Taama Movie Review: A Deep Dive into the MH CU Mad Dog Horror Cinematic Universe
The film ‘Taama’ has recently been released in theaters in Telugu, with a runtime of 2 hours and 30 minutes. The reviewer caught an early 7:45 am show on its release day. The decision to release the movie on a Tuesday, particularly after Diwali, was noted as an unusual choice. Originating from Bollywood, ‘Taama’ is presented as one of the films within the MH CU Mad Dog Horror Cinematic Universe.
The MH CU Mad Dog Horror Cinematic Universe Connection
Many might already be familiar with other films in this universe, such as ‘Stree,’ ‘Bhediya,’ and ‘Munjya 32’. The universe is set to expand further with ‘Shaktishalini’ coming this December, and ‘Bhediya 2’ next year, continuing the saga. Within ‘Taama’ itself, the reviewer highlights ‘Bhediya’ and ’32’ as the films with direct connections.
Runtime and Release Details
The movie ‘Taama’ runs for a duration of 2 hours and 30 minutes. It was released in theaters in Telugu, with an early morning show attended by the reviewer. The choice of a Tuesday release after Diwali was noted as somewhat perplexing.
First Half vs. Second Half Experience
Initially, after watching the first half, the reviewer was uncertain whether to recommend the film even for a single watch. However, the second half, especially the last 15 minutes, significantly shifted this perception, leading to a feeling that it’s worth one watch. This change of heart occurred when the film began connecting to other movies with a massive pipe, marking a significant turning point. The reviewer explicitly states there are no post-credit scenes, advising viewers not to wait. While not purely a horror film, the last 50 minutes were considered good, with the rest of the film being average.
Storyline (Spoiler-Free)
The basic storyline presented by the filmmakers is minimal, and the reviewer opted not to spoil what little was shown. The first half primarily focuses on a love story, while the second half transitions into action drama.
Performances and Dubbing
Both Rashmika and Ayushmi Bolanagaru were given full scope in their roles and performed equally well, excelling in their respective parts. A significant plus point was the perfect and very effective Telugu dubbing, especially by Durga Abhishek for the male lead and Harini Davu for the female lead, despite needing a little time to get accustomed to it. The second half’s drama largely revolves around the connections to other films. Other characters primarily served as introductions.
Technical Aspects (Music, Cinematography, VFX)
The songs in the Telugu dubbed version were not particularly good, though the music itself was well-regarded, with a possibility of being better in Hindi. Cinematography and VFX in some places were very good, particularly the VFX in ‘Bhediya’ rather than ’32’ climax. During the middle portions of the film, some fun was generated through Paresh Rawal’s role.
What Worked (Plus Points)
- Both Rashmika and Ayushmi Bolanagaru delivered strong performances with ample scope in their roles.
- The Telugu dubbing by Durga Abhishek and Harini Davu was perfect and highly effective.
- The universe connections were well-integrated into the film, especially in the second half’s drama.
- The last 50 minutes of the second half and some movie starting portions were engaging.
- Paresh Rawal’s role contributed to some fun moments.
- Good music, despite the Telugu songs not being great, and excellent cinematography and VFX in certain scenes.
What Didn’t Work (Minus Points)
- High expectations from the trailer were unmet; the trailer only showcased limited good shots, with the rest of the film featuring regular scenes in normal settings.
- The first half, aside from two specific scenes, lacked peak excitement and was dominated by a continuous love story with frequent songs.
- Emotions felt weak, both in the flashback and the reasons provided.
- The film seemed to convey an attitude of ‘watch what we show,’ and the interval lacked a strong high point, making developments predictable.
- Several illogical elements were present: how a girl stays with the hero at home, why others protect him, the undefined rules, and inconsistent portrayal of pain (no pain, then reacting to pain).
- A major downside for a universe film was the feeling that too much was revealed, potentially limiting future installments. Bollywood’s struggle to evoke strong emotions in such films, compared to their biopics, was also noted.
Family Audience Suitability
The reviewer explicitly states that the film is “absolutely not” suitable for family viewing. Reasons cited include lip-locks, Rashmika’s full-length exposing, and two to three item songs, among other elements.
Final Verdict and Rating
The overall verdict is that ‘Taama’ is a one-time watchable film. Despite the first half being affected by the universe limiting early revelations, the second half, particularly the drama of how ‘Taama’ transformed and its connections to other films, made it feel good. The reviewer’s personal rating for ‘Taama’ is 2.7.
