First things first. Shankar is one of my most loved filmmakers in India. But Sivaji according to his standards is in a way a disappointment. The publicity itself said AVM's Sivaji and not Shankar's!Starring Superstar Rajnikanth as Sivaji, the movie only ends up being just another action entertainer. This could be Shankar's most (or only) meaningless effort. It is due to the fact that this movie does not tell anything new than what he told with his own Mudhalvan.
Shankar bases his first ever Rajnikanth movie on black money. Like every other Shankar movie, he too adds some subplots that blends with the flow which this time includes child labour, education and more. The basic presentation of the film is no different from Mudhalvan. The cutting pattern of Antony is far from his normal style and takes more of director Shankar's stamp. The other crew of the movie is also the same people who made Mudhalvan. This may be because Shankar had first opted to make Mudhalvan with Rajnikanth and not Arjun.
This film takes full advantage of Rajnikanth. It can't be made with any other actor in the lead. The reason is that Rajnikanth is a Superstar, and above that top notch at heroism. Rajnikanth looks old in a few scenes but he looks cool in the total packing. Rajnikanth turns even better with every bit of progress in the movie. His lady love, Tamilselvi, played by Shriya, also fits the bill. But Vivek is the pick in the cast due to his perfect comic timing. Shankar has always encouraged comedy in his movies. But this could be his only one with comic situations popping out through the romantic track. The guts put by Shankar and dialogue writer Sujatha to use Vivek with punchlines when sharing space with Superstar Rajni deserves credit. Suman as the bad guy looks superb and passes the baddie feeling with his black glasses alone.
Shankar has always particular about songs. This one is also no different. But Ballelakka... could be one song he would like to improve upon if he ever did. The visuals does not seem to overtake A. R. Rahman's music as it did every other time. My favorite track in the movie is Style and the visualization for the same is pure craft, thanks to the visual effects department.
When Shankar's script lacks freshness, Sujatha's dialogues seems to have a master touch. Whether it is the punchline or the explanation for something, everything works to the fullest.
Thotta Tharani does a good work as art director and so does cinematographer K. V. Anand. Peter Hein, the stunt choreographer could have done much better however as the level of believability even with respect to Rajnikanth is over the top. The length of three hours and five minutes also needs some trimming especially the climax.
To sum up, Sivaji could disappoint many, but it does work at parts.
Shankar bases his first ever Rajnikanth movie on black money. Like every other Shankar movie, he too adds some subplots that blends with the flow which this time includes child labour, education and more. The basic presentation of the film is no different from Mudhalvan. The cutting pattern of Antony is far from his normal style and takes more of director Shankar's stamp. The other crew of the movie is also the same people who made Mudhalvan. This may be because Shankar had first opted to make Mudhalvan with Rajnikanth and not Arjun.
This film takes full advantage of Rajnikanth. It can't be made with any other actor in the lead. The reason is that Rajnikanth is a Superstar, and above that top notch at heroism. Rajnikanth looks old in a few scenes but he looks cool in the total packing. Rajnikanth turns even better with every bit of progress in the movie. His lady love, Tamilselvi, played by Shriya, also fits the bill. But Vivek is the pick in the cast due to his perfect comic timing. Shankar has always encouraged comedy in his movies. But this could be his only one with comic situations popping out through the romantic track. The guts put by Shankar and dialogue writer Sujatha to use Vivek with punchlines when sharing space with Superstar Rajni deserves credit. Suman as the bad guy looks superb and passes the baddie feeling with his black glasses alone.
Shankar has always particular about songs. This one is also no different. But Ballelakka... could be one song he would like to improve upon if he ever did. The visuals does not seem to overtake A. R. Rahman's music as it did every other time. My favorite track in the movie is Style and the visualization for the same is pure craft, thanks to the visual effects department.
When Shankar's script lacks freshness, Sujatha's dialogues seems to have a master touch. Whether it is the punchline or the explanation for something, everything works to the fullest.
Thotta Tharani does a good work as art director and so does cinematographer K. V. Anand. Peter Hein, the stunt choreographer could have done much better however as the level of believability even with respect to Rajnikanth is over the top. The length of three hours and five minutes also needs some trimming especially the climax.
To sum up, Sivaji could disappoint many, but it does work at parts.
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