L2: Empuraan Movie Review: Mohanlal and Manju Warrier shine in this grand spectacle, though Prithviraj’s direction could be more refined

L2 Empuraan: A grand sequel with bigger ambitions

Prithviraj Sukumaran raises the stakes with ‘L2: Empuraan,’ the much-anticipated sequel to ‘Lucifer.’ The film is mounted on a grander scale, packed with intense action sequences, political intrigue, and power struggles. While it succeeds in being an entertaining spectacle, it does not quite deliver a consistently riveting experience.

A grand sequel with bigger ambitions

Mohanlal's stardom is leveraged to the fullest, with every frame presenting him as an almost invincible figure. Prithviraj’s dedication to making this film a visual extravaganza is evident, yet his direction lacks the necessary sharpness. With a runtime that could have easily been trimmed by thirty minutes, the film falls short of becoming a true edge-of-the-seat thriller but entertains nonetheless.

A narrative that expands the world Lucifer

This sequel addresses several unanswered questions from ‘Lucifer,’ particularly the origins of Zayed Masood and the enigmatic personality of Khureshi Ab’raam. The film also introduces a new antagonist, Balraj Patel, aka Baba Bajrangi, played by Abhimanyu Singh, replacing Vivek Oberoi’s character from the first installment.

Structurally, ‘L2: Empuraan’ juggles multiple parallel storylines, stitching them together in a way that gives the audience a sense of an expansive, interconnected world. However, the abundance of subplots at times makes it feel like too many stories are unfolding simultaneously, causing the narrative to lose its grip in certain portions.

Political drama meets action thriller

The film kicks off with Jathin Ramdas (Tovino Thomas) nearing the end of his five-year term as Kerala’s chief minister. Determined to carve his own identity, he announces the formation of his own party, IUF (PKR), with support from Baba Bajrangi (Abhimanyu Singh), a decision that shocks the political landscape. Meanwhile, Khureshi Ab’raam (Mohanlal) is introduced in Senegal, engaged in a high-stakes drug bust. Priya (Manju Warrier), on the other hand, steps up in the political arena, asserting herself as a leader, only to be strategically arrested, gaining public sympathy. The climax unravels the long-standing mystery surrounding Zayed Masood and his deep connection with Baba Bajrangi. The film expertly weaves political manoeuvring with high-octane action but struggles to find a balance between its multiple genres.

Performances that elevate the film

Mohanlal delivers a strong performance, but the film at times feels like a tribute to his stardom rather than an exploration of his acting prowess. Prithviraj, seemingly a fanboy of the superstar, could have delved deeper into Mohanlal’s range as an actor.

Tovino Thomas’s character, Jathin, is the most complex, yet his motivations remain unclear, creating inconsistencies in his arc. Manju Warrier shines as Priyadarshini, particularly in her transition to a political leader. Prithviraj as Zayed Masood, though pivotal to the story, is reduced to merely executing the orders of Mohanlal’s character, leaving little room for depth in his role.

A spectacle that lacks a clear identity

What truly sets ‘L2: Empuraan’ apart is its sheer scale. The film spans locations from Kerala to Senegal and the UK, with an evident effort to make each setting visually authentic.

However, it suffers from an identity crisis—oscillating between political thriller, action drama, and espionage without fully committing to any. The multiple narrative threads often run parallel without significant cohesion.

The overseas track of Mohanlal’s Khureshi Ab’raam, while visually striking, has minimal impact on the core plot and could have been omitted without affecting the overall story. Despite its flaws, ‘L2: Empuraan’ remains an engaging spectacle, buoyed by its star-studded cast and grand production. A more focused and grounded approach from Prithviraj could have elevated it to a cinematic masterpiece.

Also Read: L2: Empuraan twitter review: Fans praise Mohanlal’s film, call it International-level cinema

Star Cast: Mohanlal, Prithviraj Sukumaran, Manju Warrier, Tovino Thomas, Andrea Tivadar, Jerome Flynn, Indrajith Sukumaran, Eriq Ebouaney, and Suraj Venjaramoodu.

Director: Prithviraj Sukumaran

Rating: 3.5/5 Stars