Bahubali 2 - The Conclusion

wogma rating: Add to that never-watched 'To Watch' list (?) - However, if you watch a film just for the grandiose, go to the theaters.

quick review:

There is drama in a film and then there is grand drama. In the latter, the story matters even less. It is the scale, the action, the special effects that the film is shooting for and achieves.

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Director: S S Rajamouli
Running time: 165 minutes
Genres: Action
More Movie Info

Bahubali 2 - The Conclusion - Preview

You could have told me this is Bahubali – The Beginning's trailer and I would have believed you. Sure, some of it can be blamed to my poor memory but a lot of it can be attributed to the same sets, cinematography, romance, dance and love for action.

The trailer doesn't even take a shot at showing us the sequel's conflict or cliffhanger. It is just happy with the exotic nature of it all. I am gearing up to see more of the same, while still hoping that it is not.

Music Reviews:
Bollywood Life – "3.5/5"
Milliblog - "Generously opulent, but with no stand-outs, audio-wise."
Music Aloud – "3/5"

- meeta, a part of the audience

Each frame of the film is exquisite - each one grand enough for you to stare at and admire for a long time. For that reason alone, Bahubali 2 could make for a theater watch – especially if all you want to consume, is the scale. For the rest of us though, who want story, minimal coherence, etc, we have no business loitering around in the general area where this film is playing.

all the screen time is taken over by dramatic slo-mo entry and loud background music.

The latter part of the audience, meanwhile can amuse themselves by playing, “Which profile picture defines Bahubali (Prabhas) better? The one of him dreamily sitting on a tree or the majestic one on a throne or the one with him fighting the enemy's army with a tree trunk.” In the first half, you could also ponder over questions like, “Why did Kattappa (Sathyaraj) not get killed by Bahubali in episode 1?” Yeah, he annoys that bad.

However, the first half also takes a step towards showing women as strong characters. The action sequences don't sexualise Devsena (Anushka Shetty), but are rather matter-of-factly. Also, both the women, Devsena and Sivagami (Ramya Krishnan) – right or wrong – hold their ground. In fact, it is ironical that a film that is mostly set in a time before Bahubali – The Beginning, the women are treated with a lot more respect than they were by the next generations. The eve-teasing bit is given a solid, brash treatment that it deserves too. However, as the film tries to patch its way to “The Beginning”, you wonder what ever happened to the valiant, warrior princess

In all other ways though, the film continues what it starts in the first installment. Lots of action, so much so that by the end, the clinking of swords seems like background score. Some of it is brutal, even if done artistically or even lyrically. Unfortunately, it gently slides into amusing and then ludicrous. Look at any tree or animal around you and push your wilde imagination to use it as a weapon of mass destruction! The romance continues too, where clouds double as horses and flowers, soldiers turn into dancers and so on.

That is all you expected from this film and that is what you get in abudnance. The actors join in, in the continuity with Ramya Krishnan as “She who doesn't blink” and Prabhas who is equally determined and passionate whether he is a noble warrior or a make-shift engineer. The expressions don't change. Rana Daggubati and Sathyaraj need add no new dimension to their character either. The only refereshing change is that of Anushka Shetty.

This is of course, because the screenplay demands little variation. Bahubali has a broad Mahabharat-esque story. But without any of its complexities. Because all the screen time is taken over by dramatic slo-mo entry and loud background music. There isn't much room to bring in nuances and unfortunately, neither did the makers feel the need.

But that is for the handful in the audience like me. The visuals are mesmerizing. You get an inkling of the scale as the censor board certificate is followed by an endless list of partners. The patient wait for the film to actually begin is well worth it. The opening credit sequence itself made me wish I had opted for the IMAX tickets, even if it was double the price. As I saw the film progress, I didn't think I would have regretted the decision, though I didn't mind saving the ₹250 – because ultimately, the want for a solid story always dominates.

the women are treated with a lot more respect than they were by the next generations.

