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The Hindu
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Moonwalk movie review: A heartfelt tribute to the breakdancing subculture
Moonwalk (Malayalam) Starring: Anunath V.P., Sujith Prapanchan, Sreekanth Murali, Sanjana Doss, Meenakshi Raveendran, Rishi Kainikkara, Arjun Manilal Direction: Vinod A.K. Storyline: A group of youth take up breakdancing, but the ride ahead is filled with obstacles Runtime: 118 minutes Evoking a time period is a challenge of a lesser order as opposed to effectively transporting the audience to that period. A few carefully chosen props might be enough to pull off the former, while the latter involves the arduous task of authentically capturing the zeitgeist of that time and hitting all the right notes to make it believable for those who might have lived through those times. In Moonwalk, debutant filmmaker Vinod A.K. makes a bold attempt for the latter and lands stylishly on his toes, evoking the iconic dance move of the early 1990s. The world that he recreates is the early 1990s in the coastal and rural belts of Thiruvananthapuram or rather more specifically, the emergence of a breakdancing subculture among groups of youths during that period. Of course, there are the grainy VHS tape visuals, Walkman, STD booths, disco-inspired costumes, frizzy long hair, Michael Jackson fanhood and every other nostalgia-evoking material from those times, but all of these are woven organically into a straight-forward, simple plot that holds an emotional pull. Part of Moonwalk's zestful appeal rests with its fresh cast of young performers, many of whom were not probably born during the period in which the film is set. Yet, that does not come as a barrier for them in convincingly portraying the demeanour of the youths of that period. Prasanth Pillai's groovy disco-synth soundtrack which goes in step with Ansar Shah's cinematography sets the rhythm for the film quite early on, managing to hook the audience and carrying them along even through the mundane moments. He comes up with an era-evoking soundtrack that lends character, colour, and an irresistible energy to the film. The lack of a major, earth-shattering conflict in the lives of these youths can be held against the film, but they do go through enough experiences for their age, from picking up avoidable fights due to their hot-headedness to facing parental pressures owing to their chosen art and the staple physical makeovers that goes with it. The romances are fleeting affairs that fills the time between their dance practises and performances, but even these are imbued with some character like the personally chosen mix-tape that one of them gifts the other. Vinod A.K., who has written the screenplay with Mathew Varghese and Sunil Gopalakrishnan, also plays with some interesting juxtapositions between rural and urban youth as well as the class differences that comes into play during interactions between them as well as with the police force. The way some of the working class characters blend their new-found dance moves to their jobs is a delight. The film hits its high towards the end with a solo dance performance that really lifts it when it appeared to sag a bit. The character arc of the dancer also ends up as one of the highlights of the film. In a way, the character's struggles are reflective of the challenges in bringing the film to the theatres after it remained without any takers for some years. Moonwalk is a heartfelt tribute to a time period and to the breakdancing subculture that ruled the campuses and street venues during that time. Moonwalk is currently running in cinemas.
Time of India
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
‘Moon Walk' release date: Dance drama to hit the theatres on THIS date
(Picture Courtesy: Facebook) The much-awaited dance drama 'Moon Walk', presented by acclaimed filmmaker Lijo Jose Pellissery and top producer Listin Stephen, is gearing up for its grand theatrical release on May 30. The film promises a nostalgic dive into the break dance craze of the 1980s and '90s, telling a story of youth, passion, and rebellion. A dance-driven tale of friendship and dreams 'Moon Walk' revolves around a group of pre-degree youngsters who are passionately immersed in music, dance, love, and the vibrant thrill of adolescence. Set against the backdrop of the global breakdance wave that once swept across youth culture, the film brings alive the excitement, tensions, and camaraderie among a tight-knit group of friends. 03:38 Narivetta | Song - Vaada Veda Directed by debutant Vinod A.K., who previously made his mark in the advertising world, the film offers a fresh narrative lens combined with a nostalgic retro vibe. The movie's choreography is handled by the talented Sreejith Master, ensuring that dance is not just part of the story — it's the soul of it. Strong technical crew behind the scenes Backed by Magic Frames, Amen Movie Monastery, and Firewood Shows, the film boasts a solid technical lineup: cinematography by Ansar Shah, editing by Deepu Joseph and Kiran Das, sound design by Ranganath Ravi, and art direction by Sabu Mohan. From vibrant costume design by Dhanya Balakrishnan to powerful action sequences by Mafia Sasi, the crew has crafted a magnificent cinematic experience. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025 Top Trending local enterprise accounting software [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo A cast of fresh faces and trusted veterans 'Moon Walk' features a group of newcomers in pivotal roles, young actors who portray the pulse and passion of Kerala's dance-loving generation. Alongside them, familiar faces like Sreekanth Murali, Veena Nair, Sanjana Dos, and Meenakshi Ravindran play key supporting roles. The script is co-written by Vinod A.K., Mathew Varghese, and Sunil Gopalakrishnan, with music by acclaimed composer Prashant Pillai. The lyrical team includes Vinayak Sasikumar, Sunil Gopalakrishnan, and Nithin V. Nair. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
