RRR is the best blockbuster of 2022
Rewatching it on the big screen confirms it…
Yes, I mean it. RRR makes for better big-screen entertainment and spectacle than many films that outperformed it at the global box office last year. It’s more grandiose than all the latest Marvel superhero flicks, more ambitious than the likes of Black Adam or Uncharted and far more fun and exciting than whatever Jurassic World: Dominion was trying to be. The only big films that come close to this for sheer blockbuster joyousness from the past year are Avatar: The Way of Water and Top Gun: Maverick and, I’ve got to be honest, SS Rajamouli’s RRR has that something special that makes it my favourite. Wondering if you should watch it after its recent awards wins and Oscar buzz? The answer is yes. And, if you can, watch it on the biggest and loudest screen around.
What is RRR?
Okay, if aren’t already on your third rewatch of RRR — or Rise, Roar, Revolt — here’s what you need to know. It’s a 2022 Telugu-language blockbuster that’s not only a smash hit in India, but also resonates with audiences around the world — and it’s a ridiculous amount of fun. This is a bombastic piece of cinema with action that defies the laws of physics throughout, all while delivering an earnest and character-driven tale of friendship, rebellion and dedication. Set in the 1920s, this anti-colonialist tale is a fictional take on history, bringing together a pair of freedom fighters who never met in real life.
The lead roles are Alluri Sitarama Raju (Ram Charan) and Komaram Bheem (NT Rama Rao Jr), and both actors deliver exuberant and powerful portrayals. On the other hand, the loathsome antagonists are the sadistic Governor Scott Buxton (Ray Stevenson) and his heartless wife (Alison Doody). They’re not complex figures — this is a film with clear heroes and villains — but they are the kind of bad guys that you love to hate. The film itself is a three-hour rollercoaster ride full of captivating action sequences, delightful comedy, brilliant music and dance, and amazing visual effects and stunt work. Watching it on the big screen confirms how bold and breathtaking it is, and I can’t recommend it highly enough.
This is true spectacle
It’s unlikely most of us will get a chance to see this in the ideal environment, but even if you can’t find it on the big screen, it’s a must to turn down the lights and turn up the volume when you hit play on Netflix. It deserves the cinema atmosphere, and you’ll soon see why it’s more hyped up than the latest Hollywood fare. In recent years, what has passed for “spectacle” in Western cinema has often been the connection of existing intellectual property, like one superhero showing up in another’s franchise, an exciting cameo-driven crossover or a nostalgia-driven reboot. There’s a place for all of this, of course, but there’s more to big screen filmmaking than that.
What RRR offers is unlike anything out of the Hollywood studio system (at least compared to today’s options). This is outlandish, audacious and over-the-top, with emotional and character-driven stakes. It’s designed to illicit shocked gasps, real cheers and jaw-dropping scale when you least expect it. Yeah, it’s not subtle, but who cares when it’s this damn entertaining?
RRR deserves a best director nomination — and more
SS Rajamouli won the award for Best Director at the New York Film Critics Circle Awards towards the end of last year, so hoping for an Oscar nomination isn’t ridiculous. However, RRR wasn’t selected as India’s official Oscar entry in the international feature category, and despite its Golden Globes win for best original song, it seems like it may remain more of a critical darling than an awards hit when it comes to the American approval. It deserves the recognition, though, and in a just world, it would be part of the Best Picture and Best Director conversation. Not only would it be an historic nod (India’s first for Best Pic) but RRR is a more ambitious and more beloved movie than many of the presumptive nominees. It has a deft balance with its tone, gorgeous cinematography and choreography and terrific performances from its leads — all awards-worthy aspects of the movie. Rajamouli is also no newcomer. He’s a big deal, and the highest-paid director working in India. And, arguably, recognition for work is overdue after this and his exhilarating Baahubali epics.
Verdict
Subtlety is overrated. RRR is audacious, maximalist, and delivers astounding action, a real emotional core, and thematic weight.
★★★★★
A fictitious story about two legendary revolutionaries and their journey away from home before they started fighting for their country in the 1920s. (IMDb)
Running time: 3 hours and 7 minutes
Director: SS Rajamouli
Writers: Vijayendra Prasad, SS Rajamouli, Sai Madhav Burra, Madhan Karky
Stars: NT Rama Rao Jr, Ram Charan Teja, Ajay Devgn, Alia Bhatt, Olivia Morris, Shriya Saran, Ray Stevenson
Where to watch
If you can find it at the cinema, that’s the absolute best way to watch RRR. But it’s on Netflix right now if you can’t. Just make sure to turn the lights down and the volume up.
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