जिगरठंडा Double X

We've had some banger movies out of Kollywood in 2023, and this just might be my Tamil movie of the year. I was skeptical of a Jigarthanda 'sequel' when this was announced and wasn't sure what to make of the casting, but was blown away by what I watched.

You can write a story about a given topic/around a message, and a good story should be enough for the film. Making a movie about making movie about the same story could almost feel..."Why? Keep it simple & not complicate the plot. Just make it about the message." But no, JDX disagrees. It want's to do what's tough.

Writing/Direction - Easily some of the best work I've seen in recent times. The movie has so many layers that have been written in very seamlessly. I enjoyed the first film, even though I didn't like the transition of tone/genre. I knew JDX would be doing the same, but damn, I didn't expect them to 'use cinema to bring forth change' the way they did. Loved how they went back and forth on what 'shooting' means to different people in the film. I didn't expect the messaging to be hard-hitting and yet, no on-the-nose. Didn't think you could blend of genres this way, but they did.

Raghava Lawrence - role of a lifetime! It's not often that you can steal the show with SJ Surya (who was also really good) in it, but this guy managed it. You've got to watch it to believe it. Support cast - really good.

Music - Santhosh Narayanan and his work elevate almost every scene of the film beyond expectation, especially the ones that are supposed to hit hard. It was very refreshing to listen to his genre of music after continuous bombardment of Anirudh songs, only sung by him, mostly about hero-worshiping.

Cinematography - especially the first half - top notch. The lighting and the colors deserve a special mention. I was bummed out that the 2nd half didn't look as vibrant, but I understand why it was done that way.

I could go on and be more specific, but that would potentially spoil things for you...sooo...Don't miss this film! I'd be very surprised if this doesn't win a bunch of awards next year. Based on how technically epic this film, on the commentaries on various things, and simply based on how well they tell the story of the power of cinema through cinema, this would be in the top 10 Indian films of 2023 to submit for Oscars. I know I haven't watched many other GOOD Indian movies this year, but boy if they sent this film, I don't think I'd disagree one bit!

I am giving honest review and overall i liked the movie..The movie duration yes it affected the storyline and little lagg feeling but there are many plus points in the movie we should look out for..This movie is watchable with family..

PLUS POINTS 1. Lawrence Acting,Mannerism,Dialogues,Great Comeback Performance 2. Sj Suryah Apt Role as Director eventhough he was in different mission 3. Village Theme 2nd half with emotions 4. Heroine Stole our Heart again after Chitta movie she lived the Character 5. Message for society and politics strong warning 6. Storyline Good

MINUS POINTS 1. Bgm santosh messed up 2. Movie duration 3.1st 30 min little boring but eventually catch up with Lawrence entry 4. OverHyped after Jigarthanda 1 success caused this to become okayish movie.

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.

What a powerful heartfelt movie from Karthik Subbaraj, a true love letter to cinema and cinephiles.

Don't go in expecting another Jigarthanda. It's so much more than that. Where Jigarthanda was how art can influence a person, Double X is about art influencing society, building up to a really powerful ending (quite a few people teared up at the end).

KS weaves multiple genres together of action, crime, drama, comedy, thriller together like it's nothing. Finally, Raghava Lawrence demonstrates that he is an actor and not a joker, what a comeback after the Chandramairu 2 (what was that movie)

I'll make this longer later. It's just truly amazing. A real 'wammala ithan da cinema' moment; so far best Tamil film of the year.

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.