Robinhood Review

If one of the joys of moviegoing is experiencing familiar elements in fresh and exciting ways - be it innovative fight sequences, unique camera techniques, wacky getups or sharp one-liners - then Telugu movies won't disappoint. However, don't expect moments of deep resonance where you think, yes, that's exactly how it should have been. These films have an eye for spectacle and an ear for entertainment, but they often lack heart.

So the name Robinhood might evoke a sense of warmth and heroism, but the movie itself doesn't quite deliver on that promise. That said, it does offer plenty of action and comedy. But sadly, Nithiin's comeback with this movie after a string of flops is, well, not a comeback. And also, cricketer David Warner's Tollywood debut will probably be wasted.

An orphaned boy, Ram (Nithiin), has a deep sense of empathy for the weak and helpless. Moved by the miserable conditions of fellow orphans, he turns to stealing from the wealthy and corrupt, using the money to fund charities and orphanages - much like a modern-day Robin Hood. However, his actions soon put him on the radar of law enforcement. To evade capture, he takes up a job as a security agent under John Snow (Rajendra Prasad).

His assignment is to protect Neera (Sree Leela), a wealthy yet naive Australian NRI visiting her ancestral home in Rudrakonda. Unknown to her, a ruthless villain, Saamy (Devdatta Nage), has taken over her land, using it to cultivate marijuana for drug lord David (Australian cricketer David Warner) while ruling the entire region with an iron fist.

Robinhood was promoted for a long time as a refreshing heist comedy-action entertainer and was touted as Nithiin's big comeback. I believed it too. But it turns out, it's not. And let us also make it loud and clear: this is not a heist movie.

Sure, the film starts with a few inventive heist sequences, but within minutes Ram takes up a security agent's job, and the story veers off in an entirely different direction, and becomes a never-ending rescue mission. Ram transforms into an all-powerful, all-knowing, ultra-strong and effortlessly humourous superhero - shifting between these modes in the blink of an eye.

Indeed, every key character - be it drug lord David, marijuana grower Saamy or security agency owner John Snow - appears to exist solely to highlight Ram's larger-than-life heroism. The film throws in everything it can to present Nithiin as an all-rounder, but in the process it loses its own identity. And post-interval, it also starts to feel like the hero has no real mission, let alone a Robin Hood-style purpose.

Another big problem with the movie is its predictability. You can almost always see exactly where it's headed. You know who is going where, who is going to fight whom, and what the outcome will be. The only element of surprise is how the action will unfold - whether through punches, split-kicks, machetes or bullets.

The individual subplots are equally disjointed. Take Ram and Neera's relationship, for instance. Their dynamic feels strictly friend zone, yet the movie forces in three romantic song-and-dance sequences between them. It's awkwardly out of place, making the romance feel more like an obligation than an organic part of the story. Or maybe to serve as a pre-release promo.

The only saving graces are the comedy and action sequences, which work as standalone moments. While some comic situations are undeniably lame, Vennela Kishore and Rajendra Prasad manage to make them enjoyable with their distinct mannerisms. Take for example the scene where Neera says "my forefathers" and John Snow misinterprets it as her "four fathers". On paper it might not seem all that funny, but on screen their delivery and timing make it surprisingly amusing.

Similarly, the high-octane action sequences, some of which remind you of Kick, are a treat to watch, showcasing impressive fight choreography. However, the sheer amount of action feels excessive and unnecessary for the film's narrative.

Nithiin looks effortlessly stylish throughout the movie, excelling in the action and dance sequences. Unfortunately, he doesn't get much opportunity to act - as in, delivering a performance beyond action.

Vennela Kishore and Rajendra Prasad share significant screen time, elevating the comic moments despite weak dialogues and unremarkable situations. Kishore, in particular, has a knack for making even the most mundane lines amusing with his impeccable comic timing and delivery.

Devdatta Nage as the local drug mafia head is convincingly menacing. With his towering presence and intense demeanour, he somewhat resembles Garuda from KGF throughout the film.

The biggest surprise in the cast is David Warner. He appears for barely two minutes as a psychotic drug lord, casually killing people for no apparent reason. His character shoots people with the same detachment as one would complete routine tasks - without much emotion - but is well-written despite its meagre screentime. And he is surprisingly good with the acting.

Prakash Kumar's background score is decent. The song and dance sequences are forgettable, though. On the production front, the film is top-notch. The makers have chosen visually stunning locations, from sprawling concrete jungles to dense real jungles, giving the movie a rich and immersive look. The fictional Rudrakonda village, in particular, appears surreal, nestled among mountains, valleys, rivers and lush greenery.

Robinhood is strictly for Nithiin fans. Others might be better off waiting for its OTT release.