Style over substance in OG
Director Sujeeth has crafted ‘OG’ as a flashy, high-octane showcase for Pawan Kalyan, but it relies heavily on visual motifs like fire and fan-service moments connected to the star’s larger-than-life persona. While the narrative moves along briskly, much of the story feels familiar, echoing gangster tales of the past. The technical team is brilliant, ensuring that the audience’s attention is held even as the story unfolds.
Pawan Kalyan’s commanding presence
Pawan Kalyan’s charisma carries through OG, and Sujeeth’s appreciation is evident in every frame. The film’s soundtrack, moody colour palette and martial arts-inspired choreography complement Kalyan’s performance. Yet, the script focuses so much on his heroism that dramatic tension and suspense rarely emerge, turning OG into a stylized homage rather than a layered story.
Predictable Narrative Arcs
Ozzy’s story traverses familiar territory: the protagonist returns from exile to save his loved ones and his city, facing adversaries who lack originality in their threats. While the Japanese original story and anime visuals add novelty, the emotional depth is minimal. The fan-service scenes provide fleeting excitement, but Ozzie’s formulaic approach makes the journey predictable, leaving viewers yearning for something deeper.
Visual richness and pop culture
Soojit sprinkles Ozzie with references to Japanese pop culture, Indian cinema classics, and a John Wick-inspired aesthetic. Pawan Kalyan’s directorial work and nods to other film legends act as Easter eggs for loyal fans. These clever touches entertain but can’t hide the thinness of the story, as the film favors style and philosophy over meaningful narrative.
Supporting cast and missed opportunities
While Prakash Raj, Shriya Reddy and Arjun Das deliver notable performances, most of the supporting cast, including Emraan Hashmi, are let down by an underdeveloped script and generic dubbing. While authentic use of Tamil and Japanese is made in multilingual scenes, the authenticity could have been further strengthened with stronger region-specific dialogues for other characters, reflecting how audiences have embraced different languages.
Verdict: Fan service first
‘OG’ aims to present a samurai-like hero protecting his city but ultimately becomes a film built on fan service and visual style. Strip away the flashiness, and there’s nothing left but a sharp lead performance. The movie’s lasting appeal may depend on how much fans enjoy the references and aesthetics, with the depth of the story taking a back seat in this slick story.
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