~ ~ ~

ps: I watched the version dubbed in Hindi.

- meeta, a part of the audience

37 reviewers(?) - 30 yays 3 so-so 4 nays

Warning: clicking on "full review" will take you to an external website that could contain spoilers.

Thumbs up, by Baradwaj Rangan, Blogical Conclusion, The New Sunday Express : ...We tend to lump all our larger-than-life entertainers into the ‘masala’ category, but Rajamouli sees masala not just as a style but as a legitimate genre, derived from myth. ... full review

Thumbs up, by Bobby Sing, Bobby Talks Cinema.com : ...Where the viewers need to accept that there is much superior cinema being made in the country in its regional languages, the big names need to realize that films can also work on non-holiday weekends with lesser known cast, solely winning over the box office with their strong content. ... full review

Thumbs up, by Taran Adarsh, Bollywood Hungama : ...Roll out the red carpet... Blow the conch shells... Beat the drums... It's time to celebrate... full review

Thumbs up, by SURESH KAVIRAYANI, Deccan Chronicle : ...Compared to the first part, the director added more drama and emotional scenes in this concluding film.... full review

Thumbs up, by smitavkumar , Desi Martini : ...The fights that are the high point for most audiences are also extremely well done though I found the violence in a few scenes to be too graphic and extreme... full review

Thumbs up, by Yugantika Sharma , Desi Martini : ...The film is even more ambitious than its prequel.... full review

Thumbs up, by Sarita A Tanwar , DNA : ...You are thirsting for action and drama, and you are served romance for most part. ... full review

Thumbs up, by Rachit Gupta, Filmfare : ...Watching Prabhas’ Baahubali and Anushka Shetty's Devasena fight in-sync like a warrior duo made in heaven is pure bliss. ... full review

Thumbs up, by Hemanth Kumar, FirstPost : ...All this and the conflict between the characters makes Baahubali 2 a spectacle which will hook you right from the word go. ... full review

Thumbs up, by Subhash K Jha, Free Press Journal : ...The second instalment of the great Baahubali franchise is so lush, luscious and luminous, it’s like being transported repeatedly to a paradisaical peak, not once not twice but over and over again. ... full review

Thumbs up, by Johnson Thomas, Free Press Journal : ...Borrowing plot-twists from the Mahabharata and Ramayana, Rajamouli brandishes healthy doses of reverence, intrigue and valorific repugnance in order to give ‘good’ a bigger boost over ‘evil’. ... full review

Thumbs up, Glamsham.com : ...Writers Vijayendra Prasad, S.S. Rajamouli (screenplay) and Manoj Muntashir (dialogue) develop the characters where the story of Amarendra Baahubali (Prabhas) gives a man who strongly believes in dharma than anything else. - See more at: http://www.glamsham.com/movies/reviews/baahubali-2-the-conclusion-movie-review.asp#sthash.DLHVm1JZ.dpuf... full review

Thumbs up, by Suhani Singh , india today : ... The finale, featuring the uncle and nephew battling it out in Gladiator style, has a few awe-inspiring moments even as the conclusion is already known.... full review

Thumbs up, by Anish Mohanty , Kia Gia : ...Prabhas delivered a respectable performance in 'Baahubali The Beginning' but he is simply extraordinary here. ... full review

Thumbs up, by Surabhi Redkar, koimoi : ...There’s comic relief in these portions and it’s amazing how the writers have moulded Katappa’s otherwise tough and dutiful character to funny antics here.... full review

Thumbs up, by Mayank Shekhar , MiD DAY : ...Like a fine-dine restaurant over a franchise, 'Baahubali 2' is, firstly, a stand-alone film. ... full review

Thumbs up, by Jaidev Hemmady, Movie Talkies : ...Rana, who plays the antagonist Bhallal, has such a strong and imposing physical presence that his mere glower will make you shiver. ... full review

Thumbs up, by Kunal Guha, Mumbai Mirror : ...Given the cinematic benchmark the first part set, managing the same visual treat was a Herculean task. But the biggest victory for the film's VFX team is that their work is barely visible here.... full review

