Pokkiri (2007)

The remake of the blockbuster Telugu movie of the same name. This movie did the same roaring business in Tamil as well and was a major break for Vijay.

It is about an undercover cop who singlehandedly wipes out goons from the face of the city. He enters the goons' own den, moves among them, becomes a dreaded goon himself and shows his real face towards the end much to the shock of everyone concerned.

The movie is a perfect masala entertainer with all the elements that go into making a perfect combination. Amazing over-the-top stunt choreography, peppy foot-tapping songs, a ravishing and youthful Asin, an extremely versatile Prakash Raj, a silly but laugh-worthy comedy track by Vadivelu, an earnest Napoleon and last but not the least an extremely agile and fit Vijay. He rocks in the fights and makes them believable with his rage and aggression. His police makeover was a big joke due to his unkempt looks and slim frame. But, he is THE single biggest trump card of the movie.

The love scenes between the lead pair are another highlight of the movie. Nirav Shah's camerawork rocks in the stunts. The pre-interval stunt, the stunt in the train, the stunt in the dark room with blinking lights and the climax fight are all amazing thanks to Nirav and stunt master FEFSI Vijayan

VERDICT: Watchable anytime for some super-fast action entertainment. A commercial milestone in Tamil cinema 

Mappillai (2011)

Whats it about
This is the remake of a Rajinikanth film of the same name that released 21 yrs back. But, the execution is very much old fashioned. Just a new cast but, the same old cliches galore.
      A dumb bombshell falls for a loafer like youngster who acts like a very pious and good hearted man. But he actually was a terror and sort of a rowdy figure in his home town. His parents had sent him to Chennai to lead a reformed life. The dumb heroine's mother is a very proud multi millionaire who looks down upon everyone else and thinks that she is the best in the world. She wants a meek son in law. Our hero marries the heroine due to his initial meek nature and settles in the girl's house itself as a jobless husband.
      He then plans to teach his boasting mother-in-law a lesson through his brain and brawn. He starts revealing his true colors. He marries off his sister to his brother-in-law through some funny schemings and finally saves his mother-in-law and wife from the bad guys too. 'MAPPILLAI' proves his worth to his 'athai' in the end after some silly comedy.
      Amidst all this we have the comedian and his side kicks, the heroine's side kicks, the hero's good natured parents, some villains etc etc. YAAAAWN!!!

                                                                    

Hits

• Vivek's act as JP is really laughable. But, He entertains and annoys in equal measure as Chinna, the Namitha fan. Funny accent indeed for both the characters. 
• Dhanush with his usual style satisfies his fans. 
• The "Ennoda Raasi Nalla Raasi" remix offers some solace amidst the bore

Misses

• Pathetic acting from both Manisha Koirala and Hansika Motwani. Just some chubby cherubic looks. Nothing else
• Terrible boredom during some of the comedy scenes. 
• Dhanush as a terrifying rowdy like figure, is definitely unbelievable. 

VERDICT

When Tamil cinema is looking to cross boundaries with some new subjects and innovative screenplays, comes this film that is a throwback to at-least a few decades back. Nothing new in this film. Why do big shots of the industry continue to associate themselves with such plain mediocre subjects?. After 'Endhiran' and 'Aadukalam', Sun Pictures have gone back to their 'Sura', 'Thee' days ... AVOIDABLE FARE. DESERVES TO FLOP BIG TIME ...