Paidipally, a debutant.
Plot:
Munna (Prabhas) grows up hating Khaka (Prakash Raj), a business giant and a Don
of sorts. He studies on scholarship with his group of friends in the same college as Khaka's son Rahul
(Sridhar), who likes Nidhi (Ileana). Nidhi obviously falls for Munna while he goes against Khaka
openly and challenges him. Why Munna has the enemity towards Khaka and how he fights him is the
rest of the story.
Story, Screenplay and Direction:
The plot is similar to many others, from 'Shiva' to
another Prabhas starrer 'Yogi'. The narrative starts off well, with slick visuals and editing. The
cinematography along with the art direction is good. The action sequences are elaborate but look like a
part of a video game. There ends the good part. The actual content of the story is a rehash of many
stories. The narrative might have looked good on paper and while relating orally, but watching it is
actually a little tedious. It gets repetitive at times, and the twists-one in the first half (before the break)
and one in the second half lack that tangy punch expected at such moments.
The comedy is okay-mostly to do with Munna's pal Tillu and his histrionics. The romantic angle with
Nidhi also falls flat. The first half is okay, and while we expect more flavor in the second half, it does
disappoint. There is a sense of déjà vu, as we've seen too many plots like this one.
Performances:
Prabhas does justice to his character of Munna (where he grows from a guy who works in a Bar to
student, and from friend to leader). He looks a bit different & stylish (Dress designs were good). But
the Hair style is not so good. There's no requirement for that (might want to repeat the successes of
'Pokiri' and 'Desamuduru'). He is extremely good in action episodes and Confrontation, Challenging
scenes with Prakash Raj. Prabhas is ok with his dance movements. But he had improve a lot with his
dialogue delivery. Ileana too is ok. She doesn't have much scope to perform. She is present just for
the songs and she is good in that. This film scores her better points than her previous disaster,
'Khatarnack'. Prakash Raj is dependable as usual. He does his job what he is roped in for. Kota is
alright. Venu Madhav and Raghu Babu fills in the gap of comedians and does well to evoke some
laughter. Rahul Dev, Tanikella, Posaani, Brahmaji and Sukanya were ok in their given roles. Shreya
appears in a special song (item song).
Technical:
Debutant Vamsi Paidipally had missed out on the screen play by giving more
importance to the scenes.... (it is like: Making Strong Bricks but a very weak House). He had
succeeded in a big way in getting the action episodes and the Taking Style right. He projected the
hero's character to the maximum. But, in the course, he missed out on other characters like heroine
and other characters. He presented the film in a modern look but with the same, routine strategies and
episodes which generates no interest. Harris Jayaraj's music has no freshness or novelty in it. Except
one or two songs like "Koncham Koncham" and "Manassa...", his music has nothing to boast off.
Peter Hains and Ram Laxmans' stunts were good...! Marthand K.Venkatesh's editing is slick and the
Cinematography work by C.Ramprasad ('Muraari' fame) is one of the strengths of Munna. Dialogues
by Korataala are fine and situational. Artwork by Anand Sai is very good.
Song and Dance:
The picturizations of the songs are good, and this is one feather in the movie's cap. Prabhas and Ileana
look good in the songs, and the set for each song is unique and overall its good. Sherya's item song
(Vasthaavaa Vasthaavaa) looks and sounds cool.
Highlights:
Prabhas's power packed performance, Vamsi's Taking, Action/Challenging
episodes (especially the Interval bang and pre-climax twist) and some good photography by
Ramprasad are the only strengths of the film.
Pitfalls:
Weak Storyline, poor Screenplay, Routine episodes, lack of entertainment/comedy factor, lack of
romantic line between the lead pair and no role for beautiful Ileana are the minuses for the film. |  |
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