Kabali - The Movie
I read thousands of reviews from different walks of life before writing this.
I have seen a fair amount of those classic movies both domestic and internationally acclaimed thanks to my mother and her 'walking encyclopedia' friends. However I am no expert when it comes to knowing movies technically. Hell, when someone said that the screen play was too slow, I declare now without any shame that I had to look it up!
Another disclaimer is that m not even one of those who has seen all of Rajinikanth's movies. I have seen about 5-6 of his movies. No more. Hence you could say that m a recently christened Thalaivar fan. What I like most is his humility and his simplicity which is totally opposite to all his fellow artists, even those of his age and even above. There is no flamboyance associated to his off screen personality. And yes he is a good human being and I know for a fact that he gives back a lot to the society. Another fact - we die hard fans wouldn't mind watching just Thalaivar delivering his punch dialogues for 2 hrs! ;-) To all those who made a dig about him being so old yet not leaving the stage to the genx,
*When us millions are interested in seeing the man on screen even when he grows 100 yrs old, what's ur problem??
*If he had acted in this movie without that wig, it would damage his superstar image?? R u crazy? Does any other star walk all around the place with a nice shiny bald head and no make up and make no qualms about it when media digs at it? I say, he is by far the only one who can pull that off.
*Well if you haven't realised, u must be blind, there is NOONE ELSE IN THIS WORLD who could second him or replace him. His style quotient is legendary and he could possibly never leave the stage to someone like him. Coz there is none! Well, enough of ranting about the man. The movie review now:
Getting to the task at hand, I loved the movie from start to finish. Not a second did I look here look there, hold my hubby's hand, notice who s sitting next to me, the hundreds of crazy fans whistling and cooing. Not a second. I was in the screen, in the scene, living the Thalaivar experience.
Yes thalaivar movies are not just movies, u live them, it's a Thalaivar Experience! I was there, with Thalaivar when he walked the trademark walk out of prison, there with Radhika when she saw Thalaivar after decades, felt the pain and amusement of the father who saw his daughter alive and kicking ass , the one whom he had thought he had lost, there watching the terror faced Tony Lee planning the impossible wiping out of Kabaleeswaran family and wanting to kill him there myself, in short, I was living in the movie.
The first half introduces Kabali so well, the old gangsta who is mocked by his enemies. Kudos to Ranjith because, if he had shown Thalaivar as a 20 something hero, it would ve been a disaster. I like the matured face, mature style quotient, totally appropriate and well thought of costumes. This portrait can easily be called the best look Thalaivar has ever donned this decade.
It is a fact that Thalaivar can pull off any look with ease and make every head turn. But Ranjith made a super duper hit look. The suited look was so so apt for the movie. Such a trendsetter - no gold, no chikna flashing, no velvet, no purple or red and gold combos, no pointy shoes, just Sheer Elegance - British suit over a crisp trouser and a shirt with cutaway or Traditional English spread collars. Prim and proppah I say!
The back ground score was top class according to me. A couple friends have said that the bgm was the worst. I do agree one thing that the movie gets pretty quiet in certain bits but to me, that built up the pressure. It was like, the music director kept those places empty for you to move to the edge of the seat almost uneasy thinking what was to come. Not a single scene was predictable because the bgm never gave away the surprise. You know what they say about leaving some things unsaid?! Well these scenes had to be left quiet.
The music is top class. Apt for the Malaysian settings. Malaysian Tamils are big time into Tamil rap and to hear such awesome rap on-screen was amazing. Maya Nadhi is a Vera Level melody I am addicted to. The first time I heard it, I repeat heard the song close to 60 times one shot.
The entry of Thalaivar was really mass.
The climax is heartbreaking and so Ranjith style I hear. The invincible Thalaivar in Kabali is still growing on me even after weeks.
The story reveals much more, when u see it the second time. I haven't yet, but I will soon but I say this coz I ve been mind playing the movie for a while now.
About the storyline, I agree it is a pretty short story. But a counter to ppl commenting on the story,
*Have you ever seen a movie with a Malaysian Tamils issue? Did u even know that it still exists? That Malaysian Tamils were oppressed for ages? And are still treated like they weren't Bhoomi putras/natives? Has anyone even spoken about the unspeakable??
