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 

Kadhalil Sodhappuvadhu Yeppadi movie review

The much acclaimed recent super hit. Finally, got the chance to see it. The movie is a light hearted college fare that is enjoyable most of the time. It's basically about how a pair fall in love, fall apart and then fall back in place again in the end.

The way Arun and Parvathi fall in love is pretty cute particularly the episode around missing one another through sms. They start falling apart gradually due to no particular reason. As Arun himself says, he behaved like a guy and she behaved like a girl. That's what happens every time they have a lengthy discussion.

Amala Paul's hairstyle is the clincher. It adds to her cutesy value. Siddharth manages to look boyish and he can pass off as a college kid even now in his early 30s. But, Siddharth's constant PTCs get tiresome beyond a point. The same voice modulation and the same frustrated gibberish about love failure.

Thaman's songs and BG score are in sync with the mood and feel of the movie. They are youthful and peppy. The 'Thavarugal Unargirom' song in the climax is well placed.

Parvathi's parents' problems in their marriage and subsequent patch-up is a prominent subplot in the movie. Suresh as Parvathi's dad has an atrocious wig in place. But, a good show by him. His wife in the movie looks ravishing. Arun's parents are very light-hearted and always trump for their son. The small references to FB are enjoyable. Another subplot is the love between Cathy and John and how Cathy's ex-boyfriend tries to play spoilsport between them. The 2 SS Music VJs Pooja and Shyam play these parts. The hunky Shyam has a long way to go in the acting stakes

Arun's 2 friends are a riot. While one keeps getting into trouble with some nonsense, the other makes us laugh with his innocent and fidgety moves with one of the junior girls in college.

On the whole, it is definitely a new experience.

VERDICT: Love, the most common parameter in our movies continues to entertain us through another take. 

Vettai movie review

The plot is set in Tuticorin and we have 2 brothers who are diametrically opposite to each other. While the elder one Thirumurthy is a timid man who fears everything, the younger one, Gurumurthy is a fearless bloke who doesn't mind getting into a hustle now and then.

Thiru incidentally gets into the police force after his father's death and he is helped by his brother while dealing with the rogues and rowdy elements in town, in the form of Mari and Annachi. The brothers get hitched to a pair of sisters. The elder pair's is an arranged marriage while the younger pair fall in love and get married later.

Thiru gains the respect of his colleagues and family due to his brother's timely 'action' interventions. The villains are baying for his blood and they eventually find out that Thiru is actually a timid guy and they bash him to pulp. Then with his younger brother's encouragement, Thiru turns a new leaf. It is like a rebirth and he goes around town wrecking havoc on the villains in his new 'action' avatar.

After a cliched climax where the brothers' wives are also dragged in, the villains are hunted and the 'vettai' is complete.

Hits

• The movie moves lightheartedly for the majority of the first half and it is enjoyable till then. Maddy and Arya bond well with their comic timing and their contrasts in character. In the second half when Arya and Amala play around with the NRI groom, it is entertaining too, thanks to the NRI guy's artificial accent and antics. 
• Amala Paul is really fresh and has a long career ahead. She carries off any costume gracefully and emotes well too. 
• Sameera goes overboard at times but is decent as the talkative and bold elder sister.
• The camera work by Nirav Shah makes the film look glossy. 
• The scene where Ajith's Mankatha intro scene comes on screen, sends the crowd into frenzy. The mini cameo by Jiiva on screen in the movie Ko is another mini-highlight. 

Misses

• The villains are cliched and are a caricature with their loud voices, stale punch dialogs, long hair, unkempt beard etc etc. For how long will this continue? 
• Whenever the movie becomes serious and action oriented, the audience mocks. Such is the formulaic treatment. The climax in particular is a major drag and is totally stale. The scene where Maddy gets up from the wheel chair seeing his brother getting hit, is hilarious and silly. Unintentionally funny scenes galore. 
• Arya and Maddy hardly look convincing in action and Maddy sucks during his dance in the opening number. 
• The BGM by Yuvan is a major letdown. 

Comments

• Average songs which have been placed just for sake to fill time. Kattipudi is the pick of the lot. 

VERDICT

The light hearted scenes make the movie watchable while there are lot of unintentionally funny scenes as well. Half baked hunt. 

Engeyum Kadhal (2011)

Prabhudeva's attempt at making a candyfloss romantic movie on the lines of Yash Raj Films' numerous such movies.