Thumbs up, by Raja Sen, NDTV : ...Prabhas Is A Hero To Celebrate In Film That's Better Than The Original... full review

Thumbs up, by Rajeev Masand, News18.com : ...Devsena, in fact, is a crucial player in the new film, a skilled warrior and, admirably, a fiery feminist who won’t let others make life decisions for her.... full review

Thumbs up, by Manisha Lakhe, Now Running.com : ...But even if you missed the original film, this film, Bahubali 2, satisfies your thirst for fantasy, blood and gore and romance.... full review

Thumbs up, by Sukanya Verma, Rediff : ...There are times Baahubali shows the strain of expectation, especially in the second half’s doddering pace, lacklustre combat and excessive, unconvincing use of VFX but when it communicates from a place of heart, it moves and enthralls. ... full review

Thumbs up, by Udita Jhunjhunwala, Scroll.in : ...The action moves smoothly, even though the songs do slow down the narrative. You hardly feel the 171-minute running time, nor do you tire of seeing Prabhas and Anushka Shetty on the screen. ... full review

Thumbs up, Sify Movies : ...The second half also goes on smoothly till the revealing point of what prompted Kattappa to kill Baahubali. Thereafter, it loses the steam. ... full review

Thumbs up, Sify Movies : ...The biggest highlight of Baahubali 2 is MM Keeravani. His songs and background score are truly epic.... full review

Thumbs up, by Sangeetha Devi Dundoo, The Hindu : ...he gives us well-defined back-stories (story by Vijayendra Prasad) with the necessary emotional heft.... full review

Thumbs up, by Meena Iyer, Times of India : ... Baahubali has been sketched out as such a symbol of strength and power that he makes you root for him throughout. Prabhas is terrific as father and son. ... full review

Thumbs up, by Josh, Upper Stall : ...But these end up being quibbles if you let yourself be overtaken by the visual splendour. ... full review

Thumbs up, by Sowmya Rajendran, yahoo! India : ...eedless to say, Ramya Krishnan holds her own and proves why she's the only actor who could have played the complex Sivagami.... full review

Thumbs up, by Raghav Jaitly, Zee News : ...will completely blow your mind away with its sheer perfection and unpredictability.... full review

So-So, by Dipanjan Sinha, Hindustan Times : ...There is a lot more in this fairytale world: A new city where Baahubali meets his future wife Devsena (Anushka Shetty), splendid views of a moonlit war ... full review

So-So, by Saibal Chatterjee , NDTV : ... ultimately only a lightweight yarn buttressed by flashy technical inputs designed to dazzle and disarm the audience.... full review

So-So, by Sreehari Nair, Rediff : ...Exactly the kind of picture that Pedro Almodovar was talking about in his following theory: "When a movie has a profusion of bad tastes, it becomes a style."... full review

Thumbs down, by Anna MM Vetticad, FirstPost : ...The proportion of the ingredients has been changed though, with myth and socially regressive themes being scaled down, family politics being scaled up, and the decibel levels being raised by several notches.... full review

Thumbs down, by Shubhra Gupta, indian express : ...At the end of nearly three hours, I can tell you that the second part is not half as satisfying or fun as the original.... full review

Thumbs down, by Anurag Bohra, indian express : ...It’s time the Indian viewer is taken seriously by film content writers and is spared of sanskaari narratives. ... full review

Thumbs down, by Uday Bhatia, Live Mint : ... Baahubali 2 is undoubtedly a spectacular action film. It’s also a tradition-bound, caste-conscious macho militarist fantasy.... full review

15 tweeters(?) - 15 yays 0 so-so 0 nays

YasmineDiiz_: Baahubali 2 is so so goooddddd

sujatagrk: Bahubali 2 camera is stellar. Prabas tremendous. Anushka is heavenly. Rana is tremendous. Ramyakrishna phenomenal. Our Satayaraj A 1.

sudarshan11190: A real eye opener for those who turn blind eye towards South cinema. And yes Bahubali is Telugu and not Tamil. https://t.co/0agpwUYHw0

Srimathumitha: Bahubali 2!!! What a masterpiece! A beautiful epic sculpted painstakingly to take audience on a fantasy ride!!! Salute to @ssrajamouli sir!

realindianshady: Just saw Bahubali 2, one word, GRAND!!

