I really was fortunate to find Tiger 24, with no publicity or release on a major platform like Netflix or HBO it is hard to find. I found it only by luck as a friend of mine pointed it out, raved about it and pushed me to watch it. I am very glad that I was one of the few fortunate enough to see this well crafted and enthralling film that presents a lot of questions not just on Tigers in the wild but also our humanity. The film opens new complexities on conservation not just for the diverse creatures and ecosystems that we share this earth with but also ourselves. Initially I thought this film would be standard nature doc, a film documenting the life of a few tigers in the wild of India and the struggles that these creatures have in our modern world but this film is much more that that. This film is a murder mystery, a legal thriller and a historical review.
First a technical review of the film.
Cinematography: The cinematography is unparalleled, every shot in this film is well crafted and could stand out on its own. The effect of this is that it really draws you in and keeps you engaged. The use of warm browns is even and well incorporated throughout. There are multiple shots that are just breathtaking. I wish I could have seen this film in the theatres as it would have been incredible to see some of these shots on a big screen. I would also highlight to watch this film if you are watching it digitally not through a web browser as it will be capped at 480p due to streaming capping. Make sure you see this film in at least 1080p.
Sound: The sound is crisp and clear throughout even during interviews and discussions that are far from the camera. A lot of work was done to keep sound levels consistent and clear throughout. If you have Dolby 5.1 you are in for a treat, the jungle will come alive.
Editing: The editing in this film is tight, each scene is given just the right amount of space to convey the idea presented while keeping the audience interested.
Music: Top tier soundtrack, very modern and a great mix of intense vibrational sections, gentle piano melodies and harmonious orchestral pieces that feed each moment of the film beautifully.
Now for the story itself, Tiger 24 as stated above is not a nature documentary and I think the film maker originally intended it to be that but it turns into so much more. There is a very nice historical section that reviews the history of Tiger conservation in India which really enlightened me on the subject. The history of Tiger conservation in India could be a whole separate film but Tiger 24 is able to give the highlights very well. The interviews are very interesting, its really amazing how the filmmaker was able to transition from English speaking, to Hindi speaking with subtitles and back again so smoothly. The interview with Valmik Thapar is exceptional, when I first saw the trailer he came across as a rough egotistical alarmist but his interview really opened my eyes to a realistic standpoint for the issue of Tiger conservation and he became one of my favorite characters in the film. The whole movie evolves beautifully from initial fascination of tigers through investigation of key events and poignant conclusion. I highly recommend Tiger 24, if you give it 5 mins I guarantee it will pull you in and you won't regret it.
