Dinosaurs Movie Review: Unique narrative and staging make this gangster drama a noteworthy addition to the genre

Dinosaurs Movie Synopsis: An ambitious youngster, who wants to stay away from violence, gets entangled in a conflict. Will he be able to solve things in his own way?

Dinosaurs Movie Review: In the saturated realm of gangster dramas set in North Chennai, a few manage to distinguish themselves through their treatment and compelling conflicts. Dinosaurs aka DieNoSirs emerges as one such film, offering an engaging and distinctive experience. While not without its flaws and occasional mood inconsistencies, the film’s ambitious approach and execution make it a noteworthy addition to the genre.

A dreaded gangster’s henchman, Durai (Maara Jothi), who is on the verge of starting a new life, is forced to surrender for a crime that he committed years ago. However, Dhana (Rishi Rithvik), one of his close friends, sacrifices his own life by deciding to go behind bars for him. Dhana’s brother, Mannu (Udhay Karthik), an ambitious yet carefree guy who wants to stay away from this violence, gets entangled in the lives of gangsters as Durai, whom his brother wanted to protect, dies.

Will Mannu manage to avenge Durai’s death and find the answers to his family’s past?

While DieNoSirs is not a path-breaking gangster flick that keeps its viewers on the edge-of-their seats throughout, it has some interesting and well-staged moments that gradually take us into the life of Mannu, its protagonist. For the first 20 minutes, we get the feeling of watching a badly written drama with dialogue that really doesn’t fit into the world that the filmmaker is trying to build. However, when the conflict between the two rival gangs gets intense and Durai becomes a scapegoat of sorts, the screenplay and the writing progress to another level. The intermission, too, sets up the perfect mood for a gangster flick and makes us wait for what’s coming next.

While DieNoSirs excels in many aspects, it is not without its shortcomings. The film experiences occasional mood inconsistencies, oscillating between intense action sequences and comedy, disrupting the overall flow. Additionally, certain subplots feel underdeveloped and unnecessary. The romance between Udhay and Sai Priya Devi could have been written in a more sensible way. On the other hand, the idea of the filmmaker avoiding violence in the second half, just like the protagonist, is an interesting attempt.

Also, the soundtrack complements the storytelling, heightening pivotal moments with impact. The film’s engaging narrative and laudable craftsmanship set it apart from run-of-the-mill offerings. Udhay Karthik and Maaran Jothi’s performances help elevate certain moments, especially in the first half.

Overall, DieNoSirs delivers an ambitious and engaging gangster-drama experience, offering both highs and lows along the way. Thanks to the skillful direction, the film showcases the potential for innovation within familiar genres.