*The story is put in a way that it won't get banned in Malaysia. It is politically correct, just and commercially correct too. What's the point in making a story showing all gory truth and not being able to screen it anywhere at all??
*I say, the story is way better and stands apart, even without an item number, omelette on heroine's navel, jiggling body parts and hero touching all those parts. So ppl who can pass those movies through censor board and watch it without complaining, can watch this movie too and Lump It.
*The story is also appreciated for being very romantic yet age appropriate and brings such subtle emotions from all the actors and artistes alike in the movie. That's the medical miracle of the Director's brain
*The story is fresh. Brand new. Not One in a million but One in your lifetime, like Thalaivar himself.
Cast:
Radhika Apte - apt for the role. She carries an unexplainable elegance with her. Her jasmine flower laden hair, oiled and combed hair look and her awesome yet simple sarees were just cherry on top. Well the moment of her acting career is the moment she sets her eyes on Kabaleeswaran, aka Kabali and the next in close competition is when she said she was dead, till she saw him.
Dhansika: A good find, there were some top class scenes, loved her style, action queen Roop. But she needs to grow more and blossom as an actor.
All other actors and artistes do a remarkable job yet letting the highlight be on Kabali. It was also the brilliance of Ranjith. The man knows the art of cashing in on Thalaivar'nama making the best out of the given situation.
Lastly, Thalaivar 's acting,
He has matured over the years as an actor and Kabali can easily be pronounced the epitome, the class act. He acted according to the story, has been the one with the masses. Just appropriate at that age, that time, that kind of crowd. Kabali surpasses all his previous movies in the acting capability of Thalaivar. Not just style, there s Swag in his acting this time. Bombshell!
I read an interesting review talking about the caste system in Tamil Nadu or Tamils in general and how dressing went according to your caste. The review says that Kabali breaks the rule here and shows how all castes need to suit up! Not in the literal meaning. I felt that too ... I was like, ya ya same peelings when I watched Kabali at the Madurai Veeran temple in a suit. Even in our movies our downtrodden, oppressed classes had to wear loin cloth but here, our people's champion Suits up against all odds. It is a statement, a message very subtely put forth by our director and very well executed by Thalaivar. That's why I agree that Kabali is also a social game changer. Like the scene where his right hand man Ameer says that the domesticated caged birds would die if they re let free to fly the skies. Kabali responds, " Let the birds fly, they will decide for themselves - to die or to survive". Similarly, give them(the oppressed) the option and they ll decide what to wear, what to be, how to be and how to rise above the oblivion. Show them the options of what all they can rise to and he will know that's a possibility.
A random video showed me a director lashing out at the media for cashing in on Rajinikanth's popularity and praising the movie more than it deserved. He goes to say that there have been better movies speaking the Dalit issue, but no media coverage for that because there was no super star in it. As much as I agree with him on the second statement that media is selective and politically and socially very 'correct' in picking and choosing which side to be on, what needs coverage and which movies have been trendsetters and political, I would also like to urge him and my poor (bored by now readers) to think beyond it. When the Dalit issue and Dalit politics have never been spoken widely in this part of the world, why criticise one such so badly if it is able to reach the masses so successfully? Yes Attakathi may have been a way better movie by Dalit politics standards but it wasn't covered by media nor the masses. But if Ranjith can bring spotlight on the issue by giving it a Thalaivar dressing on it, what's wrong? Atleast he is able to spin a story whilst maintaining it as a socially acceptable, well received movie highlighting the untouched topics of Malaysian Tamils and the Dalit politlics.
Almost forgot to mention that I just loved the HD trailer, posters and HD stills. Mass! Goosebumps moments:
* Thalaivar entry and the walk after his wardrobe change
* Kabali opening punch and the hand gesture to tell his associates to follow him.
* Radhika Apte crying those emotional tears and Thalaivar reactions.
* Radhika Apte and Thalaivar coming before Tony Lee
* Thalaivar on sofa challenging Tony Lee in his fortress.
Overall I give a 10/10 for Kabali
P.S. I did not mean to hurt anyone's feelings or opinions. But if u did find anything written here offending, Pls gimme a break, lets agree to disagree on this!
I read thousands of reviews from different walks of life before writing this.
