Anupama Chopra reviews "Game Changer," Shankar's first Telugu language film starring Ram Charan and Kiara Advani. Chopra highlights Shankar's signature maximalist storytelling, which she finds exaggerated and often ridiculous in this 2 hour 45 minute film.
The review notes Shankar's typical elements: a social message against corruption, ostentatious musical set pieces, and grand spectacles. However, Anupama criticizes the film for lacking a coherent narrative until about 15 minutes before the interval.
Anupama points out some outlandish elements, including two characters who can only look sideways, which she finds unintentionally comical. She criticizes Kiara Advani's role as being reduced to a pretty prop with questionable dialogue.
Ram Charan's performance as both father and son is noted, but Anupama feels it gets lost in the film's excessive style. She praises SJ Surya's performance as the antagonist, finding his approach entertaining amidst the film's seriousness.
The review criticizes the dizzying camera work, overenthusiastic soundtrack, and forgettable song visualizations despite their reported high cost. Anupama concludes that while "Game Changer" is many things, it doesn't live up to its title in terms of being a game changer in cinema.
