Kuruvi - The Movie Review

Summer heat has begun all over Tamil Nadu and to make it hotter, we have the hottest release of the season, Kuruvi. A perfect movie for your summer vacation, Kuruvi is a family entertainer with lots of mass and masala mixed to excite you in every frame you see.

Story: Vetrivel, a happy-go-lucky person living with his huge family in Chennai goes to Malaysia as “Kuruvi” along with his friend Ops(Vivek) to get a pending payment from Gocha(Suman) and clear off his family debts. There he finds himself betrayed and beats up Gocha’s henchmen. In the chase for Gocha, he ends up getting his sister Devi (Trisha) fall in love with him. Vetrivel and Ops return to India stealing a diamond from Gocha along with Devi who elopes in search of her Kuruvi. Gocha comes to India in search of the diamond, chases Vetrivel and finds him at last. Lots of hidden secrets get revealed about Gocha’s plans and the whereabouts of Vetrivel’s father who is considered as missing by the family. The rest of the film is about how Vetrivel wins over Gocha and his aides to save his father and how Trisha unites with her Kuruvi. (60%)

The Director’s seat: This is not Dharani’s movie definitely considering his track record in Tamil Cinema. The director, who holds his grip till the end of first half, loses control in the second half and the whole burden of the film falls on Vijay who has taken it successfully till the end. The story line is simple but as usual Dharani’s screenplay barring a few scenes has lifted it to the levels of an entertainer. Still, if Ghilli was a Dharani’s film ruled by Vijay, this is a Vijay’s film supported by Dharani. (50%)

The technical team: Gopinath’s camera takes us through this roller coaster ride so perfectly that the frames get registered in your mind as and when you see them. The camera work in Happy New Year and Pallanadhu songs deserve a special mention, so are the scenes shot in Malaysia and the rusty look maintained throughout the action packed second half. Maniraj’s art direction is picture perfect and the sets speak for his talents, even in the songs. Editing by VT Vijayan is brilliant but a few jerky scenes in second half could have been done well. This trio gives the film a very good look and feel. The visual effects however could have been done better, to be specific the rope fall scene in Malaysia and the jump scene before the interval. Vidhayasagar’s BGM score is a main highlight of the film giving each and every scene the perfect effect when watching on screen. Completely techno in Malaysian scenes, lovable in Vijay-Trisha romantic scenes, explosive in action scenes and so on, it changes your mood for every scene. Dialogues just pass the muster with a few punches but you will miss a punch like “Evlavo pannrom” or “Oru vaati mudivu pannita” (85%)

Action: The film has action too much over the top which is a main negative in few scenes. The club fight with theme music in the background and the chase scene after Pallanadhu song have been done well. But others especially the ones in second half are too much exaggerated may be with a reason to showcase the super hero power of Vijay. Even though Vijay has done his part in action well, the stunt composing could have been better as there is nothing new in the ideas. Above all, the too much exaggerated jump just before the interval is definitely not required, and there were so many ways to make Vijay run away from villains. (50%)

Songs: The songs which are already chartbusters become visual treats to watch and foils perfectly with the film. Short and sweet, they don’t distract the film’s flow very much. If choreography in Dandaana Darna and Mozha Mozhanu is outstanding, in Thaen Thaen it is soft and romantic. Pallanadhu is grandly shot and is situational while Happy New year is a treat for eyes. The theme music has been put to use very well in the Malaysian club fight. (100%)

Supporting cast: The villan gang consisting of Aasish Vidhayarthi and his new comer brother, and the guy who acts as Cudappah Raja have done their parts well. Suman as Gocha has done a better job than in Sivaji, surprisingly as a silent villan for the action filled second half. Saranya as Suman’s wife, Manivannan as Vijay’s father, the huge cast of Vijay’s family including T.K.Kala, Ilavarasu, the blind girl and the kid who comes as her brother have all provided very good supporting performances for the film. (90%)
Comedy: Vivek is one of the pillars of Kuruvi and his presence throughout the first half is a big advantage for the film. Perfect in timing, he does a brilliant job with Vijay to support him. Vijay who always has a good knack of comedy has a good sharing this time with Trisha who also does a good job. Scenes in Malaysia involving Vijay, Trisha and Vivek are a laugh riot and in second half Chitti Babu and Aashish Vidhyaarthi provide some lighter moments among serious scenes. (95%)

Trisha: The perfect commercial heroine for Vijay. Hot, glamorous and comic in the first half, cute and simple in second half, her vibrant acting, expressions and attitude wins your heart every time she appears onscreen. Her popular chemistry with Vijay works out very well in this film in all scenes and the songs, specially in “Thaen Thaen”. The Mask of Zorro style scenes between her and Vijay are a visual treat and kids are sure going to have a blast in these scenes. She fits the bill of Malaysian Tamil girl perfectly, though director could have given her some more footage in the second half. (85%)
Vijay: Time to talk about the super hero, the one man army, the messiah of Kuruvi – Ilayathalapathy Vijay. Without his unmatchable screen presence, comedy timing, power packed performance and the involvement and dedication he has shown, all the above said ratings will be of no use. For the whole first half, his restrained performance along with Vivek and Trisha wins our hearts. His dance in Dandaana Darna and Mozha Mozhanu songs, where he performs even the most difficult steps with utmost ease, yet again proves he is a gifted dancer. When the director has taken a side seat in second half, he has single handedly carried the whole episode successfully keeping audiences entertained. He has used his expressive eyes very well in this film. Even when other things fail, he has handled the situation with “Why fear when I am here” kind of attitude. Kuruvi is another feather in the cap of mass hero Vijay.(100%)

Positives:
1. Vijay the performer
2. Trisha’s presence
3. Songs and background score
4. Vivek and the supporting cast
5. Camera work and art direction

Negatives:
1. Some over the top and exaggerated action sequences
2. Poor visual effects in couple of scenes
3. Loss of director’s touch in second half

Rating: 8/10

Overall Verdict: The hottest summer entertainment from Vijay.