Cast: Soori, Suhas, Mahima Nambiar, Satyaraj, Mithun Jai Sankar, Ravindra Vijay
Crew:
Written by Mathimaran Pugazhendhi, Ameer Jamal Khan, R. Mohana Vasanthan, Thiral Sankar
Cinematography by S. R. Kathir
Music by G. V. Prakash Kumar
Editing by Pradeep E. Ragav
Direction by Mathimaran Pugazhendhi
Produced by Elred Kumar, Vetrimaaran (Creative Producer)
Soori has been delivering big hits in Tamil Cinema with films like Garudan, Maaman, Vidudala establishing himself as a leading man. Now, Suhas is making Tamil Cinema debut as an antagonist with Soori's Mandaadi. The film released with good anticipation as the movie is based on boat racing in Tamil fisherman communities. Mandaadi released today and let's discuss about the film in detail.
Plot:
Maari (Mithun Jai Sankar) tries to kill Sattapuli (Suhas)'s son when his father decides to anoint him as the captain of their team, Tsunami riders for upcoming boat racing competition. For 20 years, his team has been winning everywhere, helping his boat manufacturing company to prosper. Maari runs from his village to Muthukaali (Soori), who is working in a waterpark. Maari is the son of his ex-lover Angel (Mahima Nambiar) and her husband (Ravindra Vijay) is a close friend to Kaali.
Angel looks down upon Kaali as a cheat and coward but her husband believes he will save their son. When Sattapuli decides to attack both of them, Kaali chooses to return to the village after 20 years with Maari. He tries to bring both parties to a truce but Sattapuli challenges him to prove their worth on sea. Kaali decides to form his own team and get into the race. What happens next? Why Angel is so against Kaali? Watch the movie to know more.
Analysis:
Soori is good in the action sequences and he worked hard in mid-sea sequences. But his performance in emotional scenes and romantic portions is not up to the level he actually showed in previous films. There are not many comical scenes that really displays Soori's strengths. The writing for his character and scenes could have been much better as they do not really resonate with audiences giving important emotional connection.
Suhas in his debut is decent and as an antagonist he is good. But the writing is too bland for him to really shine. His character doesn't really leave an impact as the story feels too basic and predictable from his side. The friendship portions between Soori and Suhas needed to be developed even better for the things to give an emotional relatability. It all feels generically developed with low effort while the ideas are good enough.
Mahima Nambiar, Sathyaraj, Ravindra Vijay all give decent performances along with Mithun Jai Sankar but the real impact behind the scenes is missing in execution. As the things seem very common and regular for such stories, the screenplay needed to be strong and scenes needed to have that impact. Rather they are stitched together just like a regular commercial film and tick boxes being marked to get the structure.
The boat racing sequences are designed and executed well but the film seems to have concentrated more on them rather than developing the basic emotional core. So,we do not really feel the high the screenplay wants to give in the climax. It feels like a drag at places as even realism doesn't really shine through at places. The movie's main objective of presenting boat races is done well but with a stronger emotional core, it would really been an experience.
Technically, cinematography, execution in sea sequences, production design are credible and add value to the proceedings. But music by GV Prakash Kumar is a big let down for the film. BGM is forgettable as it fails to enhance the impact of any scene. Overall, Mandaadi only offers water based stunts and even they seem regular at places. With better writing and the similar effort behind narrating the screenplay in proper pacing, the movie would have been much better.
Positives:
Soori, Suhas performances
Soori vs Suhas scenes
Mandaadi Sea Boat racing sequences
VFX work
Camera work in sea sequences
Negatives:
Very basic story narrative
Regular screenplay
Lethargic Writing
Over dependency on Sea Boat racing sequences as USP
Lack of impactful emotions
Forgettable music and BGM
Impactless Execution
Bottomline: Movie lacks strong impact while sea sequences are shot well, the narrative feels too lethargic and predictable.
Rating: 2.5/5
Disclaimer: The views/opinions expressed in this review are personal views/opinions shared by the writer and organisation does not hold a liability to them. Viewers' discretion is advised before reacting to them.
