Kala (I) (2021) User Reviews

Visual Treat With Some MESSAGES.

[MandalBros-5 · 6/10 · 27 May 2021]

In KALA, the atmosphere created in the 1st half is fully suspensefull. Every situation & BGM was like something big will happen in few seconds. And when it happened it didn't stop. The most surprising thing of this film is that it's based on TRUE INCIDENTS. Editing and Cinematography are top notch.

Action sequences are choreographed very well and it's the BEST thing of this film. But after certain time the fighting moments became very repetitive for me. And also you'll start to think they are not normal human being. However, it's a VISUAL TREAT but quite lengthy and if you love to watch fully brutal action sequences you'll love it too.

Available on Amazon Prime Video.

© MandalBros.

Eat your time

[harelives · 6/10 · 29 May 2021]

It's an overhyped movie. Maybe because many people like the actions. Regarding the action choreography, I also like this one. And I believe this is one of the movie that got it right. And the actors do their best to achieve that. But apart from that, after some of the camera work, there's nothing more to it. And it could have been done within one hour. So the slowmo shots and unnecessary sequences seems to be eating your time.

Ultimate chaos.

[Azanspy · 6/10 · 27 March 2021]

Don't mind the rating. In some parts it's so much more than the rating I gave. But in some, it's not. Kala should be watched in theatres, if you're planning to watch this movie. Good performance by the hero (it's not who you think it is).

One of a kind.

[sreenesh-g-one · 7/10 · 28 March 2021]

Consider the story of Kala as Milk in a Milk Boiler, you first put the Milk inside the boiler, wait for it to boil, and finally, when it has reached its temperature it blows its whistle. Similarly, in Kala, you have an initial period for the story to warm up before it blows its whistle endlessly. To some, this initial period is a test of patience, but for others, it is an interesting build-up for what lies ahead. As the scene opens, there is a quote by Oscar Wilde written on the screen that says "Selfishness is not living as one wishes to live, it is asking others to live as one wishes to live", the quote clearly represents Shaji, and the selfishness of his triggers the Antagonist. Kala is no weak-hearted person's watch, nor is it kid or family-friendly. There is a depiction of violence in the most extreme manner, there is a pile of cuss words, and sometimes it is very creepy too. Tovino's acting career can be split into two; before and after Kala, because this character played by him is on a completely different tangent, and then there is Sumesh Moor who stands head-to-head with Tovino with his impeccable performance. Particularly emphasizing the brilliant technical side of this movie which includes cinematography, virtual effects, editing, foley, color grading, background music, sound designing, and fight choreography. Kala sticks to what it promised; The feel-bad movie of the year, but views on it are highly subjective. Applauding the entire team for bringing up a raw and brutal subject to Malayalam Cinema.

Making is goo, is that enough?

[m-ramanan · 6/10 · 7 June 2021]

RATED 6/10 Language: Malayalam Source: Amazon Prime.

First half is good and moving on.... second half is just a bloody brawl with too much of violence... The second half is dragged too much and it is definitely not a mainstream movie material...

Intense. Raw. Real

[cinephilefromsouth · 8/10 · 28 March 2021]

Kala is a must-watch for people who are into an immersive theatrical experience. The immersive sound design, editing, cinematography and direction should be appreciated. The story is simple and since the film doesn't spoon-feed the inner meaning of the story, some may find it a bit hard to comprehend but still if you're a fan of a theatrical experience, you can definitely go for this one. This movie is best experienced in a theatre.

bad

[johnjohnjoshy · 23 May 2021]

No story and waste of time.not meant for normal audience.

A simple revenge turns to be a survival thriller

[toby_philips · 7/10 · 28 May 2021]

Well the plot seems very familiar but portrayed skillfully by placing Tovino as antagonist in this metaphor. The plot thread seems splendid except the unwanted dramatic quick insert and cutaway shots which doesn't add up anything all. Instead, had this been treated rather rustic and raw it would have been a revenge thriller monument but the entire feat seems ruined by juxtaposing shots and cutaways in the first half, heavily inspired from French/German psycho thrillers. Yet the movie is satisfactory, considering it keeps evey audient on the edge while Tovino and Sumesh, the protagonist run us through a raging outrageous rather deadly combat. A special mention to Tovino who decided to break his mold of a usual heroic portrayals and chose to play the contender and Sumesh Moor who is the piece de resistance, of the movie, brings his furious rage to its zenith and leaves us swearing and cussing. The background score at some were annoying and amateurish due to outpouring of scores at undesirable moments where utter silence would have elevated the thrilling sequences. Nevertheless, the setting, backdrop, stunt choreo, and casting were all the takeaways.

R rated

[rudeguyofficial · 10/10 · 29 March 2021]

Something thing that gives the creater to dig deep inside the emotions dissolve in the movies, KALA a perfect revenge story.

IT WAS NICE

[hanadkc-75031 · 7/10 · 22 May 2021]

Overall it's a good one time watch. The movie had the potential to be better.

Too draggy and poor direction

[sndpkumar · 5/10 · 22 May 2021]

Too draggy with not much story. Director tried to make all scenes look thrilling where it was not even required. Becomes repetitive after some point you will end up fast forwarding it.

Must watch movie

[jesusisthereforme · 10/10 · 28 March 2021]

Breaking all classical concepts in the industry, the cinematography is awesome.

An adrenaline pumping slugfest!

[nidhunmoviebuff · 7/10 · 21 May 2021]

Tovino Thomas' last film was the 2020 feel-good comedy road movie Kilometres and Kilometres where he played a timid, witless village handyman.

