Vettaiyan

I had no expectations on this one, I badly wanted to like this movie, and the movie ended up as a satisfactory watch to me.

The 1st half is relatively better, stuck to crime thriller genre, and set good stage for 2nd half.

However, the 2nd half meandered between several subplots, had few flaws, and never took off to the next level.

The film could use a stronger antagonist in terms of writing and character development. He seemed like any other corporate criminal.

It is a challenge to blend realism & Rajni but the director is decently successful in doing it. The movie could have been a bit better but it is not bad either. Ani did justice to the film wherever he can, especially, for the intro scene.

Vettaiyan unfolds in two gripping parts, combining high-octane police encounters with a poignant examination of justice. The first half immerses viewers in thrilling action, showcasing relentless chase sequences and dramatic shootouts. However, the narrative shifts post-intermission, focusing on the legal intricacies of seeking justice after an untimely death. This transition highlights the stark contrast between the adrenaline of the chase and the sobering reality of the legal system. The film's pacing is swift, though it occasionally feels like a slow motion advert for photochromic glasses, overall it's an engaging blend of action and drama.

"Vettaiyan" is a thrilling action drama that delivers on its promise of Rajinikanth's signature style and mass appeal. The film's engaging story, coupled with Thalaivar's powerful screen presence and goosebump-inducing moments, makes for a captivating first half.

Rajinikanth's performance as the titular character is a major highlight, showcasing his charisma and commanding presence. The action sequences are well-choreographed and visually impressive, providing ample moments of excitement for fans.

However, the film falters in its second half, with a screenplay that loses momentum and becomes predictable. While the initial intrigue and suspense are maintained for a while, the narrative struggles to sustain its grip, leading to a somewhat underwhelming climax.

Despite its flaws, "Vettaiyan" remains an entertaining watch for Rajinikanth fans and those seeking an action-packed drama. The film's strong performances, particularly from Rajinikanth, and its engaging first half make it worth watching. However, be prepared for a second half that doesn't quite live up to the initial promise.

I enjoyed this movie overall. The story conveys a strong message, and the character balance is thoughtfully handled. Rajinikanth and Amitabh Bachchan share excellent chemistry, and Fahadh Faasil truly proves himself as a chameleon, adapting seamlessly to his role.

However, the film's length and certain screenplay choices weigh it down. Some scenes, like the death scene, are replayed excessively, and numerous lingering shots add to the runtime without contributing much to the story. The decision to introduce the villain so late also felt like a missed opportunity; it led to hurried exposition to catch the audience up, which disrupted the flow.

While I don't mind a lengthy movie if it has enough to say, this one felt stretched. Tightening up the pacing would have made for a more engaging experience without sacrificing the depth or impact.

I'm not really going to structure my review for this, and instead use this as an impression dump. "Vettayan" was definitely the best Rajni movie since "Petta", but it's also the case that there just hasn't been a half decent Rajni movie since "Petta". "Vettayan" does its best to hold ground, but it still ends up being a rather tiresome watch. The main reason for this is just how long this movie went on for when it didn't really need to.

The first half was pretty good and while that might have been enough to keep your attention for a while, the second half fumbles the ball as soon as they reveal the direction of the movie. There's nothing here really that you haven't seen a million times before, but at the very least, there wasn't anything embarrassingly bad... except maybe the action, as has been the case in every Rajni movie, where the best action choreography you could do with a 70 year old man is to get him to swing his arms and flick his wig.

It's a passable movie for sure, and by Rajni standards, that's a good thing.