R-O-B-O-D-A

I have never been that much of a Rajini fan as I have been of Mani Ratnam's but those two were my favourite tamil movie genre. I have grown out of both of them now, and to a large extent started even critiquing them. Mani Ratnam's movies probably dont feature in my top ten list of favourite movies anymore but still the excitement and mood both of them set off are a world apart. There is something in common. From the initial posters to the audio release and figuring out the story line we almost live with it until we watch it. Everyone is excited about it. It gives a feeling of oneness amongst tamils from California to Japan.

We watched a preview show at Cary town, which is relatively a "small tamil settlement". So every single tamil was present. From the gopuram restaurant owner to the random amway mama we keep bumping into was there. So the crowd was alive. Much needed for a rajini movie. The movie did not disappoint me. Like all other Rajini movies logic has to be kept aside. And to a certain extent the over analyzing husbands needed to be kept aside too. But if you let go, then the movie is a lot of fun.

The movie has brought out certain points very well. Simplistically well. Like how technology can be good and bad. How human beings are always dumped with emotions. That was the big message. I think Rajini has a knack of getting it through without muddling it up with God, details or Tsunami complications. Thats when it reaches.

Like all tamil movies, a one hour editing would have made it brilliant. It had the potential to become better than a Spielberg made sci-fi. A little under used resources and catered to suit commercial big hit.

I also missed watching it in Madras. The high pitched "Thalaivaaaaaaa" screaming and not being able to hear the first half of the movie is an experience in itself. Here everyone screamed and whistled for a while. Then they shut up. The crowd considered themselves too civilized to get up in a theatre and dance for Kilimanjaro or applaud when "Ivan per sonnathum perumai sonnathum kadalum kai thatum". Which I along with a couple of others did.

Now, rajini. Rajini was out of the world. He looked great and acted great. Who can believe that man? No words. The villain rajini brought out in between was brilliant. He is a great actor probably a little under used. The effects were again awesome. But probably over used. I did not think Aishwarya Rai or rajini's house needed to look like that. Most research labs dont look like that. But again when needed they did a great job.Some of the songs were filmed really well. Kilimanjaro, I heard was filmed in Peru. Its beautiful. Without A.R.Rahman's soundtrack Rajini's style or shankar's effects would not have been half as good. Aishwarya did her part of being a nothing more than a doll and a little annoying as usual. She is starting to show her age and hence made an excellent pair for rajini.

The movie had a simple story line for a complicated sci-fi subject, a little exaggerated effects and brilliant acting. It needed a little more editing (less masala?). But probably caters to every single tamilian to watch atleast one. But to me the whole movie was definitely worth watching - atleast twice. Both times for Rajini.

Verdict: Super hit

PS: There cant be any spoilers for the movie, except for some brilliant dialogues. So I will not go into them.