Vishwaroopam - Movie Review from Kerala

Kamal Haasan's Vishwaroopam is a film against Terrorism, against Al-Qaeda and not an anti-Islamic movie as many religious parties claim it to be.

Vishwanathan (Kamal Haasan) is a dance teacher with female traits living in the US and Nirupama (Pooja Kappor) is a his wife, a nuclear oncologist. Nirupama  who considers this as a marriage of convenience hires a private detective so that she can find some reason to get divorced and be with her love, her Boss.

One day the private investigator while following Visu from a Mosque/Muslim payer hall gets killed and  both Visu & Niru gets captured by few members of a terrorist outfit headed by Omar (Rahul Bose) who wants Visu dead desperately.

Who is Visu, why was he in a mosque, what the story between Omar & Visu etc. forms the rest of the story.

The biggest plus point in the film is of-course Kamal Haasan - The director, awriter, Lyricist etc - He, as usual, simply excelled in all departments. For the true fans of the star the movie will be a real treat. Kamal as the Kathak dancer in the first 30 mins was a scream, even the minutest expressions and body movements got people rupturing with cheers and applause. The 'Vishwaroopam' scene that soon follows will make fans scream their thought out [eventhough the action sequences was a bit over the top considering his standards]

His direction wass top class, was able to give the feel of a Hollywood movie, better than any other Indian movie in my opinion. Kamal the director was very well supported buy the D.O.P Sanu Varghese with some breath taking visuals. Editing and BG score also went hand in hand, eventhough i felt the movie could have been little bit more cripier.

Pooja Kumar was very good as Nirupama, got all the expressions even the slightes one correct.Lip sync was almost perfect, kudos to the dubbing artist too. Andreah had a small, cameo like role, so as Shekhar Kapoor.

Rahul Bose was terrifying as Villain in both avatars in the US and Afghanistan.

Kamal could have seeked the hel of somebody while directing the 'US Marine Coprs & FBI in action' sequences. For thos who frequent Hollywood movies, might find it average attempt. The supporting cast from US too were not up to mark.

VFX was average, especially the motion capture used in 'Kamal doing acrobatics' in Afganishtan

The script could have been more tighter, too many unnecessary pause, long shots etc in the film. Its not a start to end thrill ride like Dasavatharam. It gets to documentry mode often in the Afghan episode.

There is no spoon feeding in the film by Kamal, so you have to watch it carefully to understand things more clearly. Don't know how the core-mass audience of TN will receive the film once it releases there.You can find few loop holes in script as well.

Every religion will have good and bad people, in Vishwaroopam we have a Muslim Secret Agent fighting against Alqaeda terrorists. So its a story of Good vs Evil. Learn to see a movie as a movie and don't get too serious.

The Locations US, Canada, Jordan & studios in Chennai, Mumbai have been utilized brilliantly.

The interval scene & climax seemed haste and abrupt and lacks the twist or shock that usually associate with most films now a days.

Verdict: Watchable for Kamal Haasan and the Hollywood like making

Rating 3.25/5

The ending clearly indicates a Vishwaroopam 2 happening in the near future, where the mission shifts to India.

It was an experience to watch a film from Kerala, with the theater full of (about 90-95%) Tamil people, who were fans of Kamal, Rajni, Vijay, Ajith etc.

Saguni - Exclusive Movie Review - 3/5

Directed by N. Shankar Dayal 

Produced by Antony Xavier 

Written by N. Shankar Dayal 

Starring: Karthi, Pranitha, Prakashraj, Santhanam, Radhika, Kotta sreenivasa rao

Music by G. V. Prakash Kumar 

Cinematography P. G. Muthiah 

Editing by A. Sreekar Prasad 

Studio Dream Warrior Pictures 

Distributed by Studio Green 

Release date(s) June 22, 2012 

Saguni's big screen return after Smash-Hit 'Siruthai' which released about 18 months ago is a satisfying entertainer as far as I am concerned.

Frankly speaking didn't have much expectation from the movie, as long delayed movies always proove to be duds. The film was in the news for all the wrong reasons - Changing the Villain and reshooting all his scenes with Prakashraj, prodcution issues, long delays, re-written script, dubbing issues etc

The film is about Karthi, with the help of his side-kick Santhanam, going to all extents to save his ancestral house, which is about to be knocked down by Railways to construct a subway. On his journey he has to lock horns with the powerful villain, also happens to be the CM of TN played by Prakashraj.

The film is a complete KArthi show - he has got amazing screen presence & did it with Elan. His good old next door boy show should go well with ladies folks and kids who just adore him and form a major part of his fans. His combination with Santhanam should bring the house down in many scenes. As Rajni & Kamal they rocked the screen and made the pretty average first half a watchable one.

the Saguni aatam only begins in the 2nd half, but its not as thrilling or exciting as one would expect, but one wont think about all the negativites until the show is over. The writer intelligently could package everything neatly in rip-roaring speed in the 2nd half  giving viewers no time to think.

Radhika made a rocking comeback via Saguni. Nasser, Kota Sreenivasa Rao cameos were good. Prakashraj was superb as always, and thank god they changed the original villain (Vettaikaran fame), coz he couldnt have done justice to the evil CM's role. Heroine was a waste, eventhough her lip sync was perfect the over action spoiled it (just like Tamanna) - anyway she has got just 5/6 scenes only (+ songs)

Like all GVP films, songs in Saguni rocked before release, but after watching them on screen one is left wondering WTH is this

The movie is similar to 'Thiruvilayadal Aarambam' 'Dhool' etc, but not as exciting or pulsating

Positives

Karthi

Santhanam

Prakashraj

Radhika, Nasar, Kota Srenivasa Rao

2nd half

Comedy

Songs [audio]

Negatives

First Half

Heroine

Songs [Choreography  & Visuals except 'pottathu pathale' ]

length

direction 

 Cameos by Anushka [Eventhough i liked her being shown as a mallu] & Andreah

 

Overall its a watchable Political entertainer & a complete Karthi show, with a rocking Santhanam [Seriously, do u need more reasons to watch a popcorn entertainer?]

3/5

Box Office: Should be a hit considering a solo & wide release [2nd biggest after Enthiran]

Kamal Haasan's 'Vishwaroopam' - Exclusive Posters, Stills, Trailers etc