I have seen a fair amount of those classic movies both domestic and internationally acclaimed thanks to my mother and her 'walking encyclopedia' friends. However I am no expert when it comes to knowing movies technically. Hell, when someone said that the screen play was too slow, I declare now without any shame that I had to look it up!
Another disclaimer is that m not even one of those who has seen all of Rajinikanth's movies. I have seen about 5-6 of his movies. No more. Hence you could say that m a recently christened Thalaivar fan. What I like most is his humility and his simplicity which is totally opposite to all his fellow artists, even those of his age and even above. There is no flamboyance associated to his off screen personality. And yes he is a good human being and I know for a fact that he gives back a lot to the society. Another fact - we die hard fans wouldn't mind watching just Thalaivar delivering his punch dialogues for 2 hrs! ;-) To all those who made a dig about him being so old yet not leaving the stage to the genx,
*When us millions are interested in seeing the man on screen even when he grows 100 yrs old, what's ur problem??
*If he had acted in this movie without that wig, it would damage his superstar image?? R u crazy? Does any other star walk all around the place with a nice shiny bald head and no make up and make no qualms about it when media digs at it? I say, he is by far the only one who can pull that off.
*Well if you haven't realised, u must be blind, there is NOONE ELSE IN THIS WORLD who could second him or replace him. His style quotient is legendary and he could possibly never leave the stage to someone like him. Coz there is none! Well, enough of ranting about the man. The movie review now:
Getting to the task at hand, I loved the movie from start to finish. Not a second did I look here look there, hold my hubby's hand, notice who s sitting next to me, the hundreds of crazy fans whistling and cooing. Not a second. I was in the screen, in the scene, living the Thalaivar experience.
Yes thalaivar movies are not just movies, u live them, it's a Thalaivar Experience! I was there, with Thalaivar when he walked the trademark walk out of prison, there with Radhika when she saw Thalaivar after decades, felt the pain and amusement of the father who saw his daughter alive and kicking ass , the one whom he had thought he had lost, there watching the terror faced Tony Lee planning the impossible wiping out of Kabaleeswaran family and wanting to kill him there myself, in short, I was living in the movie.
The first half introduces Kabali so well, the old gangsta who is mocked by his enemies. Kudos to Ranjith because, if he had shown Thalaivar as a 20 something hero, it would ve been a disaster. I like the matured face, mature style quotient, totally appropriate and well thought of costumes. This portrait can easily be called the best look Thalaivar has ever donned this decade.
It is a fact that Thalaivar can pull off any look with ease and make every head turn. But Ranjith made a super duper hit look. The suited look was so so apt for the movie. Such a trendsetter - no gold, no chikna flashing, no velvet, no purple or red and gold combos, no pointy shoes, just Sheer Elegance - British suit over a crisp trouser and a shirt with cutaway or Traditional English spread collars. Prim and proppah I say!
The back ground score was top class according to me. A couple friends have said that the bgm was the worst. I do agree one thing that the movie gets pretty quiet in certain bits but to me, that built up the pressure. It was like, the music director kept those places empty for you to move to the edge of the seat almost uneasy thinking what was to come. Not a single scene was predictable because the bgm never gave away the surprise. You know what they say about leaving some things unsaid?! Well these scenes had to be left quiet.
The music is top class. Apt for the Malaysian settings. Malaysian Tamils are big time into Tamil rap and to hear such awesome rap on-screen was amazing. Maya Nadhi is a Vera Level melody I am addicted to. The first time I heard it, I repeat heard the song close to 60 times one shot.
The entry of Thalaivar was really mass.
The climax is heartbreaking and so Ranjith style I hear. The invincible Thalaivar in Kabali is still growing on me even after weeks.
The story reveals much more, when u see it the second time. I haven't yet, but I will soon but I say this coz I ve been mind playing the movie for a while now.
About the storyline, I agree it is a pretty short story. But a counter to ppl commenting on the story,
*Have you ever seen a movie with a Malaysian Tamils issue? Did u even know that it still exists? That Malaysian Tamils were oppressed for ages? And are still treated like they weren't Bhoomi putras/natives? Has anyone even spoken about the unspeakable??
