Kolai

Why do movie makers use so much of CGI these days? I guess if they are making a Prime or Netflix movie they resort to CGI but this was just an overkill and even funny to watch at times. The production value is as worse than a TV serial which these days are made better than movies. For a Vijay Anthony movie this was a major disappointment. This is why Malayalam movies are on top of their game these days, they are as real as they get and the acting is professional and to the point. I wish movie makers focused more on quality than quantity. A very big let down by Vijay Antony. I'm sorry but can't give this movie more than 1.

Seriously! I am still in some bewilderment after watching this film. One burning question remains: what in the actual nonsense were all those amazing set pieces for?! Did someone just win a "most elaborate waste of resources" award?

Now, don't get me wrong, I actually liked "Vidiyum Munn" (2013). It still holds up as one of the genuinely good attempt from Tamil. So, when the buzz started building around this Peter director's "Kolai," especially with those intriguing trailers, my hopes flickered. It looked pretty promising! Then came the deluge of Peter director interviews, plastered across every channel, and my expectations plummeted. This guy was spouting mainstream cinema jargon and talking about timelines, I knew right then and there that the film was going to reek of artificiality, and boy, was I tragically correct. It was so mind-numbingly bland, such an unmitigated disaster, that the very style they were trying to push - the supposed driving force - turned out to be an unsurprising and utterly nauseating overdose.

I swear, the languid expectation of the trailers was replaced by disappointment. Okay, fine, the art direction and cinematography deserve a reluctant nod. There were indeed many fascinating sets, a visual feast for the eyes, I'll give them that. Otherwise, this film would have vanished from my memory faster.

In closing, the insultingly basic, plot is too basic and the treatment was so atrocious for an whodunit. Honestly, this whole convoluted mess could have been a decent 30-minute short film. My advice? Avoid this pretentious. Go spend your precious time and money on something worthwhile, like "Oppenheimer" or even "Hostel Hudugaru Bekagiddare" this weekend. Trust me on this one.

Kolai was a great watch with the narrative being in a unique style and the play of scenes and timelines where the plot goes back and forth is flawless . The cast was used again in a manner different from how we have seen them before which adds to the charm.

The way the emotions and possible scenarios that played in the detective's mind was shown as a scene to the viewers was beautiful.. The subtle hints dropped at the apt places and the execution of crime unveiling itself like untying of a difficult knot was a pleasure to watch ..

This was holding a classy style of how the story was said to us - the viewers...

Truly a tale not to be missed !!!

Director Balaji 's Hollywood style of filmmaking is intriguing. It gave a fresh feel to the viewers, also sound , art work & camera work garners a special attention till the very end. If you are a suspense genre fan, this KOLAI is the right choice for a wholesome entertainment. Short runtime is also a added advantage for this whodunit film. Vijay Antony & rest of the cast were seen in kingpin roles. Plot is simple but the way of presentation is classy & keeps us engaged throughout. As few flaws such as moderate second half, lacks twist & turns at regular intervals. Overall, a decent crime thriller loaded with solid technical aspects.

This movie is such a pleasant surprise, I have no hesitancy in highly recommend it. It combines well developed characters, a great plot, energetic music, high level production, and fun cinematic angles/tricks to make a fabulous "who done it". Even if Indian/foreign movies & subtitles are not your thing, this movie carries a universal appeal that will keep you on the edge of your seat, and have you leaving the theater with a smile. Actually the subtitles make it more fun, and they even throw lots of English lines. It's a surprisingly good-time movie, and you'll be glad that you took a chance on this non-mainstream movie.