Poojapa63679047: Bahubali movie is awesome & Bahubali 2 movie also awesome

navina2906: Bahubali 2 was super duper awesomeeee

jenxoxo26: Baahubali 2 was worth the wait !

ImSana18: Watched Bahubali 2! India's biggest film for a reason! What a perfect film. #prabhas #Anushka @RanaDaggubati @meramyakrishnan @ssrajamouli

Deepak4000Yadav: Ek baar se dil nahi bhrta shab ek baar aur dekhenge bahubali 2 .. amazing movie 5 ✡ rating awesome @prabha

beingsiva_: Baahubali 2 was a awesome experience.

bala_murugan_g: No words on ur acting in bahubali 2.. @Me_Prabhas

Ajaybhardwajab: Watched Bahubali 2 Stupendous movie औरत पर हाथ डालने वाले की अंगुली नहीं गला काटा जाता है । https://t.co/NbK6UI5oqU

AchuAkshay: Baahubali 2 - The Conclusion ❤️ Worth it!

5udhir: Some thoughts on @ssrajamouli 's Baahubali 2: The Conclusion https://t.co/NcvcIAfyBu

10 readers - 8 yays 2 so-so 0 nays

Want to Watch, by raj : Let's watch and then only comment.

Yay! Thumbs Up, by ADORN : Must watch

Yay! Thumbs Up, by Anuj

Yay! Thumbs Up, by Chintan Mehta : 4* or 8/10

Yay! Thumbs Up, by Fan : Saas bhi kabhi Bahubali thi.

Yay! Thumbs Up, by Neelam : Great Movie..

Yay! Thumbs Up, by prasanth surapaneni : Five Stars

Yay! Thumbs Up, by Sagar

Yay! Thumbs Up, by Sarah : 90

So-So, by nirmal : LAZINESS IN CREATIVITY HIDDEN BEHIND THE VISUALS

So-So, by TimELiebe : Saw it - and Felt Like Characters Got Lost in The LONG Flashback, and the Ending Felt Rushed

This page has additional observations, other than the ones noted in the main review.

Parental Guidance:

  • Violence: Loads and loads
  • Language: Clean
  • Nudity & Sexual content: No nudity. A lip-to-lip peck
  • Concept: The politics of power and struggle for it.
  • General Look and Feel: Grand, very grand. Each frame is spectacularly ornate.

Detailed Ratings (out of 5):

Direction:
Story:
Lead Actors:
Character Artists:
Dialogues:
Screenplay:
Music Director:
Lyrics:

Bahubali 2 - The Conclusion - Cast, crew, links

Producer:
Cinematography:
Costume Designer:
Running time:
165 minutes
Reviewer:
Language:
Country:
Genres:

Comments (16)

Click here for new comment

Rajesh

Let's watch and then only comment. You no-where compared Bahubali2 with Bahubali1. Tell which one is better and more engrossing?

raj

Let's watch and then only comment. You no-where compared Bahubali2 with Bahubali1. Tell which one is better.

Anuj

The BAAHUBALI franchise is a masterpiece. Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, all versions all languages, cutting across geographical barriers, cutting across regional and linguistic divide, cutting across economic divisions, Indian cinema's biggest moment since #SHOLAY is here... Baahubali 2. SS Rajamouli has done to Indian cinema what BR Chopra did to the small screen with the #MAHABHARATA television series back in the 80's.
For the record, part 1 is still the HIGHEST GROSSING domestic movie till date, even ahead of Dangal. Part 2 will only go exponentially higher.

