Title: Beast
CBFC Rating : UA
Run-Time: 2 Hrs 36 Min
Release Date: 13-04-2022
Banner: Sun Pictures
Cast: Vijay, Pooja Hegde, Selvaraghavan Yogi Babu, Shine Tom Chako and others
Music: Anirudh Ravichander
Editing: Nirmal
Cinematography: Manoj Paramahamsa
Producers: Kalanithi Maran
Written and Directed by Nelson Dilipkumar
Story
Thalapathy Vijay plays Veeraraghavan, an ace ex-RAW field agent who is forced to deal with a mall hijack situation in Chennai. How he saves the civilians trapped in the mall and vanquishes a dreaded terrorist (whose gang is behind this hijacking) is the film’s basic story.
Performances
It’s a cakewalk for Vijay, who looks super stylish and fit as always. Be it action, dance, or his trademark dialog delivery, he is in terrific form. Director Selvaraghavan gets the main part, as the mediator in the hijack situation. His sly, sarcastic dialog delivery is entertaining.
The plethora of comedians didn’t provide much-needed fun; VTV Ganesh is comparatively in better form. Pooja Hegde makes a good pair with Vijay and rocks in the song sequences. She gets a few love scenes & fun portions during the mall hijack crisis. Pretty face Aparna Das also gets a few combination scenes with the lead pair in the mall portions.
Highlights
Thalapathy Vijay
Anirudh Ravichander’s Music & BGM
Songs on screen
Action Sequences
Manoj Paramahamsa’s Cinematography
Drawbacks
Comedy could have been better
Below par VFX
Over the top action at times
Analysis
The #HalamathiHabibo / #ArabicKuthu song is a major highlight in the early part of the film. The visuals totally live up to the immense hype created by the song’s massive success. Vijay sizzles with his dance moves & energy. The same can be said of the end credits song #JollyOGymkhana too. Choreographer Jani has given some fine moves to Thalapathy and the star totally unleashes his famed dancing skills and flexibility. Anirudh rocks with the above-mentioned two songs and also the new favorite #BeastMode number which is aptly used during the action scenes & hero elevation moments. The gun-shooting action scenes in the mall are impressive. Decent attempt with the skating action scene too. Good work by cinematographer Manoj Paramahamsa and stunt choreographer Anbariv. Obviously, VFX has been extensively used in the action scenes! The style quotient is very high in the action scenes, thanks to the way they’ve positioned Vijay. Fine work by art director Kiran with the grand East Coast Mall set, in which a majority of the film happens. Sun Pictures making values are lavish which makes the film looks stylish with superior quality.
On the flip side given that the Beast is Nelson’s film one expected a far funnier film. But, the film’s comedy meter is on & off. The laughs are few & far between. There are many dialogs in English and Hindi, which may turn off the local mass audience. Mass commercial films usually go over the top in action, and Beast also has its fair share of such exaggerated, unbelievable stunts.
Go in with minimal expectations and your tub of popcorn & cola; you may find Beast to be an adequately entertaining commercial mass action film packaged by director Nelson with all his Vijay fanboy pulse. The way he has used the famous Pokkiri punchline of the star is proof enough that this is a film made by a Vijay fan largely for Vijay fans.
Rating: 3/5
Bottom Line: Thalapathy Vijay’s Charismatic Beast Mode, With Full Of Swag & Style ..
