Aug 21, 2003 01:31 PM
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(Updated Aug 21, 2003 01:31 PM)
There are loads of people who judge a book by its cover. By imaginatively titling his second venture - KAAKA KAAKA (KK) , Director Gautham wins the first round. After being delayed for a long time thanks to the budget going haywire and Kalaipuli Dhanu, the producer almost threatening to pull away, KK hit the screens on Aug 1 to tremendous hype and expectations. And judging by the magnificent opening it has received , pundits were quick to proclaim it a hit. But box office success should never cloud a reviewer's opinion so here I am..
Cop stories have always endeared themselves to Tamil audiences right from Rajinikanth's ALEX PANDIAN, Prabhu's AGNI NATCHATHIRAM to the recent Vikram's AARUCHAAMY ! But in between all these blockbusters , we have also seen some intelligently made cop movies like Kamal's VETRI VIZHA (So what if it was inspired by THE BOURNE IDENTITY) and KURUDHIPUNAL. It is in this latter category that KK falls.
The story deals with the lives of 4 officers in special duty (we call them encounter specialists) whose mission is to eliminate gangsters and rowdies controlling Chennai. Surya and his team manage to liquidate the gangsters only to find the brother of one of the deceased, Jeevan swearing revenge. Jyotika, a petite schoolteacher plays Surya's love interest who marries to become his wife. And the rest of the movie is a game of cat and mouse with losses on both sides.
After disappointing me personally with his ''old wine in an equally old bottle'' Minnale, Gautham redeems himself with KK. With a very simple yet captivating story, a ''hold on to your seat'' screenplay and intelligent, witty and striking dialogues, Gautham scores. The characterisations of Surya, Jyotika and Jeevan are neat and the romantic track, surprisingly in an action movie, is heartwarming.
Technically too KK is on very sound ground thanks to some amazing camerawork, slick action sequences and commendable audiography. Harris Jayraj's music is electrifying be it the opening UYIRIN UYIRAE or the sultry Ramya's THOOTHU VARUMA (Though I still cant fathom why it was placed in teh movie where it was)
The acting honours however go to SURYA who is mind blowing. He has put on weight and looks the part. He emotes with ease and his eyes speak a million words in quite a few sequences. Jyotika is subtly sexy and is a treat to watch while Jeevan puts in a decent performance.
On the flip side, since the movie has been shot realistically, it tends to become a little too grim. The ''traitor in the group'' theory is just too cliched and the style of story narration by an injured SURYA grates beyond a point.
On the whole, KK is paisa vasool and is totally worth the Rs 40 and popcorn ! The long wait was worth it !