*The story is put in a way that it won't get banned in Malaysia. It is politically correct, just and commercially correct too. What's the point in making a story showing all gory truth and not being able to screen it anywhere at all??
*I say, the story is way better and stands apart, even without an item number, omelette on heroine's navel, jiggling body parts and hero touching all those parts. So ppl who can pass those movies through censor board and watch it without complaining, can watch this movie too and Lump It.
*The story is also appreciated for being very romantic yet age appropriate and brings such subtle emotions from all the actors and artistes alike in the movie. That's the medical miracle of the Director's brain
*The story is fresh. Brand new. Not One in a million but One in your lifetime, like Thalaivar himself.
Cast:
Radhika Apte - apt for the role. She carries an unexplainable elegance with her. Her jasmine flower laden hair, oiled and combed hair look and her awesome yet simple sarees were just cherry on top. Well the moment of her acting career is the moment she sets her eyes on Kabaleeswaran, aka Kabali and the next in close competition is when she said she was dead, till she saw him.
Dhansika: A good find, there were some top class scenes, loved her style, action queen Roop. But she needs to grow more and blossom as an actor.
All other actors and artistes do a remarkable job yet letting the highlight be on Kabali. It was also the brilliance of Ranjith. The man knows the art of cashing in on Thalaivar'nama making the best out of the given situation.
Lastly, Thalaivar 's acting,
He has matured over the years as an actor and Kabali can easily be pronounced the epitome, the class act. He acted according to the story, has been the one with the masses. Just appropriate at that age, that time, that kind of crowd. Kabali surpasses all his previous movies in the acting capability of Thalaivar. Not just style, there s Swag in his acting this time. Bombshell!
I read an interesting review talking about the caste system in Tamil Nadu or Tamils in general and how dressing went according to your caste. The review says that Kabali breaks the rule here and shows how all castes need to suit up! Not in the literal meaning. I felt that too ... I was like, ya ya same peelings when I watched Kabali at the Madurai Veeran temple in a suit. Even in our movies our downtrodden, oppressed classes had to wear loin cloth but here, our people's champion Suits up against all odds. It is a statement, a message very subtely put forth by our director and very well executed by Thalaivar. That's why I agree that Kabali is also a social game changer. Like the scene where his right hand man Ameer says that the domesticated caged birds would die if they re let free to fly the skies. Kabali responds, " Let the birds fly, they will decide for themselves - to die or to survive". Similarly, give them(the oppressed) the option and they ll decide what to wear, what to be, how to be and how to rise above the oblivion. Show them the options of what all they can rise to and he will know that's a possibility.
A random video showed me a director lashing out at the media for cashing in on Rajinikanth's popularity and praising the movie more than it deserved. He goes to say that there have been better movies speaking the Dalit issue, but no media coverage for that because there was no super star in it. As much as I agree with him on the second statement that media is selective and politically and socially very 'correct' in picking and choosing which side to be on, what needs coverage and which movies have been trendsetters and political, I would also like to urge him and my poor (bored by now readers) to think beyond it. When the Dalit issue and Dalit politics have never been spoken widely in this part of the world, why criticise one such so badly if it is able to reach the masses so successfully? Yes Attakathi may have been a way better movie by Dalit politics standards but it wasn't covered by media nor the masses. But if Ranjith can bring spotlight on the issue by giving it a Thalaivar dressing on it, what's wrong? Atleast he is able to spin a story whilst maintaining it as a socially acceptable, well received movie highlighting the untouched topics of Malaysian Tamils and the Dalit politlics.
Almost forgot to mention that I just loved the HD trailer, posters and HD stills. Mass! Goosebumps moments:
* Thalaivar entry and the walk after his wardrobe change
* Kabali opening punch and the hand gesture to tell his associates to follow him.
* Radhika Apte crying those emotional tears and Thalaivar reactions.
* Radhika Apte and Thalaivar coming before Tony Lee
* Thalaivar on sofa challenging Tony Lee in his fortress.
Overall I give a 10/10 for Kabali
P.S. I did not mean to hurt anyone's feelings or opinions. But if u did find anything written here offending, Pls gimme a break, lets agree to disagree on this!
MAGIZHCHI
ReplyDeleteMAGIZHCHI
ReplyDeleteMikka nanri and #PeruMagizhlchi
Delete