I truly feel that you have underrated the movie a lot...I do agree there is too much ham in it but still deserves a 4* rating from every possible angle...

Fan

Saas bhi kabhi Bahu(bali) thi.

I think it resumes well what plays out on the screen, in this much
awaited Conclusion.

The makers seem to have been heavily influenced by something that
started out as a sidey joke by a B-grade comedian and which turned into
a buzz-sentence "Why did Katappa kill Bahubali?" The whole movie seems
to be geared towards answering this question, even though that is the
most stupidest of things to ask. And when the moment finally arrives, it
is stretched out and milked out to the most with heavy emotional music,
slo-mo etc.

The movie starts off without any introduction or explanation of the
"story so far". It assumes that everyone who has come to watch the
conclusion has watched the beginning.

A large part of the initial half is straight out of your typical South
Indian masala film, songs breaking out almost all the time, comedians
mouthing loud comic stuff that cater to the South Indian audiences but
fall flat on Hindi movie audiences, etc. And as with your typical masala
South Indian film you have your [comment partially deleted because it
describes a scene] - you name the South Indian audience pleasing stunt
and it is in there. [comment partially deleted because it describes a
scene], I just found it your typical masala gimmicky nothing more, but
the girl in the young couple sitting next to us found it romantic, cause
I overheard her telling her partner 'How romantic, would you do
something like this for me?' So I suppose there are audiences who love
such fantasies.

I waited patiently for all these extra reels made to just have a high
running time roll off. And then the real movie starts.

The story is quite interestingly played out once it starts. The chess
like steps played out by the baddies are quite interesting. Mahabharata
kind of look and feel. The world of dynasties and royals all over the
world, Asia or Europe, has almost always been a bloody affair. The lust
for power has always pitted brother against brother. No different in
Bahubali then.

The ending is obviously easy to guess for anyone. It is the journey to
the end which is made interesting. And there we come to the USP of
Bahubali. What a journey. Grandiose, spectacular, breathtaking. The
details, the camera spanning, the colours, the perfection, full marks.
It makes for an incredible viewing, the visuals are the best seen in an
Indian film. Sanjay Leela Bhansali might get an inferiority complex
watching Bahubali. Another area worthy of mention are the action scenes.
Beautifully choreographed. Clearly one of the best actions seen in
Indian films too. Special mention for the fluidity in which [comment
partially deleted because it describes a scene] whilst fighting against
enemies, superbly choreographed - really music in motion. Although as in
the first instalment some of those computer graphics are visible as
computer graphics. But let's ignore some minor aberrations amongst the
overall superbly produced effects.

Overall, if you have to watch it then watch it on giant screen. Should
you watch it? If you enjoyed Bahubali the beginning then go for it, very
high probability that you will enjoy the Conclusion because it is a
continuation of the first part in visuals, actions. As a film with a
story probably not the best, but then neither was Bahubali - it is all
about visual delight. And finally to answer why did Katappa kill
Bahubali, your first guess was the correct guess. :-). In the end it
just boils down to a saas-bahu(bali) soap that is aired on TV, with some
spectacular visuals thrown in.

