L2 Empuraan Review: Mohanlal, Prithviraj Shine In This Action-Packed Entertainer, But the Story Lacks Depth

L2 Empuraan review: Mohanlal and Prithviraj Sukumaran starrer is undoubtedly entertaining and worth watching, but it lacks the surprise factor that Malayalam cinema has recently been known for.

L2 Empuraan review: Before 'Empuraan' hits the screen, audiences are treated to the trailer of 'Sikandar', starring Salman Khan. While it looked decent on a phone screen, its big-screen impact was underwhelming, with Salman appearing fatigued. However, that contrast only made the experience of watching Empuraan feel even better. Malayalam cinema has been delivering remarkable content lately, with one stellar film after another making waves on OTT. The announcement of Empuraan—a big-budget, pan-India release featuring Malayalam superstar Mohanlal—naturally raised expectations. The film is undoubtedly entertaining and worth watching, but it lacks the surprise factor that Malayalam cinema has recently been known for. Ironically, while Bollywood is often urged to learn from Malayalam films, this film makes one feel that Malayalam cinema might have borrowed a thing or two from Bollywood. 

Empuraan plot

'L2 Empuraan' is the sequel to 'Lucifer'. The story picks up after the demise of an honest chief minister, whose corrupt son-in-law—exploiting his late father-in-law’s name for personal gains—has also been eliminated. Now, his son has risen to power, only to betray his party and align with a corrupt political force. With Kerala in turmoil, the question arises—who will save the state? 

The answer is obvious: Lucifer. But where has he been? He vanished after the first film and has been missing for five years. Meanwhile, Lucifer is entangled in his own battle against drug cartels. Despite this, he must return to protect Kerala—after all, this massive production wouldn’t exist without his grand comeback. 

How is Empuraan

Empuraan is a film packed with style, swag, action, and emotion. It delivers on multiple fronts, but where it falters is its story. While the narrative isn’t bad, Malayalam cinema has raised the bar so high that expectations are naturally elevated. 

Visually, the film is stunning. The cinematography is top-notch, and the production values are impressive. However, the second half leans towards the formulaic structure of regular South Indian action films, where the hero’s ultimate goal is to defeat the villain. This is where the film slightly loses its edge. That said, it doesn’t fall flat—Empuraan is absolutely worth watching, but perhaps not with sky-high expectations. 

Performances 

Mohanlal dominates the screen with his commanding presence, delivering each scene with sheer intensity. His dialogue delivery sends chills down the spine. Prithviraj Sukumaran, a brilliant actor in his own right, also impresses, with his character getting more depth in this sequel. 

Manju Warrier shines despite being surrounded by a predominantly male cast. She holds her own and makes a significant impact. Tovino Thomas is effective but has a reduced role this time. Abhimanyu Singh plays a menacing antagonist and fits the part well. 

Direction 

Prithviraj Sukumaran, known for his prowess both in front of and behind the camera, crafts Empuraan on an extravagant scale—and it shows. However, a bit more refinement in the story could have elevated it from a good film to a great one. The runtime feels slightly long, and the second half could have used more twists to keep the intrigue alive. 

Final verdict 

Empuraan is a solid one-time watch. If you enjoy larger-than-life South Indian action dramas, this film won’t disappoint. Just don’t go in expecting a groundbreaking experience, and you’ll have a great time.