IslandGuru Who payed the critics

Limerculer A waste of 90 minutes of my life

Ketrivie It isn't all that great, actually. Really cheesy and very predicable of how certain scenes are gonna turn play out. However, I guess that's the charm of it all, because I would consider this one of my guilty pleasures.

Mandeep Tyson The acting in this movie is really good.

achuhenry When Dulquer quotes that the road has answers to all questions, we expect a killer line to follow. Instead, he adds that he doesn't have questions to ask. Now if he had no questions, why did he quote?. This is just an example of how the movie treads through unnecessary territories and ends up offering nothing but a love for bullets. The movie begins with Kasi embarking on a supposedly introspective Kerala-Nagalnd journey and he is soon joined by his best buddy Suni. They face unprecedented challenges which takes them off-route to places like Puri and Bamanghata(West Bengal). As to why they embark on this journey is explained through a series of interruptive flashbacks to their college lives. A road movie is expected to bring out the traditions and cultures of places, people and foods of the locales. NPCB doesn't touch any of these and instead simple focuses on Kasi and his narrative thoughts. The viewer is really disappointed as there is so much to be offered but none delivered. Its as if Puri is a disco + jungle and Bamanghata is a manual rice mill. A lot of loose ends simply add to the misery. Like what business does a tender coconut vendor have in the middle of a highway and what drives him to act erratically? A keen observer will be bubbling with doubts after watching this cross-country NatGeo-style Docudrama.Even the cinematography disappoints. We are simply treated to an overdose of Kasi and Suni flaunting their Bullets on the road (like there are no other vehicles?!)The DoP fails in photographing out the places in their ethnic fervor and we are treated to some dim lit, underexposed and brown-soaked fashion show of bullets (we have one stingy producer in Sameer Thahir, for he does not even provide a crane to the poor lad!)On the performance side, Dulquer looks charming and tries hard to add an emotional dimension to the movie. Sunny Wayne's guffaw and desire to differentiate between love and lust are impressive. The women are average at best (just like the movie).The sole savior is Rex Vijayan, who has been strumming out some fresh tunes movie film after film. The editor probably could do nothing but fill all holes with reels of bullet-ing and close-ups. The Skies, Water and Earth are not as colourful as promised and considering the soaring petrol prices, i wouldn't kick-start my bullet to visit them.

jimsvarkey This is a movie that is completely new and refreshing, almost experimental in nature. The director has painstakingly avoided prevalent stereotypes, cliché and set formula in the Malayalam film industry. The movie has a refreshing cast, and the director has not shied away from casting people who are almost unknown to the Malayalam movie industry. A clear example of this can be seen in the actor who played Kasi's father. Usually such a role will be given to Saikumar.The plot also avoids stereotypes. It is not the father of Kasi, who creates trouble, it is his mother. At every juncture in the story, the director has avoided the easiest route. He could have added lots of action, in the scene where the goons enters the hostel, but the director chooses not to show a complete action sequence. Kasi itself is not a hero. It is not he that protects others, but others protect him. Nowhere in the movie does anyone go about yelling dialogues. There are no over the top acting. Even the occasional comical scenes of Suni are restrained. Dialogues sound as if they are natural conversations, and the director lets the scenes do all the talking. This is best explained in the complex relationship between Kasi and the girl. Their relationship is shown by the simple act of holding her hand, at Shyam's death. Tons of dialogue about motivating each other to continue the journey is replaced by an uncomplicated scene of gunning the throttle of the bike. The movie asks a simple, straightforward question: Is destiny something that we make for ourselves? Or is it something predestined, something which can be achieved with the support of people that we meet, both friends and utter stranger, on the journey of our life. Having said, all this, let me say that this movie is not for all. It will be criticized for not having a thick plot. But, like a journey without a destination, this movie, I think, is deliberately left plot less. Those who keep on fast forwarding a video to see what happens towards the end will find the movie disappointing. There lies the beauty of the movie.Like all path-breaking movies, it is bound to have to some hiccups. The story is not completely convincing. Who finances their journey? Surely, two fresh graduates cannot have the money to go all the way to Nagaland. The scene of Dulkar Salman standing his ground in front of the water cannon does not go well with the scene where he almost gets killed by naxalites or robbers. The journey itself is romanticized a bit too much, with clean wide roads, good climate, no dust, and all that. Having said all this, the movie might itself in the near future, be a trend setter.

Tejas Nair I entered the theater with a stereotype I had for modern Malayalam movies. Twenty minutes into the screenplay, the stereotype died.Starting off with a fantastic camaraderie between the two lead hunks, the strong story begins unfolding itself through different places. I am mesmerized by the photography & locations (six different Indian states? Wow!). While the direction & cinematography actually pulls you inside the plot, the powerful soundtrack & score makes you enjoy the narrative. Songs are melodious and apt for the sequences they are played on. Editing could've been better. Talking about the intricacies of life, NPCB relates with its viewers with a wide range of life values like love, romance, family, hatred, travel, nature, etc.; issues - religion, language, politics & genres - action, romance, comedy & drama. The relevance of the script with current issues & time is both immense & dumb at the same time, but it easily passable.It's a relief it isn't a melodrama. Humor is lukewarm, but the timing is thoroughly executed. Exhibiting so many ideas & beliefs on their journey, the lead pair magnify the meaning of life. Although, the climax seemed unfinished & the plot switches off with at least 2-3 unanswered questions. Maybe it was voluntarily done, because the plot was demanding more time; 150 minutes already! Let me tell you, it doesn't go monotonous.Dulquer Salman is very serious about his portrayal and Sunny Wayne is the comic guy. Both are apt for the roles. The women in here portray amazingly and do their parts exceptionally well. Supporting cast is good as well. Only, some sequences seemed as if they were cooked up, but the audience is ready to overlook it if the table is full of food. Yes?BOTTOM LINE: No cheap jokes, no obscenity and non-linear screenplay! I was greatly entertained & that is what a movie should be like. One more time, after Neram previously this year, Malayalam Cinema touches new heights. 8.4/10 for Sameer Thahir & crew. Highly Recommended because it inspires to live!Can be watched with a typical Indian family? YESProfanity: Very Mild | Nudity: Very Mild | Sex/Foreplay: No | Mouth- Kiss: No | Violence: Strong | Gore: Mild | Alcohol: Mild | Smoking: Strong | Drugs: No | Porn: No

Thug Ice Seldom comes a movie which makes you smile , feel good and Inspired.. This is one of those rare ones.. Its an all out love story in the back drop of a road trip..Kasi and Sunny makes a good Duo and gets this road trip going..Performance - Dulqer is top notch, he proves time and again what a fine subtle actor he is without tending to over do. After Fahad this is the next guy who has got raw talent when it comes to on screen persona. Yes this Guy can Act and he delivers here with one intense performance Sunny Wayne is good on par providing good support to Dulqer. Surja Bala apart from her good looks puts in a fine performance. Dhritiman Chatterjee for me dint prove any mettle on this one.The Music is Brilliant by Rex Vijayan. He is ace on this one.. Cinematography is a class above , showing the beautiful locales,its a visual delight to see some of the shots.Sameer Tahir - Post Chappa Kurishu, have hit a Jackpot yet again delivering for a niche audience.Rest of the cast - Well they are OK. The gang of bikers which was vastly publicized fails to create any impact..A bunch of tough good looking bad ass Oldies all-right, but for each of them their acting has a lot to catch up. Not to be hard, the script dint demand them either.Overall its one that demands you to hit the theaters this season and I would say this is one of those movies that at this age of online torrents, this is one Riveting ride that makes you feel good you happened to spend money to watch on.