Kala sees him take up a polar opposite character archetype, that of an egoistic, Machiavellian farmer who after years of living under his ruthless father's thumb, is aching to let loose his demons.

Kala is one long, drawn-out, bloody slugfest that excels in its extremely realistic close combat sequences. Tovino and an excellent Sumesh Moor who plays the antagonist, excel in their roles, constantly straddling the sides of the good and the bad.

The audience is hooked from the get-go by director Rohith VS's masterful use of close shots, tense music and animal/plant motifs that build up a sense of foreboding akin to Jordan Peele's Get Out (2017).

If Jallikattu (2019) used the conflict between man and beast to communicate its message, Kala highlights the beasts innate in every man which can be brought out, given the right triggers and environments.

Not for the faint-hearted this one. But unmissable for lovers of the action genre.

P. S: Suitable only for mature audiences.

What a torture ?

[sujith789_reviews · 3/10 · 22 May 2021]

Movie is full of unnecessary slow motion and violence. It was a relief when movie ended.

Bold Voilant Attempt

[rockvishnu-68301 · 6/10 · 28 July 2021]

Movie plot just ok. If you watch the trailer, it makes sense. But the movie is just okay if you imagine that there will be something beyond the trailer. Movie visually fantastic work and cinematography Awesome.sound mixing technical values plus in movie and fantastic Bgm. The persona gestures and acting as the villain are super. Violence is high in this picture.so just watch this movie.

Worth watching

[arjunhebbar · 7/10 · 23 May 2021]

A very good piece of visualization, would've been a bit shorter rather than dragging.

The concept is unique and the performance by each of the characters played are just amazing.

Awesome

[idmann-73083 · 10/10 · 22 May 2021]

Its true.. original.. and beyond. It felt like real life experiance. The characters were not acting..they were living in this movie. The movie looked so authentic and the camera work is extraordinary. Its a must watch.

A different view

[adhwaithdas · 6/10 · 27 May 2021]

The most interesting part about the movie is the talent and perspectives of the cameraman and the director. There happens to be a portrayal of nature specifically that of various animal species through different artistic views. To mention, the two main dogs, who are also important characters in the movie, then hares, species of the lizard family including an iguana or a gecko, the busy ants, and other bugs. The artistic camera views could be found in many other psychological thrillers but adding a bits and pieces of common animals found in a natural environment is something new for me.

I do not say much of the movie itself, but the fight scene seems to be too long which makes it a bit of boring in the end and also the end is quite obscure.

• The main character, Shaji, had an axe cut wound on his right chest and in a scene after that, where he crawls himself out from a pond, his chest is visible as the shirt is unbuttoned but the wound is not to be seen, and then seen in later scenes.

Fascinating cinematic experience

[ameerhassan-97423 · 9/10 · 5 April 2021]

Excited by watching something which is truely original......

Good movie

[nishkupul · 6/10 · 21 May 2021]

Acting was Good... So much effort... Story??? Felt empty in some parts... Tovino and sumesh did well... Credits to them.

Worthless trash

[mitravik · 1/10 · 22 May 2021]

This is what happens when john wick meets a mallu director trying to make a neo-noir art movie with a RGV inspired camera team.

Treat yourself by not watching this mindless void.

Again Mollywood going higher

[basanthben · 9/10 · 28 March 2021]

Just watch the trailer, don't expect anymore. As the trailer shows, a dark mood is kept throughout the movie. Not for everyone, but those who watch movies seriously will definitely find it pleasing. Movie extends a question towards the viewers, who is the actual 'kala', the unwanted weed.

Visual treat But worthless

[yogeshsahir · 6/10 · 1 June 2021]

Simple storyline. Screenplay also too drag.

Story and screenplay is worst. But visually good movie. Violence sequence are pretty good So, cinematography and stunt choreography is excellent except these nothing in this movie.

Garbage!!

[foxysuma · 1/10 · 21 May 2021]

A stupid movie. Just coz the director wanted to show some action he has dragged the most irritating plot unnecessarily. What's wrong with directors these days. Can't they come up with something worth watching. Dark movie with nothing to offer.

A violent, gory thriller where the action clearly dictates! [+70%]

[arungeorge13 · 7/10 · 20 May 2021]

The films of Rohith VS (Adventures of Omanakuttan, Iblis) have told stories dripping in magical realism. Kala is more of a psychological thriller with realistically executed action and brilliant visual allegories. The plot, characters, and setting are minimalistic - but Rohith adds a lustrous flow to the narrative with his penchant for offbeat visuals. Sprawling plantations have become the playground for a number of intriguing Malayalam films of late. Kala puts the setting and its aesthetics to great use - the house, the pet dog, the random animals that inhabit the area, the canals, and the puddles. As much as I've heard reviewers mention Tarantino and the John Wick franchise (for the puppy murder aspect), the plot and storytelling style is reminiscent of Kim Jee-woon's I Saw The Devil. The captures-and-releases, the gruesome violence, the superficial overtones, all of it.

Kala is a testosterone fest all the way, and the vibrant lead performances from Tovino Thomas and Sumesh Moor add definitive layers to it. Sumesh Moor, in particular, is stupendous. He gets all the hoot-worthy scenes and also excels in the action department. Lal and Divya Pillai also lend credibility to their performances. There's a certain vagueness to the proceedings in Kala which both amplifies and deflates the viewing experience. It is at its best when fists are exchanged and wounds are inflicted, and okayish when it gives off an impression that there's more to the plot. Animal cruelty and aristocracy are briefly touched upon, but Kala remains faithful to its core strength i.e. Action.