Captain Miller

It's one of those movies. The type of ones Dhanush has a tendency to take on. And you can't fault him for it... It has worked well for him in the past, and it continues to work well today, except maybe with a few hiccups here and there. Captain Miller is a little more on the blockbuster side of it, and it sees Dhanush playing the eponymous character; a guilt ridden soldier turned bandit/ revolutionary during the British occupation of India.

Themes of caste, patriotism, rights, exploitation and revolution are pretty heavy handed in this movie, and while that can allow the script to get a little carried away into comical territories at times, it still manages to keep things consistently loud, raw and pacy. It's not a ground-breaking exploration of these issues, but it's nonetheless entertaining. It's technically sound and visually impressive too. The actors all did their part in bringing this movie to life, and all of that contributes towards the success of this movie.

Also, shoutout to the random stranger seated behind me in the cinema hall, who was so invested in the film that he screamed "saavuda sakkiliyane" when Dhanush commits his first act of revenge against his British captain.

With every film of his, Arun Matheswaran comes across as a filmmaker who wants to stamp his name among the auteurs in the action genre. Captain Miller gives him the budget and a star in Dhanush to propel his period action-drama, with the writer-director learning from the criticism of his previous outings - the lack of a resonating emotional core. He course-corrects that to a large extent in this film, though there are stretches of drama where the proceedings are perfunctory, and their sole intention remain building to a major action block. The three act structure follows the realize-revolt-rampage pattern which our audiences are quite familiar with, and your satisfaction levels are bound to vary depending on how you take to it.

Dhanush excels in both the set-pieces & dramatic segments, and he's basically the one who holds the fort even when it shows signs of crumbling. His screen presence is used to scorching effect in those mass elevation moments, and he delivers the goods with aplomb. Aiding him are solid supporting acts from Priyanka Arul Mohan, Elango Kumaravel, and Nivedhithaa Sathish. The extended cameos from Shivanna and Sundeep are neatly incorporated, with the trio's action-packed crescendo arriving in the form of an Avengers Assemble! Kind of shot. GV Prakash Kumar has done fantastic work on the musical side of things, with both the songs and the score elevating the visuals.

Siddhartha Nuni is one of the most promising cinematographers of the times, and I've begun to take a liking for his fiery night shots. Whether the frames pan wide or focus on the protagonists' emoting faces, they're compelling - the only exception being the frantic, handheld shots. The cast mostly delivers, including the foreign actors, though I'm tired of seeing Alexx O'Nell in almost every period drama there is. We need to bring in more prominent names.. for instance, like how Karthik Subbaraj was able to add James Cosmo in Jagame Thandhiram. Dhanush is now fairly well-known internationally, isn't it?

Killer Killer Captain Miller,

A true Masterpiece.

The movie starts slowly and takes quickly a jet-speed continuation.

All the characters Arc are well made, the technicians and engineers have put massive hard work on this movie.

Songs are incredible moreover the background score is terrific, Gv the master.

All the actors especially Dhanush literally lived as the character. They acting are too noch.

The screen play and dialogues were amazing.

There are many twits in the movie and actions sequences are well made and looks lively.

Thank you Arun for this gem and I'm looking forward for the second part. 💥✨🏆

The Plot and character development exhibit a meticulous attention to detail but the screenplay leaves room for improvement.

Dhanush delivers a stellar performance, seamlessly navigating through various phases of his character's journey.

Nivedhitha and Kaali Venkat impeccably portray their respective roles, adding depth to the film.

The British characters are skillfully brought to life by the cast, contributing effectively to the overall storyline.

Shiv Raj Kumar Sandeep Kishan and Aditi Balan, despite limited screen time, deliver outstanding performances.

However, Priyanka Mohan, though given a substantial role, falls short in terms of acting prowess. Her appearance is appealing, yet her efforts to portray the character are evident.

The musical score and editing contribute to the film's overall cohesion.

Cinematography shines in certain aspects such as camera angles and pivotal moments, but the lighting pattern and color grading may not resonate with every viewer.

The meticulous attention to sets, props, costumes, and makeup enhances the overall visual appeal.

Arun Matheshwaran's direction stands out, showcasing a keen eye for storytelling.

Set on a backdrop of 40's Captain Miller tries to dig deep on the dillema of an ethnic community about whom to choose , the cruel and autocratic dynasty or british empire. Exploited by both « Captain Miller » the dacoit is born. Dhanush matches the intensity required as he uses his whole body to bring the anger , guilt . The screenplay and specially the action sequences are long and dull resulting the loose grip over the story.

One of my grievances with the south movies is they can't portray grey . The characters are straight evil or god . Very lazily written motives makes you question their intentions . Would have been a great watch had it not been so. Dhanush is the shining light of this average creation.