Game Changer movie review: This Ram Charan-starrer is a passable political thriller with Shankar's signature style

3/5

Game Changer Story

Ram Nandan(Ram Charan) is a very dedicated IAS officer. He takes on the corrupt system being sabotaged by Mopidevi(SJ Suryah), whose only aim is to become the CM of Andhra. The basic crux of Game Changer is how the government servant played by Ram Charan spoils all of Mopidevi's plans and how a personal flashback of him is related to the whole story.

Game Changer Review

Game Changer is written by director Karthika Subbaraja and directed by the legendary filmmaker Shankar. The political thriller marks Shankar's comeback after lying low due to the failure of Indian 2. This time, he delivers a proper commercial potboiler that is decent in execution. 

Shankar weaves a story around the political system, focusing on how the son of a Chief Minister (CM) is determined to become the next CM by any means necessary. Amidst this, Shankar incorporates a very emotional flashback and showcases Ram Charan in dual avatars.

Shankar is known for his social dramas, and Game Changer is no exception. Corrupt politicians and a government servant opposing them are themes he has tackled in many of his films. While the premise is familiar, the issues showcased here are contemporary. 

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Shankar delves into how an IAS officer, staying within his limits, becomes a thorn in the side of corrupt politicians. Though this setup feels routine, the interval twist is solid. The revelation of Ram Charan's character being announced as the next CM by Srikanth's character is a masterstroke by Shankar, ending the first half strongly and setting the tone beautifully for the second.

In the second half, Shankar wastes no time as he takes us into an emotional flashback featuring Ram Charan as Appanna. While the angle of him forming a party and working for societal good might seem routine, Shankar's addition of the stammering aspect to Appanna's character is commendable. However, once the story returns to the present, the cat-and-mouse game between the hero and the villain becomes repetitive. The confrontation between Ram Charan and SJ Suryah feels familiar, as it has been showcased in several Shankar films before.

The film also has its share of drawbacks. The romantic track between Ram Charan and Kiara Advani feels tedious and could have been shortened. Similarly, Jayaram's silly comedy detracts from the narrative. Shankar's portrayal of his vision for a free election doesn't land effectively, as the narration becomes ordinary. The drama that is typically associated with Shankar's films is notably missing in the second half.

Coming to the performances, Ram Charan once again delivers a solid act. His sincere performance keeps the audience engaged. The global star plays two distinct roles and shines as Appanna, bringing authenticity to the character's walk, talk, and emotions. Anjali, who plays Ram Charan's wife, does a good job, while Kiara Advani's role feels underutilized and adds little value to the story. 

SJ Suryah is once again terrific, earning appreciation from audiences in Telugu-speaking states. His hospital scenes with Srikanth and confrontations with Ram Charan are highlights of the film. Sunil is decent, while Srikanth delivers an impressive performance, adding depth to the proceedings. After a long gap, he proves his mettle with a strong role.

Thaman's music is ordinary, with songs that are visually grand but unremarkable. A slow number, "Hyraaana," was removed from the final cut, disappointing fans. However, Thaman's background score elevates the political drama significantly. The production values are good but not as grand as seen in typical Shankar films. 

The screenplay is engaging in parts, especially scenes involving the protagonist's announcement as CM and the backstory. The dialogues are well-written, and the production design is neat. Overall, Game Changer is a better outing than Indian 2 and offers decent entertainment. While it may not rank among Shankar's best works, he narrates the film competently, even if the plot feels routine.

Game Changer Verdict

On the whole, Game Changer is a better film than Shankar's last outing, Indian 2. Ram Charan shines in his double role and the confrontations scenes featuring him and SJ Suryah stand out. Though the plot sounds a bit predictable, Shankar does not experiment much and narrates the film in a simple yet neat manner. 

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