Captain Miller

My first theater watch of the year and it does use the big screen and sound impressively. But there are few movies that despite finding it to be very predictable, with so many moments that feel wasted, the emotions not hitting as they should and still come out satisfied with the end product like this. There are so many things going on in this movie, that it could have taken a lot of directions. Here, they chose to focus the most on the action and there are some great setpieces. Arun Matheshwaran knows how to make a frame look incredible and he does that brilliantly throughout the movie. There's so much that is told through framing and composition alone without actually saying anything. But unlike Rocky which followed an arthouse approach, this is a fully commercial approach without going overboard.

The problem with the movie is that there are so many characters and events happening that the emotions they are trying to convey are not fully realized on screen as they want to be. It felt like there might be a much longer cut that would properly justify and convey the emotions and if there is, that could be truly great.

Shiva Rajkumar was nice in his role. But his and Sundeep Kishan's roles really felt like they needed more screen time to give the full impact that was intended. Even Priyanka Mohan's character who had decent screen time lacked the proper writing for a lot of things to make sense.

In a way, it also felt like the familiarity of the way the story unfolds was also utilized to not explain a lot of things too much.

The dialogue about why the protagonist is joining the British army despite the freedom struggle happening was the high point in terms of writing in my opinion. That was used as a pivot point to start the journey. The action-packed nature of the movie also kind of lessened the impact of some of the more horrific stuff happening. But still, the action was terrific and even if the director falters when he tries to use the star elements of the actors, it doesn't go too much into the star worship level things that these types of films do.

GV Prakash Kumar's music is also a huge part of the movie as it really elevated a lot of the scenes and at times also made apparent why some aspects needed better writing.

It is unnecessary to say that Dhanush did a fantastic job but a lot of times the character became more than what is written because of his acting. He brought depth through performance that was not explored enough through writing and direction.

Ashraf Mallissery speaking Malayalam instead of Tamil when he's agitated is something I enjoyed in both this and Rocky. But the Malayalam audience in the theatre sure loved that dialogue.

Despite all of its problems, I enjoyed the movie a lot. The theatre experience was a blast and I really hope they have an extended cut for this.

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.

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.

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.

"Captain Miller" delivers an action-packed thrill ride with a unique blend of Indian flair and intense sequences reminiscent of "John Wick." Dhanush shines as the titular character, bringing depth and authenticity to the role. The film's emotional depth adds richness to the story, while the background score creates goosebumps-inducing moments throughout. Director Arun Matheswaran impresses with his ability to balance action and emotion, making every scene captivating. Despite its lengthy runtime, the movie's pacing may feel slow for some, especially in action-heavy sequences. However, the gripping plot and surprising twists keep viewers engaged until the very end. The female characters also shine with their brutal and action-packed performances, adding to the film's intensity. While the violence may not be for everyone, it adds to the overall impact of the story. With a tantalizing hint at a potential sequel or spin-off in the final moments, "Captain Miller" leaves audiences eager for more adventures in its thrilling world.