Kamal is a prolific businessman who comes to Paris every year for a month just to unwind and have a nice romantic time with the ladies. He doesn't believe in commitment and love. Kayavizhi is a Tamil girl who lives in Paris with her detective father. She falls for the charming Kamal, at first sight. She slowly draws Kamal towards her. In the end, Kamal also reciprocates and feels the same about Kayal. The lovers join as expected

Hits

• The look and feel of the film is so classy and glossy thanks to Paris, the costumes and the attractive lead pair. Nirav Shah has had a nice time capturing all the beauty around
• Hansika Motwani redefines bubbly, cute, charming, innocent, plump and pretty. Her dubbing voice is also very apt. She is expressive too. 
• Jayam Ravi, the handsome dude is best suited for such lover boy roles. 
• Harris Jeyaraj is the heart and soul of the film. Super duper hit songs colorfully picturized by Prabhudeva
• Crisp and not dragging for the most part

Comments

• Some hard to laugh moments provided by Raju Sundaram. Could have been avoided

VERDICT

Above average romantic musical. Definitely watchable 

Deiva Thirumagal (2011)

The Plot
A remake of the Sean Penn starrer "I am Sam". Vikram and baby Sarah reprise the 2 memorable lead roles of the mentally retarded man with the mental faculties of a 5 yr old and his 5 yr old cute daughter. If in the original, it is the Govt. that is against the father staying with his daughter, here it is the father-in-law's family that is against the father staying with his daughter.

Here also, a lawyer Anuradha takes up the case of the father Krishna, as he aims to reunite with his daughter Nila. Nila's mother dies during her birth and her sister Shweta comes to know about Nila and doesn't want to give her up. A senior lawyer Bashyam is on Shweta's side and is against Krishna's bid to get his daughter.

Krishna has his set of childish friends and he is a very good man at heart. He works at a chocolate factory and there are some comedy portions here, involving Krishna and 2 other workers. Anuradha also has her 2 sidekicks who provide some funny moments as they try to get a case desperately.

In the end, what happens to the father and his daughter and whether they reunite or not is the question.

                                                                     
Hits

• Dr.Vikram scales peaks yet again. As the naive, pure and childish Krishna he is A rate. But, heavily inspired by Sean Penn's act
• Baby Sarah is angelic and godly. Lovely emoting too. The father daughter bonding is the biggest highlight of the movie. Their pranks with their hands, their attempts at story telling etc. etc. are so touching and innocent
• G.V. Prakash is the biggest highlight of the first half as his mesmerizing BGM and songs take up the entire first half. This is his best work till date, by a mile. Maestro like. 
• Anushka looks elegant and acts well too. Amala Paul looks fresh but, a very minuscule part. 
• Santhanam looks very smart and provides some funny moments as he attempts to win the case for Krishna by manipulating the witnesses
• The childish friends of Krishna are also a take-off from "I am Sam". Good genuine fun nevertheless. 
• Other characters like Ragi and the factory owner also make a mark with their pure intentions. 
• Director Vijay's cute touches at showing Krishna's law abiding and helpful nature

Misses

• Some comedy scenes in the first half are irritating
• Vizhigalil Oru Vanavil song looks great and smashing on screen thanks to Nirav Shah, the editing and the visual effects. But, very poor placement.
• In the end, Anushka's efforts and character lose their weight. 
• Nasser appears brooding in the entire film. Quite an irritating and lengthy character portrayal. 

VERDICT

In-spite of the misses and the obvious inspiration, the movie makes a mark for its feel good nature 

Dhoom (2004)

Whats it about:
The film traces how Jai, a super cop nabs a biker gang which specializes in hi-tech robberies and heists. The biker gang is lead by Kabir. Jai takes the help of Ali, a local racer to eliminate the biking robbers after a few failed attempts
      Side by side, we are also shown the romance between Jai and his wife Sweety in a very sexy manner, Ali's misfortune at getting his lady love, Ali's racing exploits and also some hardcore masala elements in the name of sexy songs.

                                                                          

Hits

• Terrific stunt sequences in bikes, boats and what not. Thrilling stuff helped in no small measure by Nirav Shah
• Foot tapping songs and BGM by Pritam and co. 
• Style all the way, be it Abhishek or John or a bikini clad Esha or the super sexy Rimi Sen or the super bikes
• A celebration of Indian masala

Misses

• Logic has been ignored. The genre is such, But, some stunts are definitely gravity defying, beautifully shot nevertheless. 

VERDICT

Thrilling time-pass. Fun filled action extravaganza.