THANDAVAM

Cast : Vikram, Anushka, Amy Jackson, Jagapathi Babu, Nasser

Director :  A L Vijay

Music :  G V Prakash Kumar

Cinematography : Nirav Shah

Art Direction : Nagu

Editing :  Anthony

SYNOPSIS

Kenny (Vikram)  is a blind pianist who living with an ability called echolocation (the use of sound by people to locate objects by detecting the echo of sound pulses to measure the distances) . He has his own mission to seek revenge of a series bomb blast with help from Geetha (Lakshmi Rai). The flashback notes he was a higher position RAW officer, SivaKumar. Together with his best friend, Sarath (Jagapathi Babu), they were on a mission to revolves the bomb blasters which later lead them to London. Meanwhile, SivaKumar marries Meenakshi (Anushka), an eye surgeon. The marriage was arranged by SivaKumar's mom. Without getting to know each other at the beginning, SivaKumar later fall in love with Meenakshi. After their marriage, Meenakshi sets a rule in their relationship where their bond has to start from friendship followed by love. At the same time, she has no clue on SivaKumar's real job designation until they came across the party. The love story that blossom between SivaKumar and Meenakshi beautifully picturized by the director.  SivaKumar who was on a mission to capture the bomb blast activist was perfectly trapped in a tight situation. The situation gets worst when he finds out the man behind the mission. As a result, SivaKumar lost his vision in term of saving his love ones during a tragic bomb blast. 

THE CAST

Vikram - His dedication towards his work totally remarkable. He is able to carry any task wonderfully to bring his character to live. He does not have lengthy dialogues as his body language speaks for his character.

Anushka - She portraits a beautiful character and plays her role well as she carries an important character in the movie. The lovable bond between her character and Vikram's character perfectly performed and narrates the romance beautifully. 

Amy Jackson -  After the success debut in Madarasapattinam, she returns to A L Vijay's narration but this time in a modern style as Sarah Vinayagam, the Miss London winner who later have a crush on Kenny. Her beauty without a doubt fits her character. Unfortunately, her character were shading off towards the movie.  Being a talented actress, Amy Jackson should have be given the sparks to rise her career in this film. Yet, I could not figure out why is it necessary to include her character as a born British Indian who speaks Tamil. It not going to effect the movie at any cause if her character speaks purely in her own native. 

Jagapati Babu - He dons a role who is the best friend for Vikram's character. Besides being in a  supportive role, he performs his character perfectly as he carries one of the important role in this story.

Nasser - He plays a Sri Lankan officer who investigates the crime n leads the story. Nasser's experience in the industry totally whelming his character which is presented well.

Cast Rating : 4 / 5

THE DIRECTOR

A L Vijay venture continues after back to back hit from Kireedom, Madrasapattinam, n DeivaThirumagal. He brought back the entire team from DeivaThirumagal with Amy Jackson, Jagapati Babu and Lakshmi Rai as addition. After the wonderful eye tearing DeivaThirumagal, A L Vijay came with an action pack film.

"An Unusual Revenge Story" - NOT!!! its just another typical revenge story about a man having his own vendetta for the lost of his love one. The only unusual about this story is about echolocation method which A L Vijay has to be given high credit for introduction this method to the audiences. In addition, A L Vijay introduces Daniel Krish, an expert in the echolocation method. In fact, as a blind person himself, Daniel Krish was the founder of this method. Another big applause for A L Vijay for picturing a beautiful love story between the two main lead. It definitely will flow deeply to audience heart. In DeivaThirumagal, A L Vijay perfectly the love bond between a father and his daughter, this time he emphasis the love bond in newly married couple.

As part of portraying a beautiful love story, as I mentioned, it is an ordinary revenge story. While having a perfect master plan to trap SivaKumar who was on a mission to revolve the bomb blast activist, the plot are kindly predictable. The family bond during the arrangements of SivaKumar's wedding which includes  awards winners Thambi Ramaiah and Saranya as well as comedian M S Bhaskar to cast as cameo which should have been extracted to entertain the audience more. Besides that, Amy Jackson's role should have been given a strong impact in the movie. Being a talented actress herself, she deserve to be in top performing role.

Director Rating : 3 / 5

CINEMATOGRAPHY

Nirav Shah is very well known for his camera handling. Never fails to visualize the audiences with his talent. His camera angles and shots delivers the flow of the story perfectly.

Cinematography Rating : 3.5 / 5

MUSIC

G V Prakash Kumar - A L Vijay combination delivers superior melodies for the audience but this time not all the songs are close deep to the heart as their previous movies. Not really the type of the songs that people would hear again and again. Fortunately,song such Uyirin Uyire totally mesmerizes deeply to the audience as it was melodiously composed by G V Prakash Kumar.

Music Rating : 2.5 / 5

THANDAVAM -  Not an unusual revenge story as it mentioned. The introduction to echolocation method and appearances by Daniel Krish totally deserving A L Vijay a big applause of credits. Vikram with an interesting character without lengthy dialogues, focusing more in body language and expression. A beautiful love bond between two couple. 'Uyirin Uyire' lovely composed but shown at the wrong sequences. A predictable storyline especially after the flashback was revealed. A remarkable camerawork with slow and predicted storyline.

