I

"I" : How I felt Shanker's magnum opus I starring Vikram is huge, but doesn't reach the expected levels of hype.

I was obviously the most-awaited movie of the year, I was damn waiting for this flick since the teaser release months ago. The main elements of expectations were Shanker and Vikram, for the former's history of great flicks and the latter's talent and dedication. Rahman's music, P.C.Sreeram's frames everything was a matter of hype.... when I heard about Suresh Gopi's presence my level of expectations increased. Being a great movie lover, I was unable to resist myself from watching the movie the first day itself.

Now,coming to the experience of the magnum opus,

the story of the movie is told in two time lines, one is that of a hunchback man who kidnaps a supermodel from her wedding and the other, is his past with her. All together, the movie draws a sketch over the life of a gym master-turned- model, Ligeshwar aka Lee.

Initially, Director Shankar pushes the viewer into a forest of thrill called "I". As the viewer proceeds, he finds it interesting and wonderful, the visuals and colors mesmerizes the viewer, but, as the viewer reaches a stage of Shanker's magnum opus forest, the roads become clearer, it becomes no more a forest, the viewer one who is able to recollect one dialoge of the first stages, find the forest nothing but a projection of huge trees and a single beast called Vikram. Finally, when the movie ends, the viewer realizes that, the 'so called' troubling paths of forest were just usual roads and the forest is usual except for some visually appealing elements, action sequences and that heavy beast called Vikram.

Yes, what you have read is correct. Shanker fails to meet expectations. I do accept that "I" is a visual wonder and treat for eyes, one can easily go crazy for those action sequences and compelling background score. Shanker really requires applause for the heights of technical brilliance he has achieved, but only visuals can't appeal the viewer, there should be a solid script which makes the viewer engaging. Yes, he keeps us engaged, takes to some level of expectation and what he delivered in pen-ultimate sequences is inside the circle of imagination, anyone could easily predict the movie as it precedes further. Had there was something which is out of the box, "I" would have been a mile-stone. It may satisfy a viewer who has normal expectations, but I am not satisfied to the core. But certain elements made "I" enterprising. The supreme of them is the jaw-dropping performance of Vikram. What an actor man...!!! How can a person expose so much dedication and hard work...! Had he committed a slight mistake, I would have been an epic failure, but he makes it stand. His transformation of characters require special applause, from start to end, it is Vikram show. 'Lee' was so effective only due to his versatility in acting and perfection in body language. The next factor is Shanker's making. Even though the scripting failed, his making was awesome. Each frame had novelty. Presented the average script in an engaging manner. Took the visuals to another level of experience. Next is undoubtedly, the maestro's music, AR Rahman's music was of top class, offered life to the movie. That BGM of main villain was terrific PC Sreeram's frames offered treat to eyes. Colouring effects were wonderful. Certain shots had an international outlook. ANL Arasu's action sequences were of great excellence, had a world class touch in it. Weta-Workshop made the make up works look damn realistic. Kudos to their work. A mixture of all these fore told elements offered a visual wonder but script still remained average.

Coming to the performances of others, Amy Jackson had a role of good importance unlike the hero-oriented flicks of these days. She was beautiful and sexy...filled the space of beauty quotient. Did her part well. Remarkable performance was from Suresh Gopi, did his job with utmost perfection. Upen Patel's negative role was impressive, where, Santhanam took charge over the comedy track. The other characters too did their part well.

Art direction too requires applause, that advertisement song (Aila Aila) was creativity brilliant and Beast song (Ennod Nee Irunthaal) had great visual excellence.

The movie had a brilliant technical crew, which require special applause for the visual experience.

Mind blowing Vikram, Stylish Making, Top Class Action sequences and wonderful visuals, altogether makes "I" huge,which makes the viewer engaging but lags behind only due to not-that- compelling script.

Kudos to Vikram again....you are a great actor....really great :)

My Rating: 7/10 Go for it, Vikram's performance is enough to make your money worth.

_Sooraj Pattazy

I usually do not write reviews on IMDb. But i have to make an exception to this movie. This is the one hell of a epic movie i have watched till date. Starting from the beginning to the end, the movie takes you on a roller-coaster ride.

I do not have words to explain Vikram. He proved once again that he is not just a great actor, but also a hard worker too.

AR Rehman music is a real treat. Trust me, you will loose yourself listening to music.

Apart from vikram, every other co actors did their job well.

Overall this movie is best one to watch this weekend. If you got time to spend and willing to watch a movie, then go on and book your seats before someone steels yours.

