Superstar movie - first day. That is very special anywhere. To my utter surprise even the Panaji Inox was almost full for the 11:15PM Robot (not Endhiran).
Coming out at around 2:30 AM into Gandhi Jayanthi I find myself quite puzzled and disappointed. I miss Baasha (Tamil/1995/Suresh Krissna starring Rajni) and Indian (Tamil/1996/Shankar) days. No doubt Robot is a technological marvel and exhibits the homegrown talent in an impressive way yet and is definitely worth a watch.Hats off to Shankar and team for that...but wait a minute, where is the Superstar? Where is Indian Shankar?
Amidst a loose script, world-class graphics, the usual compulsions of an Indian commercial cinema and above all the huge responsibility of proving a point to the world - we lose the Superstar; And Shankar too. Superstar has done a very decent performance as Dr.Vasi and of course quite a great role as the robot Chitti. He has carried the movie skilfully and with ease. Superstar's acting talents are explored once again after a long time. Kudos! But soon the Superstar is engulfed in a maze of computer graphics to the extent that even I felt a little suffocated towards the climax that looked like a kaleidoscope where miniature toy Superstars in black goggles had replaced the usual broken pieces of colourful glass bangles. See it to believe it...King Kong, Anaconda, Godzilla, Globe, Cylinder, Spiral, Drilling bore...you name it you have it!
Director sir, your movies stand out for their taut scripts. (Thanks to the late writer Sujata too). Be it the all-time classic Indian or Muthalvan or the latest Sivaji the script plays a key role in your movies. Though thrilling at places like the hospital delivery sequence or the fire accident pages, Robot's screenplay is much below average and we know it from the "Not again!" murmurs for some songs. They just pop out of nowhere. Further, one vital ingredient in your usual movie recipe is the songs picturisation. Be it Chiku Bukku... (Gentleman, 1993) or Mukkala Mukabla (Kadhalan, 1994), Andankaka Kondakkaari (Anniyan, 2005) you have excelled in this arena. But here all the second half songs look the same with lots of people dressed up in aluminium foils dancing in a tech background. Even the song with full of Superstars was not exactly palatable.
And what was that mosquito sequence in name of humour? Comedy is another area where Shankar-Rajni had done really well so far...but now they seem to have dumped that. Karunas and Santhanam are used a little more than as props. It is a disaster.
Rajni is one of the best villians that Tamil cinema had ever-seen and the movie fails in the attempt to capitalise on that. Robot Rajni is a commendable performance by the Superstar but as you will see the technology and imagination that has run wild, take over from the Superstar. The movie as a whole could not give the high that motta boss Rajni gave in Sivaji in just about 30 minutes. I had that as the base level for Endhiran. I was asking for disappointment.
I liked the movie's plot and am just awed by the kind of efforts that has gone into making it. Robot will probably go down as a highly successful box-office piece and might make the world take a closer look at Tamil cinema, but when will the glorious days of Baasha or Indian return?
(PS: I guess the Tamil version will be a tad better with the Superstar's own voice)
11 comments:
Thats where the triumph of Avtaar lies..... the technology was never allowed to overshadow the drama
Spot on review Palli
Even the packaging wasn't upto the mark, the lab was a very ordinary effort.
Ash is slowly becoming a kelavi and was trying to hog more of the space which was slightly irritating.In terms of ROI I doubt if this would outsmart Sivaji
)thanks machi
..True!
robot is a kinda movie v just have 2 watch in awe considering the indian standards,its more of a film to see rather than feel or think or in some way getting connected to it coz its al bout a humanoid not a human:)
Good review... I had similar disappointments after watching the movie. Probably this movie paves way for Rajni to shun his punch dialogues and take up roles that suit his age and let the younger generation to take over. Shankar has tried to come out of his traditional superhero plots based on vengeance and taking up the society cause (Obviously I don't agree with his earlier plots - killing someone because he has taken bribes to do his job (Indian) or killing someone because he didn't help a dying man (Anniyan)) So, definitely this is a big move for both of them in terms of their career milestones. so, let's see if they can capitalise on this investment!
@ifheroz:
:) yes..
@Vel:
Thanks:) but the whole question is why shud superstar change? While, of course, there is a need for him to be updated/contemporary.. there is no real need for him to change/ transform. In that way i really enjoyed Motta Boss in Sivaji.. he shud do more such roles.
Superstar is like a 007. The concept remains same. People love 007 for decades for the style, action, traditional superhero villain plot. There have been 20+ 007 films and the concept still sells. But the actor keeps changing. Superstar is very similar to 007. Many have been trying to model themselves on the Superstar image. The younger generation starting from Vijay to Simbu - everyone wants to become one. Definitely credit goes to Rajni for establishing the image and trend and he is immortal in Indian cinema. But it's time to move on and admit the fact that he is 60+ now and should choose to follow the footsteps of Amitabh and Sivaji.
Muthu!!
In a way I am with you in the analogy.. I too was saying smthg similar to this to a friend here!
Can't resist but to jump into this discussion; Interesting thoughts, here is my take..I feel 007 had it easier because the brand right from the start was a character..but even there dont we feel the difference when Sean and Pierce ruled the roost compared with Daniel.
In Rajini's case it will be more difficult as he has made the character mighty big with his personality and charisma;Difficult to emulate and a very risky path - remember the fate of Simbu, even Vijay currently, and even Bharath (with a very forgettable Palani)
Societal imbalances and Recessions are always due when a Hero reigns beyond retirement age. Akbar, Aurangazeb, Australian cricket team are some examples. We just need the space to be free. As history has taught us, a hero evolves with time:)
For the Tamil Version.
Anna basically the start itself it starts as Kalanithi maran SUNpictures presents not Super Start Rajini in ....
that itself make the difference..
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