Jailer

Jailer (2023) : Brief Review -

Nelson's narrow vision saved by Blockbuster heroism of Rajinikanth, Mohanlal and Shiva Rajakumar. Nelson Dilip Kumar has to be one of the luckiest directors in Tamil cinema who is surviving and still getting films after back-to-back mediocrities. "Kolamaavu Kokila" (2018) hardly had any brain in its black comedy; "Doctor" (2021) couldn't find an antidote for his own mediocre vision; "Beast" (2022) was a beast-size torture; and now he brought another mediocre film, "Jailer". It could have been a much better film if you look at the first half. The film falls in the second half and somehow stands on its feet with the charismatic heroism of Rajinikanth and blockbuster cameos by Mohanlal and Shiva Raja Kumar, who help create a crossover of Tamil, Malayalam, and Kannada cinema in a massy action drama. Jailer is about a retired police officer whose son is kidnapped by a gangster. The father sets out to settle things down with the gangster, who will listen to no one but him after knowing who he is. The idea is very predictable, but there is a surprise in the pre-climax before you head towards a so-so climax. Rajinikanth's "Tiger ka Hukum" is commendable as he successfully carries along all his heroic stuff such as walk, talk, smash, show swag, and at last the "cigar." Mohanlal and Shiva's cameos have whistle-worthy moments, which are uplifted by the background score and a small rap in between. Ramya Krishnan, Vasanth Ravi, and Mirnaa Menon are decent in small roles. Jailer is dragged into the second half with Tamannaah's angle, robbery, and family drama stuff. Seriously, this is no way to bring your own film down after a good-to-go first half. Why does Nelson always have to look at things with his narrow-minded vision? More than him, we and our audiences need to find the answer soon. Overall, an okay watch after promising a better future.

RATING - 5/10*

By - #samthebestest.

Thia film was mediocre at best with the director confused on the tone of the movie. The plot of the movie was all over the place. First half was decent and it felt like a movie for the masses, and breadcrumbed enough for a good showdown. The second half was a major letdown, with the whole movie turning into a soap opera heist film with violence and comedy used in a bad taste. The whole 'son plotline' was unnecessary for the plot for a movie aimed for the masses. It added absolutely no value to the whole movie. Mohanlal, in his few scenes brought his screen presence and star power so did Shivanna. Vinayakan stole the whole show for me, brilliant and raw performance. He explored his role to an extreme, might I dare, like Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight! I wouldn't even be surprised if he wins a National award for this role. Rajini's star power is definitely felt, and that will the main contributor for the movie's financial success(along with the underdog BTS comeback aspect with the director Nelson and the southern industry's big star casting inclusions) Most of all there is no takeaways or a good message from the whole movie.

The movie starts with a rather calm Rajnikanth without much fanfare and intro songs. Anirudh is the kingpin for this movement with elevations and silence at right place. However, the movie may not give a good cinematic experience with majority of the characters focused on close centre of the screen for it to evoke so called 'Dark comedy'.

The director seems to have lost plot in the later half, and relied on a comedy track which added no value to the story. Some scenes were elevated which did not require such moments. It looks the Director resorted to fan service in the later part struggling to keep them entertained!!

Everybody gangsta until Rajinikanth graciously walks in through a dense fog holding a freaking machete in his hands; even at the age of 72, this man seems to carry swagger like no one else.

When it solely comes to asserting sheer dominance on screen, very few come close, let alone matching up to him! I absolutely adored him here.

Now, as far as the movie is concerned, I have mixed feelings, mainly because the two halves seemed like two different films merged into one.

The first half is remarkable; I loved how it built up slowly but gradually picked up the pace and offered an astounding interval block. However, the second half fails to sustain the momentum and struggles to keep the intensity up; as a result, most of the film's second half comes across as sloppy and cluttered.

I did cherish the climactic portion, though. The pure display of unadulterated charm and swagger from all three veterans was a sight to behold!

Like wine as they say, Rajini keeps getting better with age. At this age , he is pulling crowds of all ages and making them whistle inside theatre. That proves what a mass hero he is . Coming to the movie, it has elements of an action packed thriller. There is violence so some families won't be comfortable watching. You can expect some twists in the movie . All the casts have done their roles pretty well in the movie . The villain, Vinayakan has come up with a good performance. The movie is more of a head to head face off between hero and villain . I feel this is the best movie of Rajini after 2.0 .