Prior to the release, the movie had immaculate hype for an "international quality" story line. Both from the director and the lead actor.

Vikram quoted this as his dream role and the best one he has done yet. The actor has put a lot of effort into the role, with not only the body transformations, but also with the incredible acting. But the real question is, was the story worth it? To me it's a NO!

Pithamagan, Sethu and Anniyan still stay to be the best of Vikram.

The story is something any 10 year old could guess.

STORY: A body builder and gym owner (Vikram) meets his crush, a TV model on a shooting set. Through a series of events Vikram is made to be a model by Amy. They eventually get into a relationship and become top models. Leading to jealousy and animosity, among the villains. There after it is a usual revenge story. Bad guy loses - good guy wins.

The movie has a lot of plot holes or should i say, factual errors. Mostly on the revenge methods.

MUSIC: AR Rahman fails in this one with his poor background score. No songs in the movie gets the fans dancing. But ARR saves his name with "Ennodu Nee Irundhaal" song, which is absolutely breath taking.

Cinematography: PC Shriram, nothing more to be said. The visuals from China are more than enough to show what the man is capable of. Brilliant.

Make UP & Art: Absolutely brilliant. 10/10.

In an interview Shankar, describes himself as "never disappoints". Sorry sir, but after watching films like Anniyan and Mudhalvan, you certainly did disappoint us.

The movie "I" is technically brilliant, but intellectually stupid.

A word to Shankar sir before your next movie, i understand your urge to take Indian cinema to the next level but please there is more to cinema than just graphics, it's called story and that is something you know better than any of us.

Please sir, we miss intelligent flicks like Mudhalvan and Anniyan.

I movie comes with Romantic Thriller action movie

Director Shankar comes love story with revenge based one. Colorful picturization & cinematography graphics.

Screenplay comes with Vikram bodybuilder whose only goal in life is become Mr. India and how his life change path to model / love with Amy/ hunchback character.

Chiyaan Vikram proved nobody can match him when comes to performance. Redefines acting and dedication for role. Hats off to his acting . Hunchback role was really touching

Amy is at her hottest best. Perfect choice for the role.. Really did well performance.. Superb.. Movie moves around her only.

Santhanam Comedy rocks simply first half and last part of movie

Suresh Gopi did simply good with positive / negative character.

Ramkumar Ganesan (Actor Prabhu bro), debut in this movie.. Comes as a business man, nice attempt.

Upen Patel also did well.

Ojas M. Rajani role was nice..

Power star just a guest role - Just value add

Cinematography P. C. Sreeram was really visual treat.. Sema... (shots in China was Good)

Edited by Llewellyn Anthony Gonsalves was good..

Brilliant fights too..

Music by A.R was simply superb....("Mersalaayitten" - Awesome one and "Ennodu Nee Irundhaal" ).. BGM was Good..

Plus:

Vikram Acting (Hunchback role - Awesome)

Shankar Screen play

AR Music

Amy performance

Santhanam Comedy

Cinematography

Minus:

In between First half will feel slow / bore ( for 15 min)

Shall be Value added in story.

Some may feel Movie lengthy.

Verdict : Don't Miss the movie. Should see for Hunchback role.

'I' saw the movie U don't miss the 'I'.

Score : 4.25 /5

I don't want to reveal anything about the story, but the genre of this flick is most important for you to know before you enter the theatre. It's a Romantic Thriller with fantasy elements. Vikram is the show stealer. He's just out of the world. His action in each and every frame, will keep you all spellbound, especially the hunch-back characters' sequence. And the film, from the first frame till the last, runs on a very very clever screenplay, which I haven't seen in any of Shankar's previous flicks. The Cinematography is outstanding. And P C sir once again proved that he is the King of Cinematographers in India. No wonder why the film production cost so much,the art- work and the sets they solely put up for Songs would give you the answer! Splendid art direction. This films' OST will remain as career best for A R Rahman. Upen Patel was good. Santhanam was hilarious. Amy Jackson was good with her acting skills. She was literally an 'I' candy all through the film. The amount of 'A' rated content should have been controlled by Shanker sir. The length of the film and few scenes might seem lagging, but the crews' 3 years of hard work overpowers it. The best parts being the whole China sequences, Upen-Vikrams fight sequence and Hunchbacks' emotional scenes. This 'I' will remain as a unique film in Shankar's career, not many are made in such a way. Before you get in the theatre, do not have any expectations and watch the film with a lot of patience and I would assure you that you'd leave the theatre with a smile on your face and most likely, a bit teary-eyed as well. And for people with less patience, I would suggest them to avoid this flick.