Gangs of Wasseypur - Part 1 (2012)

Kashyap’s saga is praised as a dark, funny, and electric masterpiece that portrays 20th-century Indian history through Bollywood’s reference-heavy lens, with standout praise for its outrageous set pieces, character myth-making, and the way it blurs fantasy and reality in cycles of revenge.

The critic calls it one of the most ambitious and best gangster films ever made, praising its epic scope across generations and the futility of revenge. The performances, especially by Richa Chadda and Nawazuddin Siddiqui, are highlighted as magnificent.

The film is hailed as a brilliant collage of genres, pulverizing and poetic in its depiction of violence, and the magnum opus of the director. Its relentless pacing and epic scope across generations and Indian history are singled out for praise.

There is never a dull moment in this over-five-hour Indian gangland epic oozing visual style, laced with tight and often blackly comic dialogue, bolstered by strong performances and a driving neo-Bollywood soundtrack. It is a Tarantino-tinged Bihari take on The Godfather with strong crossover potential.

The critic sees it as a possible turning point in Hindi cinema for its stylish, pacy and naturalistic portrayal of gangster life in an Indian mining town. It praises the compelling characters, sharp dialogue, fantastic soundtrack without song-and-dance routines, and raw depiction of lawlessness, political corruption and family intrigues.

The sprawling story of revenge among criminal clans is called epic in every sense, deftly managing multiple story lines over decades. Performances are uniformly excellent despite unlikable characters.

The critic calls it an extraordinary ride through Bollywood’s over-the-top filmmaking with cool command of cinematically referenced violence, ironic characters, and breathless pace that bodes well for crossover audiences. Its length makes wide release difficult outside cult venues.

The critic hails Anurag Kashyap as a world-class talent for this bullet-strafed two-part crime epic that cements his status with muscular genre filmmaking. It singles out the colourful characters, robustly earthy humour, political context, eclectic music integrated into the story, and explosively entertaining saga spanning decades.

This speedy, intelligent crime drama traces several criminal families in Wasseypur from the 1940s to the 1990s. Kashyap is matter-of-fact about violence and gun-play but equally focused on family relationships and the social conditions that breed gangsters.

The review highlights how the film reinvents the Bollywood gangster picture with pop panache and energetic storytelling across its epic scope.

The film is described as a frequently spectacular achievement with gliding camera moves, brutal action, and dizzying revenge plotting. It lacks the poetry and character interest of The Godfather but offers slickly stylized gunplay.

The critic calls the film a true powerhouse and an epic Indian crime saga of blood feuds and rival clans. They single out its energetic storytelling, charismatic antiheroes, and visceral set pieces such as the slo-mo ambush finale to Part 1.

Kashyap's sprawling gangster saga is a giddy, hyperviolent homage to The Godfather with well-etched characters and an inventive score capturing small-town northern India. Fatigue sets in during the second part from repetitive revenge cycles, but overall pace and drive make it compelling.

The critic praises the film's balance of action, humour and social commentary in this epic tale of family rivalries and revenge spanning decades. She singles out the beautifully observed character interactions and subtle humour for praise, while noting its brutal violence and potential cult appeal.