"Enthiran" review

Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto!

In the United States, the 2010 madcap Bollywood action film “Enthiran” is probably most well-known for the absurd yet stunning action sequences which have been shared on YouTube and seen by millions.  I was gobsmacked when I first watched them, but nearly a decade passed before I tracked down a DVD to find out if the whole movie was as good as those clips.  When the disc arrived, I was quite shocked to discover that I was in for a three-hour feature!  Would “Enthiran” be good enough to be gripping for so long?  I am thrilled to offer a jubilant YES!

“Enthiran” is a screwball sci-fi delight!  While I am not very familiar with the Bollywood style of cinema, I can still unequivocally state that this is one of the most entertaining movies that I’ve ever seen.  I cannot recall any other viewing experience that has engaged me so completely despite the movie’s bladder-busting running time!  How is this possible?  Energy and creativity, both of which “Enthiran” has bursting from the seams.  It’s been a long time since I felt such genuine enthusiasm in blockbuster filmmaking!

 “Enthiran”, which means “robot” in the Tamil language, is a cautionary tale of creation, an adorable, doe-eyed romance and a blistering, bullet-ridden spectacle of destruction.  Yet all three seemingly disparate narratives are deftly woven together into a beguiling mélange of innocent whimsy and mature menace.  The virtuosic visual invention, color-drenched cinematography, myriad costume designs and elaborate sets are a fantastic feast for the eyes, and the story consistently moves at a snappy pace without being confusing or cryptic.

Brilliant scientist Dr. Vaseegaran invents a robot in his likeness with artificial intelligence whom he calls Chitti.  Vaseegaran hopes to have Chitti approved by his government to take the place of human soldiers.  However, Chitti will obey any order given by anyone, so the potential for collateral damage is too high and Chitti is rejected.

Aishwarya *sigh*

Vaseegaran’s professional woes are compounded when his girlfriend Sana wants to break up with him due to his obsession with his work.  However, once Chitti saves Sana from some leering thugs, she forgives her brainy boyfriend and even becomes friendly with his new creation.

Vaseegaran then gives his programmable progeny the ability to feel emotions, and things take a dark turn when Chitti falls in love with Sana!  This sinister situation is worsened when Vaseegaran’s former teacher, Bohra, jealous of Vaseegaran’s creation, obtains Chitti and gives him a malevolent military upgrade.  Sana refuses Chitti’s romantic intentions, and his new license to kill enables Chitti to exact his vengeance upon Vaseegaran and the entire world.  Chitti makes multiple copies of himself, and then abducts Sana, planning to use her to create a new hybrid race of “robo-sapiens” hell-bent on global domination.

“Enthiran” is full of familiar clichés and hoary old tropes, but there is so much genuine joy in the telling that it still works like gangbusters!  Even more impressive is that while some of the CGI is crude or clumsily, this doesn’t have a negative effect.  In fact, it works in the movies’ favor by being executed with such sheer vitality and zest that it actually becomes charming!

And the musical numbers!  Oh, my various gods, the musical numbers are SUMPTUOUS.  All the songs are irresistibly dance-able while also conveying important character exposition, and every shot is filled with eye-goggling costumes swaying to the beat with sparkle to spare!

All this mesmerizing choreography is often set in stunning locations such as the sand dunes of Lençóis Maranhenses National Park in Brazil and Machu Picchu in Peru!  Even the indoor sets are grandiose in scale and style because the camera movement, editing and lighting continually generates a rainbow blast of epic imagery.

Bollywood movies may not be everyone’s cup of tea, and I can understand how some might find the irreverent silliness and cartoonish mayhem too much to accept, but I’m personally ready to drink straight from the kettle after the phantasmagoria of “Enthiran!”

What flaws are present are completely overwhelmed by the fire-hose of visual invention that may strain plausibility but does not dampen pleasure.  There is an persistent and irrepressible sense of fun that is utterly seductive.  You can’t help but fall in love with “Enthiran!”

If you want to watch this film on DVD, this Amazon store has excellent copies.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01GUOQT2M/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

However, I do have a few caveats.  On several occasions the movie goes black for 1-2 seconds before continuing.  I'm unsure whether this is purposeful, but I suspect it may be connected to reel changes.  There is also a watermark that appears on the right side of the screen several times, although it is faint and mostly unobtrusive.

Finally, there are some elements involving the status of women in Indian culture which will feel a little cringe-y to certain eyes.  However, as the film is not meant to be taken seriously, I don't think it would be worthwhile getting into a twist over such archaic social mores.