Jigarthanda DoubleX

I will not hesitate to keep the Music for this film at the first place. The best element of the movie. Extremely talented musician Santosh Narayanan has elevated each and every scene of the movie with powerful and contentful score.

Acting of each and every cast in the movie is top notch ,Especially SJ suriya and Lawrence.

Direction and script are really very good. Hats off to the team.

Some drawbacks: First half might make the audience a bit not attached to the movie but second half is another level.

This movie is a mixture of Mass, comedy,thrill and social message. A must watch threatrical experince movie.

It's been 9 years since Jigarthanda was first released and people still love it to this day. It's considered a modern cult classic of sorts with a noticeable following, and for director Karthik Subbaraj to announce a sequel to one of the industry's most successful movies in a time where sequels exist simply to leech off name recognition, one might have some reasonable reservations about it. Well, this is where I disagree.

The original Jigarthanda was to me an extremely overrated movie. And as much as the word is frowned upon, I can't seem to find a word that describes my feeling towards it better. It was an ugly movie, with not a single likeable character, and where the conflict kept sinking to insufferable lows. It's still beyond me how this movie was ever considered anything more than mediocre. Well, thankfully we have a sequel that takes the same premise as the original and rectifies any and all faults I had with it.

Karthik Subbaraj is now 9 years the wiser, and with his naturally great eye for dramatic storytelling only refined, he finally finds good use for the premise; this time with likeable characters, clearly defined and compelling motivations, and while the occasional ostentatious tendencies do show, it's forgivable as it never impedes with the movie's impressive flow. With a breakneck first half and a resolute second, Jigarthanda Double X ends up being an arresting and fun cinematic experience. Try not to miss it!

I started Jigarthanda Double X without any expectations, but within the first ten minutes, it completely grabbed my attention. The first half was lighthearted, funny, and effortlessly entertaining, making it easy to stay invested in the story. The humor and flow of events kept things smooth and enjoyable, and I found myself really getting into it.

But then the second half took things in a whole new direction. Just when I thought I had a feel for the movie, the tone changed entirely, shifting from a funny, relaxed vibe to something much more intense and gripping. It felt like a completely different movie in the best way possible. This twist kept things fresh and made the entire experience more exciting and layered, blending humor with drama in a way that worked really well.

S. J. Suryah's performance was outstanding. He brought a lot of energy and depth to his role, making his character both entertaining and memorable. His expressions, timing, and overall acting really added to the film. Watching him felt like a real treat, and he truly delivered in every scene.

Lawrence also did a great job. He brought a grounded feel to his role that balanced out the lighter moments perfectly. His performance was genuine and intense, adding another layer to the story. You could tell he was fully committed to the character, and he made a big impact. The chemistry between Suryah and Lawrence was excellent, with their different styles complementing each other and creating some of the best scenes in the movie.

The screenplay was also well done. It kept the movie moving smoothly from one scene to the next without any awkward transitions. The balance between the humor in the first half and the drama in the second was perfect. There was no forced humor or unnecessary filler, just a clear focus that helped the story shine.

The storytelling was creative and effective. Instead of sticking to a predictable formula, the movie took a few risks with its narrative, which really paid off. The twists were surprising but didn't feel out of place, adding more depth to the plot. It was clear the filmmakers had put a lot of thought into how they wanted the story to unfold, blending different elements to keep it fresh and engaging.

Overall, Jigarthanda Double X was a great watch. It gave me a fun, lighthearted first half followed by a gripping, intense second half. With solid performances from S. J. Suryah and Lawrence, strong writing, and clever storytelling, this movie stands out. Even if you go in with no expectations, it's hard not to get drawn into the film's unique charm and energy.

In short, Jigarthanda Double X is a movie that balances comedy and drama perfectly. With great acting, a well-crafted screenplay, and unexpected twists, it's an enjoyable experience from start to finish. If you're looking for something that can surprise you in a good way, this movie is definitely worth a watch.

Solid Cinematic Experience: This film delivers a solid cinematic experience. While not reaching mind-blowing or masterpiece status, it stands comfortably above average.

Impressive Direction and Performances: Karthik Subbaraj's direction shines, and S J Surya's performance is killer. The last half hour is a blast, adding a memorable touch to the overall viewing experience.

Well-Told Storyline: The storyline, though not super gripping, is well-told, with some scenes hitting the mark. It weaves together multiple genres seamlessly.

Drawn Out Moments: Despite occasional drawn-out moments, the movie captures attention with its legit locations, top-notch cinematography, and vibing background music.

Worth a Watch: In summary, this film is worth a watch, offering a blend of impressive direction, strong performances, and an engaging if not groundbreaking storyline.

8.1.

JDX is clearly Karthik Subbaraj's best work since Jigarthanda. Of course, it brings back the familiar "gangster & filmmaker" trope from the original, though it ups the stakes, emotions, and craft. On the whole, I still prefer the first film because it had a simpler core and didn't have to shoehorn any kind of messaging. But credit where it's due, the second half of JDX takes you into a space you wouldn't expect, (almost) hitting the right emotional notes, as well as showcasing some exceptional bits of writing. The first half of JDX, on the other hand, is probably the most well-shot in all of Subbaraj's films. Cinematographer Tirru is firing on all cylinders, getting the Madurai Western colour palette right and candidly capturing a host of differentially textured characters. SaNa & Subbaraj are an irrefutable combo, and somehow, the latter keeps extracting fantastic background scores from the former.

The writing in the pre-interval block and the climax are terrific. These segments bring out the best in SJ Suryah as a performer, even when they hark back to certain ideas from the first film. The remainder of the film rests on the able shoulders of Raghava Lawrence, who comes up with a spectacular feat. It's to the director's credit that we only see Alliyus Caesar and NOT Raghava Lawrence in the film. The supporting cast also pitches in with emotionally charged performances, and this includes good showings from Nimisha Sajayan and Ilavarasu - plus, the folks who played various members of the tribe. Naveen Chandra, as the antagonist, is impressive. I can say the same for the actor who portrayed Shettani.

Subbaraj's adoration for Clint Eastwood Westerns fully comes through in the first half, and while the humour quotient is less (when compared with the 2014 film), it keeps you visually hooked. The setup is elaborate, and in the beginning, I wondered why Subbaraj took the longest (and intricately detailed) route to get to the seen-before plot point from the first film. But, he surprised me in the climactic portion by offering solid payoffs. The only major downer is the visual effects for the elephant scenes, but I'm willing to let that slide since the makers didn't try to brag/reveal too much in their promotional material about it. On the whole, this is deliciously cooked meta cinema, and a splendid return to form for Karthik Subbaraj, the CINEMA LOVER.