Movie: 2.0
Rating: 3.25/5
Banner: Lyca Productions
Cast: Rajinikanth, Akshay Kumar, Amy Jackson, Sudhanshu Pandey, Adil Hussain, Kalabhavan Shajohn and others
Story: Shankar S and Jayamohan
Music Director: A R Rahman
Cinematography: Nirav Shah
Editor: Anthony
Art: T Muthuraj
Produced by: A. Subaskaran
Screenplay and directed by: Shankar
Release date: Nov 29, 2018
Rajinikanth and Shankar's '2.0' is publicized as India’s highest budgeted movie (Rs 600 Cr). It is the most anticipated film of this year in India.
Let’s find out whether the film lives to all the hype.
Story:
In Chennai, all mobile phones fly out from the hands of the people. Government calls for high level meeting to understand the strange phenomenon.
Scientist Vaseekaran (Rajinikanth) proposes to the government to reboot the dismantled robot Chitti. Vaseekaran also finds out that a fifth force is the reason for this phenomenon and Chitti tries to stop the Pakshi Raja (Akshay Kumar) that is creating mayhem.
It is later revealed that Pakshi Raja is doing it to stop the radiation from cell towers that are killing birds. Pakshi Raja vows to root out all mobile phones on the earth.
How Chitti stops him forms the story.
Artistes’ Performances:
Superstar Rajinikanth in the role of Chitti the Robot provides ample entertainment in the final portions though his scientist role is very passive. Don’t expect Rajinikanth’s trademark mannerisms or punch dialogues, it offers one or two such moments in Chitti’s avatar. Rajinikanth as robot makes the moments livelier.
Akshay Kumar never completely appears in his true self but he has got a superb role as antagonist. His Pakshi Raja avatar is terrific. However, he gets not much screen time.
Amy Jackson as female robot is good; she provides some light moments. There is no romantic thread or songs in the film. Adili Hussain and Sudhanshu Pandey appear in brief characters.
Technical Excellence:
The film is shot with huge budget (Rs 600 Cr?) and all the graphical work is done by Hollywood companies. The visual effects are top notch. The graphics in stadium fight (last 20 minutes of the movie) are on par with Hollywood movies.
Watch: Exclusive 2.0 Movie Review
The film is completely driven by visuals. Nirav Shah’s camera work is excellent, one of the best works we have seen. Then there is good sound mixing.
Except for one background song, there are no songs in the film and Rahman’s background score is adequate. Production design (art work) is outstanding. Editing is neat.
Highlights:
Spectacular visual effects
Rajinikanth’s charisma
Akshay Kumar
Shankar’s direction
Drawback:
Weak Story
Analysis
Shankar is master at narrating stories with relevant messages. Even in “Robo”, he has included a strong message. In its sequel, “2.0”, Shankar has a topical message to deliver. Where have our sparrows gone, asks a character in the film.
The population of sparrows and other rare birds is diminishing as the radiation of cell towers is affecting them badly. This issue has become a hot topic among environmentalists. Shankar has chosen relevant topic to tell a sci-fi movie.
The film comes to the point without any fuss. Mobile phones from the hands of people fly out, people wonder what is happening and Pakshi Raja’s presence is revealed. But what is the main aim of this Pakshi Raja and what is his story?
Withholding this information till the interval, he holds the interest with racy screenplay. In the entire first half, the film focuses on disappearance of cell phones and the mayhem thereafter and introduction of scientist Vaseegaran.
Only towards the interval bang, the Chitti (robot) comes in dramatic way and the film turns into action mode. Entire first half is riveting and is told in the style of Hollywood movies.
Post-interval, the film reveals the backstory of why a professor of ornithology becomes (Akshay Kumar) Pakshi Raja and his real motive. This is narrated in typical Shankar’s style in moving manner.
Shankar later focuses on crowd-pleasing moments with the sequences of fight between Chitti and Pakshi Raja and Chitti turning into various avatars.
The film’s final portions are thoroughly entertaining with Chitti taking on Pakshi Raja. The final fight is a lengthy one but it is fun to watch with Rajini entering the scene as mini bot, 3.0. What works in the film is the message and its spectacular visual splendor.
Don't expect usual Rajinikanth mark mass moments and Shankar styled masala treatment from 2.0. It is an attempt to take our Indian cinema to the next level and 2.0 comes out in flying colors in achieving it.
Overall, “2.0” is one of its kind film that cannot be compared with any of the previous films made. It is unique and sets the bar high for upcoming Indian films with big ambitions.
Bottom-line: Chitti Bang