Moonwalk Movie Review: An uplifting dance of dreams, friendship and identity

New Indian Express

3 days ago

Vinod AK's direction, particularly in the latter hour, is assured and compelling. Capturing the spirit of the late 80s without descending into mere nostalgia, he balances humour, emotion and social commentary with a deft hand. He also extracts remarkable performances from a mostly newcomer cast. While Moonwalk is not quite that landmark film, it certainly announces a confident new voice in Malayalam cinema. The screenplay, co-written by Vinod, Mathew Varghis, and Sunil Gopalakrishnan, takes a familiar underdog narrative but fills it with sincerity and warmth. The familiar beats, including clashes with authority, family pressures, and the struggle for recognition, are handled with genuine heart. The camaraderie feels real, and the dance sequences are not just performances but expressions of identity and belonging. The film's pacing matches its theme. It does not rush to dazzle but takes time to build up the story, much like a dance routine easing into its most electrifying moves.
And speaking of the big moves, Moonwalk's final act delivers. When the Moonwalkers finally get their moment to shine on stage, it is pure exhilaration. A thrilling payoff that offers an exuberant celebration of friendship, passion, identity, and triumph. Sreejit P Dazzlers' choreography reflects this journey, evolving from tentative steps to confident, sharp steps. Technically, the film impresses. Sabu Mohan's art direction and Ansar Shah's cinematography vividly evoke the late 80s Kerala landscape, from dusty streets to hand-painted signboards and vintage fashion. Prashant Pillai's music skillfully blends retro beats and soulful melodies, weaving through the narrative like a steady heartbeat. The editing by Deepu Joseph and Kiran Das keeps the tempo just right, never rushing or dragging, though the character establishment, while earnest, might feel a bit heavy-handed after a point during the first hour.
What ultimately makes Moonwalk special is its heart. It is less about grand spectacle and more about the quiet courage to dance against the odds, to find your own rhythm in a world that may not always understand you. The bond between the boys, their dreams and their struggles all come together in a story that celebrates the joy of movement, friendship and self-expression. If you want a film that not only shows dance but makes you feel it, to move with it and to live it, this is worth your time. It is more than a dance film, it is an uplifting tribute to anyone who has dared to step into the spotlight, even when the world tells them not to, and dance anyway.