UI Movie Review: A Daring Attempt or an Unbearable Experience?
Upendra’s latest directorial venture, “UI,” hit theaters with a runtime of 2 hours and 15 minutes. Despite trailers and teasers revealing very little about the plot, the immense hype surrounding the film was primarily driven by the anticipation of an Upendra-directed movie. We watched the film to bring you this honest review.
A Controversial Disclaimer at the Start
The movie began with an unusual disclaimer: “Intelligent people, leave the theaters without watching. Fools, watch it.” This felt like an upfront declaration from the filmmakers, implying, “If you don’t like the movie, I am not responsible.”
Initial Expectations vs. Reality
As a long-time admirer of Upendra, having grown up watching his films like “Ra Upendra Budhhi,” my personal expectations for “UI” were actually zero. The reason for the significant buzz on social media remained unclear to me.
The UI Movie Experience: Beyond the Opening Scenes
The initial 15 minutes of “UI” offered some comedy scenes and Upendra’s characteristic dialogues, which were enjoyable. However, beyond this opening segment, the rest of the film felt like a chaotic experience – it “shook, thrashed, twisted, folded, and instantly pushed me into the netherworld.” It felt as though the creators might have known the movie would be a flop during its production. It’s difficult to pinpoint who would appreciate this film or from what perspective. Personally, I did not like it.
Addressing Criticism and Unpacking the “Experiment”
For those who might question if I understood the film or even watched it, let me clarify: I am not solely a viewer of commercial or entertainment films. I have watched and appreciated movies like “Ashwins” and “Kopabrah,” where despite good content, the execution faltered. However, “UI,” with its title resembling a ‘U/A’ certificate, merely touches upon future situations and human frustration. Under the guise of an “experiment,” the film presented nonsensical scenes, inexplicable fights, and songs that lacked purpose. The heroine’s role seemed unclear, and the presence of some cheap VFX shots further detracted from the experience. Frankly, nothing in the movie appealed to me.
Plot, World-Building, and Unsuitable Content
It is likely that director Upendra himself was aware that the audience might not appreciate the film. If you doubt this review, you are welcome to watch it in theaters – though I’d call it an adventure, especially when many people are expressing dissatisfaction even with movies like “Pushpa Devarala.”
The film often shows something as if conveying a profound message, but there is often nothing substantial there, making many parts feel like a spoof. It touches upon various concepts, including figures like Aparichithudu and Nithyananda Swami, uneducated individuals rising to political power, and characters like Tharanadar, aiming to depict how people might evolve in the future. Yet, no actual “progress” is shown. The narrative suggests that “as long as those in power loot, the situation of common people will remain the same.”
The world-building in “UI” was completely unbelievable. Furthermore, the film is not suitable for family viewing, featuring numerous instances of lip-locks, exposing, uncomfortable dialogues, and double-meaning sound effects.
The Meta-Narrative: A Story Within a Story
The storyline of “UI” cleverly integrates a meta-narrative: within the film, Upendra directs a movie that garners massive public reception, leading to controversies over censorship and houseful shows. A reviewer named Kiran Adarsh then visits Upendra’s house and reads a torn script, revealing that the actual story of “UI” is what’s contained within that very torn script.
Upendra’s Performance and the Flawed Execution
Upendra’s acting in the film was commendable, and the movie begins with a brilliant setup. However, the middle portion seemed haphazardly written, covering up the initial promise with nonsensical elements. It touches upon concepts like “Satyayugam” (the Golden Age) and concludes incompletely, left as a satire, with the implied message that “what I want to say, people already know.” A “Part 2” has not been announced.
Final Verdict: A Test of Patience
While the intention behind “UI” might have been good, the film itself is quite unbearable. It truly stands as “a big test for patience.” In my personal opinion, the movie receives a rating of 1.5 out of 5. This score is specifically for Upendra’s daring attempt to make such a film and his performance in it.
If you enjoyed this review, please consider subscribing to our channel for more movie insights. Thank you.