Anuj

A core Indian mythological fantasy film at its heart, Baahubali takes heavy inspiration from the Mahabharata & the Ramayana in terms of plots. subplots, conspiracies and characterization and thereby strikes a chord with every section of the audience, be it urban multiplex audiences or the single screen frequenting masses. Amarendra Baahubali shows shades of Arjuna & Bheema while Katappa's loyalty towards Mahismati reminds you of Hanuman's undeterred devotion towards Lord Ram & the Kingdom of Ayodhya . Bhalladeva's the evil envious Duryodhan of the story while his dad Bijalladeva does a Shakuni act. Powerful & commanding mother Sivagami shows shades of Kekayi & Gandhari while warrior queen Devasena's character is loosely based on Draupadi & Sita. Bhalladeva keeping Devasena captive is a direct spin off from Ravana kidnapping Sita leading to a war in the epic Ramayana. The narrative is non linear and goes back & forth keeping the viewer hooked on. The climax of part 1 turned out to be a masterstroke, perhaps leading to extensive viewership & unprecedented craze among audiences for part 2, just to know the answer to "why Katappa killed Bahubali". The movie inculcates the values of Sanatana Dharma right through its screenplay. There is a perfect blend of ancient Indian scientific techniques (Bhalladeva using a telescope to view long distance shots) as well as Hindu mythology (Krishna puja, Lord Ganesh at the Mahishmati entrance). Writer Vijendra Prasad has penned down a masterpiece. Although it must be said that the action sequences are a lot more refined and well edited in the first part while the action in part 2 is a lot more massy and stereo-typically Tollywood like. However, eventually this is Indian cinema's greatest mass entertainer since Sholay and the fact that its gonna become the highest grossing "HINDI" film ever proves my point that this is not just a south but a pan India ALL TIME HISTORIC BLOCKBUTER, the first of its kind since Mughal E Azam, Sholay & HAHK

http://bollywoodreviewguide.blogspot.in/

I am with 'Fan' and Meetu on this one. For those who think the film's nativity worked better for South Indians - meet me. I am Telugu and I was constantly frustrated throughout the film for its unnecessary drama, inconsistent VFX quality, over-the-top heroics. Some of the emotions played out quite well but overall I thought BB2 was a wasted opportunity. Wasted because with the commercial success of BB1 they already had a big fan base that could have appreciated a more original and authentic film than this product which is fraught with plagiarism, lazy direction, predictable plot.

If you do watch it, please make sure it's on the big screen, as only a BIG screen can hide all the film's flaws

http://360degreviewz.blogspot.com/2017/05/bahubali-2-conclusion-360-degree-review.html

I really enjoy to watch both part great movie and story,

Meeta - so want to see this! So can't get everybody together in one place at one time! :( :( :(

It's been held over for THREE WEEKS at the one Indian movie screen in our Upstate NY city, and every week I ask, "Bahubali 2 this week, yes? We can all meet at 6 PM in front of the theater, yes...?" No - every week everybody else bags out on me, for one reason or another, even though they want to see it too.

Loved Part 1 (we streamed it on NetFlix), and all said, "If it's showing at a theater in the US, we'll see Part 2 in the theater!" I only hope it's still in theaters next weekend....

Sagar

It's a masterpiece, you need to check your brain, there is something really wrong with it

Well, we saw it on NetFlix because it took us forever to get everybody together, and - yeah, Meeta, your review is pretty spot-on.

It's So Big! And So Broad! And Oh So Heroic and Villainous! that I kind of think they forgot Young Balubahi's love for Devsena was why he got involved in all this Sturm und Drang in the first place.

I'm glad to have all that backstory cleared up - but, did it have to be in a huge hairball of flashback that took up most of the second movie? By the time we got back to the present, I'd almost forgotten why we were here in the first place - and the movie itself treats the climax, where Heroic Young Bahubali finally faces His Evil Uncle Kattappa, almost as an afterthought.

Though - you haven't lived until you've seen how the squads of heroic soldiers close ranks in the climax with their enemy. It was so batcrap-crazy we were on the floor laughing....

@TimeELiebe :) What can I say? I'm glad you enjoyed what you enjoyed? :D

@Meeta - basically, we liked it okay, but the first part promised a far better second part than we got. And - yes, the second part backpedals on a LOT of the commendable strength of the female characters.

Anyway, there are better Indian movies out there - and as soon as Netflix US streams them, we'll be watching them again! My Indian Movie Fix has had to make do with Binge-Watches of AGENT RAGHAV, CRIME BRANCH Season 1 (which is trash, but I love it!), DARIBA DIARIES, and the First Season of BUDDHA...

Wow! @TimELiebe, I haven't even heard of some of these Netflix streams!

hello very nice movie, i love to watch it, i m waiting for Bahubali 3,

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