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.

Honestly speaking the movie was quite good,

The movie explored the controversial topic of police encounters and the politics behind them, as well as the scams involving online education institutes, which was commendable.

The movie could have just ended with the arrest of the antagonist Rana Daggubati, but it doesn't, it goes on to the unbelievable plot of Rana escaping the very strong police force just like that and trying to flee the country via helicopter to a cruise. This leads Mr Rajinikanth to fly to the scene with style in a helicopter single-handedly facing a mini army of villain troops. And then yet again arresting him. After a long fight showcasing his fit-for-nothing style.

The climax fight was totally unwanted and I'm pretty sure it would have been from the request of the hero to showcase his mass masala strength. Because the movie director's previous film Jai Bhim starring Surya was totally close to actuality and had no masala nonsense. The movie could have just ended with the arrest of the antagonist.

It's high time we throw away these so-called mass moments and concentrate on better filmmaking and close-to-reality movies. Just my opinion.

Vettaiyan offers a compelling narrative that aptly explores the theme of "justice hurried is justice buried." While it might not fully embody director Gnanavel's signature style, it succeeds as a Rajinikanth film with Gnanavel's touch visible throughout.

The first half is engaging, well-paced, and filled with moments that keep you invested. However, the second half lacks the same punch, and it feels like it could have been tighter in terms of pacing and storytelling. Despite this, the cast delivers solid performances-Fahad, Ritika, Kishore, Dushara, and Amitabh all play their roles well, seamlessly contributing to the overall story. Anirudh music is repetitive.

Overall, Vettaiyan is a good watch, especially for those who appreciate a blend of commercial appeal with a strong underlying message, but it could have been even better with a more impactful second half.

*** Vettaiyan ( Hunter) Tamil Movie Review

Directed by T. J. GNANVEL starring Rajnikant in the lead role.

One Line Review : A social element conveyed with some Rajnisim.

T. J. Gnanvel who is known for his Jai Bhim , here also talks about some of the important issues of the society but it was more interesting to see how he inserted the Super Star into his story world.

If this was conveyed as T. J Gnanvel style it could have been experience of Jai Bhim but when it's when super star Rajnisim is required & we could see his whistle blowing moments thereby not loosening the commercial element.

Performance wise, Super Star flauntessly carried his character & of course when there are no Rajini moments the film would have been dull but he ignited with his usual swag.

Apart from Super Star, Fahadh Faasil performance stands. The chemistry with the Superstar worked out well. The other lead characters, Amitabh Bachchan , Ritika Singh, Manju Warrier , Dusshara Vijayan had done their parts well.

The only miscast was Rana Daggubati . His villainism didn't spark well as the character had a wildness but the outcome was poor.

Anirudh's music & proper BGM was whistle blowing.

Overall Vettaiyan delivers entertainment with a social message reminder.

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.