Azhagiya Thamizh Magan, if you are a Vijay fan, you are bound to love it. If you are someone who throws logical sense out of the window before entering the theatre, chances are that you might like it. If you are someone who appreciates quality film making, you will hate it. Now to the review…
First thing first, Vijay, newly christened “Iniya, Idhaya, Illaya Thalapathy”, is magical. He is power packed, style personified and ruthlessly elegant. The ease and grace with which he carries himself is something that needs to be seen on the silver screen. Perhaps, perhaps, he could have chosen a better platform.
Coming to the story, if there is one, is about Guru(Vijay) who is an athlete, meets Shriya, falls in love and to everyone’s surprise (the only non cinematic twist in the movie) both their parents give the green signal. Vijay suddenly acquires powers to prophesy the future, with most of his predictions coming true. After seeing a disturbing visual, Vijay decides to get away from Shriya and goes to Mumbai. In comes a mean money lender, Prasad, whose only aim in life is money, played by Vijay again. All hell breaks loose when Prasad decides to act as Guru and marry the rich Shriya. The rest of the story is how the good Vijay saves Shriya from the evil Vijay. Truly unstoppable with villainy, Vijay generates expectations and buzz with the introduction of the second role, only to be lost towards the end, courtesy the screenplay.
The main drawback of the movie is that it tends to follow a predictable path, one taken by zillions of masala movies before. Predict a fight, it is there, wish a song, it is there too, by the end of the movie, we tend to be a bit confused if we were also blessed with the ability to foresee the future. The first half is long, slow and clichéd.
Shriya has a good role and she has done a decent job and looks angelic. Santhanam does his part. Sayaji Shinde and Ashish Vidyarthi suffer from improper characterization. Namitha for a song and a few scenes, is a living proof of the dozing censor board, as the movie’s U certificate is cruel to say the least.
Director Barathan, who had the rising Superstar of Kollywood as his hero, Shriya, arguably the number one heroine in Tamil, fresh off Sivaji, A.R.Rahman for music and Appachan as the producer has let down a lifetime opportunity. Camera work by Balasubramaniam is excellent. All the songs have been choreographed artistically with top notch visuals. Lawrence needs special mention, as Vijay’s moves and shakes are sure to become a rage, especially the “Munnal vada” and “Ponmagal Vandal” numbers. A.R.Rahman as usual dazzles. The Visual effects are a bit tacky in some places, but overall a nice attempt. The effects for the last chase sequence is better left not discussed. The editor hasn’t impressed with a dragging first half. Only if a few scenes had been cut out, the movie would have been better. The stunts are over the top, the laws of gravity seem to not apply to the hero, though the fight between the two Vijays does stand out.
But it is all the way Vijay, with a towering performance, never seen before.
