“Ramayana: Rise of a Legend” review: A colorful 3D spectacle worth seeing on the big screen

“Ramayana: Rise of a Legend” is a visually gorgeous film, and if you’re going to see it in theaters, I strongly recommend choosing a 3D screening. The vivid colors, enormous battle sequences and sweeping landscapes make this three-hour Indian epic a treat for the eyes.

A stunning visual experience, especially in 3D

One of the most impressive things about “Ramayana: Rise of a Legend” is its use of color. At a time when moviegoers frequently complain about films looking too dark or relying on a limited color palette, this one offers something different.

Each kingdom and settlement has a distinctive appearance, with richly colored environments that help establish the different locations.

The 3D presentation adds considerably to the experience. During several action sequences, particularly those involving characters running and jumping through forests, I felt as though I was moving alongside them.

At times, the sensation was almost like riding a flying theater attraction at a theme park. The combination of movement, depth and enormous landscapes makes this a film worth experiencing on a large screen.

A surprisingly balanced three-hour adventure

Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, the film adapts the ancient Hindu epic of the Ramayana, following Rama (Ranbir Kapoor) and his conflict with Ravana (Yash).

The action begins almost immediately before slowing down to develop the characters and their relationships. Rama’s journey includes training, romance and personal challenges, while Ravana’s pursuit of power establishes the larger conflict.

There’s a good balance between the romantic storyline, dramatic moments and spectacular action sequences.

Some scenes linger longer than expected, but just when I thought the pacing might become tedious, something changed. Despite the lengthy runtime, I never found myself bored.

The mythology and relationships between the different kingdoms can be challenging to follow, especially for newcomers. My advice is to go with it. Even when I couldn’t keep track of every allegiance, the larger conflict between good and evil remained engaging.

Our screening was presented in its original language with English subtitles. Most were easy to follow, although two or three particularly lengthy lines disappeared before I could finish reading them. You do need to read quickly at times.

Despite the scale of the battles, I also didn’t find the violence excessively bloody or graphic.

“Ramayana: Rise of a Legend” ending

Be prepared for an unfinished story. “Ramayana: Rise of a Legend” is the first installment of a planned two-part adaptation, so don’t expect a complete resolution after spending more than three hours in the theater.

There is a brief, plot-related visual moment during the credits. I did not remain through the entire credits, so I can’t personally confirm whether another scene follows. The MPA rating is PG-13 for sequences of strong violence, action and some bloody images.

The runtime is 3 hours, 15 minutes (195 minutes) and there is no intermission. The second installment is scheduled for Diwali 2028.

Final thoughts: “Ramayana: Rise of a Legend” is an ambitious, colorful adventure with impressive action and surprisingly enjoyable pacing. The mythology may take some getting used to, but the spectacular visuals alone make it worth considering. If you have the opportunity, see it in 3D.