Movie Details
Movie Name: L2: Empuraan
Rating: ⭐⭐½ (2.5/5)
Cast: Mohanlal, Prithviraj Sukumaran, Tovino Thomas, Manju Warrier, Abhimanyu Singh, Sooraj Venjaramoodu
Director: Prithviraj Sukumaran
Producers: Aashirvad Cinemas, Sree Gokulam Movies, Lyca Productions
Release Date: March 27, 2025
Introduction
Mohanlal’s Empuraan was one of the most awaited Malayalam movies of all time. Being a sequel to the blockbuster Lucifer (2019), the movie had enormous expectations. The buzz over its huge scale, star-studded cast, and Prithviraj Sukumaran’s direction made it a movie to look out for. But despite the strong pre-release hype, Empuraan disappoints. The movie has gorgeous visuals and a big-star cast but poor storytelling, uneven pacing, and an unhappy ending.
Storyline
The movie takes off where Lucifer had left. Jathin Ramdas (Tovino Thomas) surprises Kerala politics by launching a new party in association with the extreme right-wing faction ASA, under the leadership of Baba Bajrangi/Balraj Patel. In this political turmoil, Stephen Nedumpally (Mohanlal), aka Lucifer, is the only savior to bring order and save the state. The film traces his journey as he treads through the dark political underworld, power dynamics, and clandestine conspiracies.
Whereas the concept is interesting, its execution cannot conjure up the same nail-biting effect Lucifer managed. The script fails to keep pace and the movie subsequently loses direction.
Performances
Mohanlal again dominates the screen with his commanding presence. His languid walks, slow-motion strides, and brooding dialogues have their moments but cannot compensate for the poor screenplay.
Tovino Thomas gives a good performance, but his character development is badly managed, which results in an anticlimactic effect. Prithviraj Sukumaran, acting as actor and director, receives a major back story, and although his action scenes in the climax are interesting, his character remains one-dimensional.
Abhimanyu Singh is as expected in his performance, but Indrajith Sukumaran is a standout with a powerful performance. Kishore and the rest of the supporting cast perform their duties well, but they do not get sufficient screen time to make an impact.
Analysis
Empuraan tries to craft a grand political thriller but winds up as a style-over-substance effort. The film takes the first half to introduce and build its world and characters, with the odd standout, including Mohanlal’s entry and a visceral interval sequence. The second half, though opening strong, however quickly goes off track.
The character of the villain is two-dimensional, and the script seems repetitive. The movie tries hard to keep it tense throughout but ends up like a dragged-out climax with nothing emotional about it. The heavy dependence on style, slow motion, and flashy visuals cannot replace the absence of a compelling narrative.
The other significant drawback is the lukewarm development of characters. Many key figures get too little screen time and their story arcs abruptly conclude with no closure.
Technical Aspects
One of Empuraan’s biggest plus points is production value. It appears majestic owing to top-rate cinematography as well as razor-sharp cutting.
- Cinematography: The visuals are breathtaking, boasting lavish frames and reflecting the ginormous proportions of the movie.
- Editing: Though incisive in action scenes, the overall pace lags because of an excessively long screenplay.
- Music & BGM: The background score is good in patches but lacks the intensity of Lucifer.
Even with these positives, the execution of the film fails to live up to its technical excellence, making it hollow and unexciting.
Positives & Negatives
Positives:
✔ Breathtaking visuals and lavish production values
✔ Gripping opening sequences
✔ Mohanlal’s commanding screen presence
✔ The second half’s opening 20 minutes are promising
Negatives:
❌ Poor character development and supporting plots
❌ Pedestrian screenplay with uneven pacing
❌ Excessive use of slow-motion scenes and aestheticizations
❌ Shortage of emotional resonance and compelling storytelling
Read Also :- Empuraan Shatters Records with Historic Advance Sales – One of India’s Biggest Openings
Final Verdict
Empuraan is a visually stunning yet narratively weak sequel. Despite its grand scale, high-profile cast, and stylish presentation, the film fails to capture the magic of Lucifer. Mohanlal’s presence and a few well-executed moments keep it watchable, but the dull execution and lackluster writing prevent it from being the thrilling political drama it aspires to be.
For hardcore Mohanlal fans, Empuraan may still be a pleasant watch, but for those looking for a suspenseful, well-made sequel, this movie is a huge disappointment.
Final Rating: 2.5/5
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