KILL
was like The Raid, Train to Busan, John Wick, and Gasper Noe's fire hydrant rolled into one fat J. A fun ride, reminiscent of prime 2000's asian action flicks.
This that They Not Like Us energy. If you thought K Dot was doing too much to Drake, sit this one out. Title card drops over halfway through the movie, when you know you fucked around and about to find out. Read online it was his first time in this type of role, but Lakshya killed it. "You're a monster! I killed like, four of your friends, you killed 40 of my family!" Not sure if this is considered Bollywood but fuckin great job! If you're critical, yes it could have corny scenes to try and justify all the relentless beatdowns, but try and put yourself in my mans shoe and enjoy the ride. No musical though, go check it out!
Kill (2024) Official Trailer - Lakshya, Raghav Juyal, Tanya Maniktala (youtube.com)
SYNOPSIS: In a daring mission to stop an arranged marriage, army commando Amrit (Lakshya) discovers that his true love, Tulika (Tanya Maniktala), is being forced into matrimony against her will. He boards a train bound for New Delhi, determined to derail the nuptials. However, Amrit's quest is interrupted when a ruthless gang of knife-wielding thieves, led by the menacing Fani (Raghav Juyal), unleash terror upon the innocent passengers. Amrit bravely takes on the thieves, engaging in a high-stakes, death-defying spree to protect those around him.Amrit is more than just a commando; he's a force of nature, fueled by love and armed with unwavering determination. Amidst adversity, he forges a path through a storm of blades, safeguarding all in his wake. Each strike, each confrontation, tests the limits of their resilience.
REVIEW: In his film KILL, Nikhil Nagesh Bhat draws inspiration from actual events involving real-life "dacoits" who terrorized Indian trains, once robbing the very train the filmmaker himself was sleeping on during his university years. The film is a tragic love story that explores the human condition and the power of love as it echoes elements of the 1988 classic "Die Hard" and the intense, bloody action of Gareth Evans' 2011 film "The Raid: Redemption."
Nikhil Nagesh Bhat's screenplay artfully combines promises fulfilled, consequences of actions, a tragic love story, martial arts, and multiple knife fights, along with unexpected twists. The initial action and flight sequences maintain a specific tone until 46 minutes in, when tragic events shift the mood, and the title card, "KILL," appears. As Amrit's rage intensifies, the fight scenes escalate in intensity and gore. Meanwhile, a philosophical debate ensues between the leader of the thieves and his second in command, his son, regarding their approach to handling situations. Amrit goes to extremes, especially as he transforms one of the train cars into a charnel house of dead thieves. The screenplay culminates in a brutal, relentless, and bloody final confrontation. Character development through arcs is limited; instead, the focus is on the consequences of actions and a hero's transformation into a selfless man of action.
The production values and costumes are solid, afterall it is a train with different class cars. The flight choreography was dazzling, especially after the 46 minute mark, and there are some nicely designed stunts. The fight sequences are intensely edited, enhanced by some impressive sound design and a compelling score by Ketan Sodha. The framing and lighting keep it real. The lighting design and color palette nicely transform the atmosphere of the film as it descends into carnage and madness. The stage blood is effective, but there are a few scenes when it turns up on glass/windows where it looks a bit thin. Overall, it is a masterful orchestration of elements that crafts an intense, high energy thriller on a claustrophobic passenger train headed to New Delhi.
The cast's performances are captivating. Lakshya, with his charm and charisma, handles the action sequences with the finesse of a martial arts professional. Tanya Maniktala, as his love interest, matches Lakshya's appeal, bringing balance and depth to their relationship. Her haunting swan song transforms the film's tone, making Lakshya's actions as Amrit more intense. Raghav Juyal's portrayal of the villain is exceptional, evoking comparisons to Alan Rickman's Hans Gruber from "Diehard." He presents a cunning and fierce antagonist, infused with elements reminiscent of Michael Madsen's Mr. Blonde from "Reservoir Dogs." Ashish G Vidyarthi, who plays Beni, Fani's father and the patriarch of the thieves' gang, offers a contrasting villainous perspective. The scenes between Vidyarthi and Juyal are captivating and fresh, exploring the complexities of their gangster relationship. The supporting cast, consisting of 33 goons, adds diversity and unique personalities, enhancing the energy and variety of the fight sequences.
Filmmaker Nikhil Nagesh Bhat’s action-packed thriller, KILL, features brilliant action sequences and a transformative character, catalyzed by a tragic event near the 46-minute mark. Despite the escalating body count, the film retains a poignant sense of sadness, innocence, and lost love. Bhat skillfully explores the “profound dichotomy of protector versus monster,” achieving his directorial goal. A talented filmmaker, his upcoming projects are eagerly anticipated by this reviewer.
**Until we can all head back into the theaters our “COVID Reel Value” will be similar to how you rate a film on digital platforms - 👍 (Like), 👌 (It’s just okay), or 👎 (Dislike)
Watch the trailer now! Only In Theaters July 4. Starring Raghav Juyal, Lakshya, Tanya Maniktala, Hars Chhaya, Ashish Vidyarthi, Abhishek Chauhan, and Parth Tiwari.
When army commando Amrit (Lakshya) finds out his true love Tulika (Tanya Maniktala) is engaged against her will, he boards a New Delhi-bound train in a daring quest to derail the arranged marriage. But when a gang of knife-wielding thieves led by the ruthless Fani (Raghav Juyal) begin to terrorize innocent passengers on his train, Amrit takes them on himself in a death-defying kill-spree to save those around him — turning what should have been a typical commute into an adrenaline-fueled thrill ride.
Lakshya stars in Nikhil Nagesh Bhat’s KILL, from Roadside Attractions & Lionsgate July 4th 2024.
KILL, feels like the “Raid” films on a train, is written and directed by Nikhil Nagesh Bhat, KILL stars Lakshya, Tanya Maniktala, and Raghav Juyal.
From Roadside Attractions & Lionsgate, KILL is in theaters July 4th, 2024.
