Jailer movie review (2023)
Tiger Muthuvel Pandiyan (Rajinikanth), a retired prison warden, now leads a tranquil life as a family-oriented man. His days are filled with creating YouTube videos alongside his grandson, shopping for vegetables at the local market, and engaging in routine household tasks. However, his peaceful existence is shattered when his son (Vasanth Ravi), a dedicated police officer, goes missing while pursuing a notorious gang of idol thieves. Upon learning of his son’s presumed demise, Muthuvel’s wife (Ramya Krishnan) blames his principled upbringing for the tragic turn of events. Fueled by grief and anger, Muthuvel embarks on a mission to avenge his son’s death.
The film, spanning 2 hours and 40 minutes, takes its time to establish its narrative foundation. It’s not until after 40 minutes that the pace starts to quicken. Unlike the typical Rajinikanth film, which often features a grand entrance scene, this one takes a departure from that norm. This distinctive approach aligns with the director Nelson’s style. Nevertheless, the movie gains momentum through its interval sequence and the high-energy moments in the second half. Nelson, known for his previous work “Beast,” returns with his trademark filmmaking style, characterized by subtle dark humor in the initial half. Notably, the witty interactions between Yogi Babu and Rajinikanth in the first half provide comic relief. The second half builds tension effectively, particularly during segments that delve into Muthuvel’s past. However, the film loses some of its momentum and culminates in a prolonged and somewhat underwhelming climax.
Similar to several Rajinikanth films of the past, this movie occasionally sidesteps logic. The dark comedy flourishes in its native language (Tamil) and among viewers familiar with Nelson’s earlier works. Yet, the humor might not resonate as strongly when translated into other languages, as the film has been released in five languages.
The inclusion of cameo appearances by stars such as Shivarajkumar, Mohanlal, Jackie Shroff, Tamannaah Bhatia, Sunil, and Kishore adds to the overall star power. A particularly noteworthy climax features Shivarajkumar and Mohanlal, injecting much-needed drama and energy.
In “Jailer,” Rajinikanth is not just a hero; he’s a true superstar, and the film presents him as such. Fans are treated to several moments of quintessential Rajini charisma, tailor-made for applause. While the core of the story revolves around the father-son relationship, this aspect remains relatively underdeveloped. Emotional moments between the two are scarce, and the film relies on the audience’s assumption of their strong bond. It’s regrettable to see a talented actress like Ramya Krishnan not given substantial material to work with or emote. Vasanth Ravi maintains a single expression throughout the film, while Vinayakan delivers an impressive performance with his intense gaze. The film’s background score by composer Anirudh Ravichander adds depth to the viewing experience, although the songs tend to hover around the average mark.
Looking back at the 1999 film “Padayappa,” where Neelambari (Ramya Krishnan) compliments Rajini with the words, “Vayasanalum un style’um azhagum unna vittu pogala” (Even though you have aged, your style and charm have not abandoned you), these words still hold true for Rajini in “Jailer,” 24 years later. However, such charisma might not suffice to rescue this film from its shortcomings.
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