While Katham was a quirky, engrossing and engaging one by Anil, he has lost the plot big time with his Kandi one. 'Lord Livingstone 7000 Kandi' did start off promisingly. It has its high moments right from the start. But what should have been a riveting watch just petered out in the end.
The narration took off with character introductions. This was done quite artfully and the nuances of each characters were quite beautifully brought out, with just a slice of their lives. Each of them endears themselves to the viewers with their passion and the unusual lives they lead. Take for instance the retired IAS played by Nedumudi. He is dumped at a home for the old and acts all docile, but is at heart very rebellious and naughty. And his character is brought out not only by his actions, but also from the words of the staff at the old age home. So are all the other characters.
The last to be introduced is Kunchako Boban. He is being referred to by the others in a heroic light and as Philipose, he impresses. Greory's character brings in a lot of laughs with his ways. Only Chemban Vinod's character becomes a kind of caricature. The inhabitants of 7000 Kandi are also introduced well. Anil even manages to crticise the caste based hierarchy through his characters. There is this sarcastic scene where the retired IAS insists on being called 'Menon'.
Though visual splendor was promised, the nature depicted through the camera lens was mediocore. There wasn't anything mind blowing. Even the VFX for the tree full of firelies, the huge bear and those raging bulls were shoddy. But the underground bunker, the village up among the trees, the Tarzan like tree people, certain elements of nature like the quicksand, the peacocks et all were beautifully brought out.
Art work was really impressive. The abode of the tribals, the costumes worn by them, and especially the pros used. One of the plus sides of the movie is the novelty of the theme, settings and characters, with hints of fantasy thrown in to give across the idea of saving the forest. But what does it in is the story part, which starts promisingly, but is tied up clumsily in the end.
One would expect a spectacular retribution to send away the destroyers of the forest, considering the repeated dialogues of planning a 'surprise'. But what unfolds is a very childish play, which indeed was very 'surprising'. Though the movie had its occasional lapses, like that tattoo scene for which Greory's butt show went a tab bit long, it was the climax that was a big letdown. If the ending had been at least passable, the movie would have been a blockbuster.
In the music department, Rex Vijayan has not been able to do much justice. For a movie on nature, the metallic beat was quite unnatural. There were moments of brilliance though, but the pristine beauty of the forest is disturbed with artificial sounds that Rex uses. Anil Radhakrishnan has not used much BG. There is the stillness of the forest, the sounds of the forests et al and in the initial part not much music has been used. Thereafter the haunting music of the sorceress and healer lends a kind of mystery to the narrative.
Performance wise all have done well. sudheer Karamana stands out with his portrayal of Vedan. The others including Kunchako, Reenu, Nedumudi, Bharath, Sunny Wayne, Gregory have performed well. Sunny's characterisation is good. But Chemban Vinod has not really touched the mark as a quirky professor. He does it more like a caricatured piece. The tribals were all impressive. The language too stands out. There is English, Malayalam, Tamil, tribal languages, and other slangs mixed, which kinds of lends the theme of environmental protection a global feel.
'Lord Livingstone 7000 Kandi' is an engrossing watch till the last half an hour. The shoddy ending just ruins the entire feel of the movie. There is a documentary feel to the movie which is not a bad thing at all. But those who love emotional drama, will find it missing, and that cinematic feel is absent. If you choose to forget the climax 'Lord Livingstone 7000 Kandi' is refreshing with its unique theme and narration.
Rating - 2.5/5
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