MOVIE RATING : 2.5 / 5

*NOT A REVIEW JUST MY THOUGHTS*

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MAATRAAN

Cast : Surya, Kajal Agarwal, Sachin Khedekar

Director : K V Anand

Music : Harris Jayaraj

Cinematographer : S Soundar Rajan

Art Direction : Rajeevan 

Editing : Anthony

SYNOPSIS

Conjoined twins -Vimalan and Akilan (dual role Surya), though they are stuck together, they have different lifestyles. Vimalan, a serious and straight character meanwhile Akilan, a playful enjoyable character. As  it was mentioned in the movie - "enggeleku blood mattum thaan common, mathathellam thani thani" (Though our blood is same, we are totally different). 

Story evolves from the birth of the conjoined twins whom having special birth by sticking together and living through one heart. Dad, Ramachandran (Sachin Khedekar) wants to separated the twins to save their life but strictly objected by the mother (Thara). She wants to raise both of them with her own love and willingness. The first song "Rettai Kathire" picturize the growth of the conjoined twins and the harsh times went through the father who is a genius genetic engineer whose ability was not looked up in the field. This causes him to commit suicide but later was saved by his wife. As the conjoined twins grows, Ramachandran's life changes for the better and became successful as the founder of the energy drink - Energion. 

As the business mainstream, rivals trying to figure out the ingredients for the formula which is totally undisclosed by Ramachandran. A Russian women tries to get closer with the conjoined twins with the help of Anjali (Kajal Agarwal) to traps the ingredients. Soon, Vimalan gets suspicious and clear his doubts from the Russian woman. His doubts became more spectacular when it hints direct to his father. As he was having harsh talk with his father, the bond between brothers were tested. The situation gets even struggled when the Russian woman was found death. But, before she dies, she swallow a chip that contains the secret of the formula. With the help from Anjali, the chip were delivered to Agilan. This lead to a huge fight at the theme park were Agilan were beaten direct on the head to save Vimalan's life. The fight results Agilan's death and the conjoined twins were separated.

As Vimalan get comfort with his single body after being separated, he soon discovers the tragic behind Agilan's death and causes a big suspicion to his father. This brought the 2nd half movie to Russia and the discovery of the truth of the Energion energy drink and how it can be dangerous to the life of million peoples. 

THE CAST
Surya -  an example of hard work. He keeps on improving in his every movies. Maatraan becomes the first movie in Tamil cinema to use performance capture technology which acquires double hard work by Surya who respectfully accepted the challenges and brilliantly convey his performances without a doubt never fail to  entertain his fans and never let his team down. He portraits both dual characters remarkably. Its like seeing two different characters for real. He proves he can accept any characters well.

Kajal Agarwal - She plays an important character in the movie. As part of being a Russian translator for Akilan, she conveys her roles well and being a medium to change the story flows.


Sachin Khedekar - Plays the important role equally to the main role. He brings his character as a dedicated father who willing to do anything to succeed his career. A genetic engineer who starts to think himself as God. 

Thara - Plays the the role of both Vimalan and Akilan's mother who performs her character well as a mother  and as a wife.

Cast Rating : 4.5 / 5

THE DIRECTOR
After back to back hit from Ayan and KO, it is very highly expected movie form director K V Anand. His dedications and efforts were limitless to make this amazing script to include the concept of genetic engineering and baby designing from multiple donor ideology to the Tamil screen. Not to forget the brilliant mind to encourage himself to bring performance capture technology to be input together with the conjoined twins concept. But  this time he fails to bring the excitement at the 2nd half of the movie. A fun adventurous entertainment in 1st half of the movie totally vanished in the 2nd part of the film. Too many draggy and unnecessary scenes which totally boost down the 2nd period of the movie. Totally lowering down the expectations from the viewers.

Director Rating : 4 / 5

CINEMATOGRAPHY
A visual treats for the audiences.  S Soundar Rajan's cinematography brings the flow of the movie perfectly brilliant. His eye-catching visionary especially in songs such as Nani Koni wonderfully screened to the viewers. A very highly ventured cinematographic excels the storyline.

Cinematography Rating : 4 / 5   

MUSIC
Surya - Harris Jayaraj combination never fails to bring the musical treats to the fans. Songs such Rettai Kathire, Nani Kodi and Kaal Mulhaite Poove  placed deeply to viewers heart. Video visual for the songs anticipated the songs to be heard again n again. At the same time, Harris Jayaraj scrolled down his effort by producing epic BGM's which notify the viewers that the BGM's has been adopted form other source. This totally dropped down his music.

Music Rating: 2.5 / 5

STUNT 

Definitely need to give a big applause to Peter Hain to bring out extreme stunt especially the fights scene at the roller coaster park. Totally a mind-blowing stunts conveyed by Peter Hain to bring the conjoined twins to the actions. The scenes where Vimalan and Akilan stretched out during the fights and the part Vimalan's head was directly hit been totally nailed deeply the heart. Probably the best action stunts been witness.  

Stunt : 4 / 5

MAATRAAN -  Highly anticipated K V Anand story which not only about conjoined twins but related to genetic engineering. A big bow to the VFX team to portrait the performing capture technology. Kudos to Peter Hain brilliant effort to feature the conjoined twins to the actions at the roller coaster ride. A fun packed entertainer which totally scrolled down by the lengthy and draggy storyline in the second half. This could have been trimmed and reduced to be a mass entertainment.

MOVIE RATING : 3 / 5

*NOT  A REVIEW, JUST MY THOUGHTS*

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