The film "Kantara Chapter 1" (also referred to as Kantara 2) has received mostly positive reviews with praise for its visuals, technical brilliance, and powerful storytelling. It is a prequel to the 2022 film Kantara. Review highlights include:
- The movie is described as a powerful cinematic experience with a slow first half that picks up pace, culminating in an outstanding and intense second half with a grand mythological and divine theme. It has a runtime of about 2 hours 48 minutes.
- Technically, the film is lauded for its stunning visuals, spellbinding VFX especially with animals, grand action sequences, and top-notch production values. The cinematography and music score received appreciation.
- Rishab Shetty's acting and direction stand out, with his portrayal during divine possession scenes being exceptional. Rukmini Vasanth's role is also acknowledged positively as well as performances by other actors like Jayaram.
- Some criticisms include a slow and somewhat dragged pacing in the first half, overstuffed sequences rushing important details, and underwhelming characterization of certain roles.
- Social media reactions and early reviews call it a cinematic experience, visually breathtaking, and a significant moment for Kannada cinema, with some calling it a blockbuster-worthy film.
- Overall ratings from critics hover around good marks, for example, 3.25/5 from 123telugu and 4+ stars from some reviewers.
In summary, "Kantara Chapter 1" is a visually spectacular, intense folk mythology action drama with strong performances and technical finesse, recommended for cinema lovers though it may have some pacing and narrative minor flaws.
