Technical snags can’t stop Rajinikanth from entertaining
Director: Soundarya Rajnikanth Ashwin
Cast: Rajinikanth, Deepika Padukone, Nasser and Jackie Shroff
So what was the need for a mega budget animated film with Superstar Rajinikanth in 3D ? As director Soundarya Ashwin Rajnikanth put in a pre – build movie scene is a tribute to 100 years of Indian cinema. It is an ode to possibly the biggest star of Indian films for the Indian film industry and fans. It is a mark of celebration to all that we have come to love and respect in our films. The proverbial icing on the cake , they have employed the technique of world class motion capture for this movie. It is the same technology used by the west while big ticket productions like Peter Jackson Hobbit and Avatar , James Cameron. Essentially this movie is trying to get on the same pedestal as Hollywood. But the proverbial gap reduction is a mammoth ambition . One in which even the god stumbles – as Rajinikanth .
To start comparing Kochadaiiyaan a Avatar or The Hobbit would not be fair . Not because there is a qualitative difference between us and the west. Because they are not the same type of movies. Cameron Jackson and movies or in the case of the recently released film Godzilla movies are all live action with CGI effects independent . Kochadaiiyaan is an animated movie style. It would be fair to compare with the likes of Tintin movie by Steven Spielberg. These are the kind of films you have to digitally create not only characters but locations , games , accessories and even clothing. And yet , you have to maintain the physical qualities of its actors. Semantics aside, after all comparisons Kochadaiiyaan not quite make the cut world class sucking . But it becomes one of the most interesting and detailed animated to leave our country movies. Its 3D is not only effective , but sometimes very exciting. The opening credits sequence is just outrageous.
But the aesthetic techniques are totally incompatible. Although the movement of the characters is very real , you really feel like Rajinikanth and Deepika Padukone are on the screen and not their digital renditions . There is something missing . The level of detail , the way the hair falls and flows , the detail in the background or in the way the second movements of the characters are portrayed seem an old generation. That sense of animation jaded Kochadaiiyaan really hurts. Wish I had been treated , this movie had all the features of a top of the line products. Still, there are some scenes that just make you Marvel. Scenes where Rajinikanth Tandav dance and the next fight sequence in an armada of boats are first class . Even the songs between Deepika and Rajinikanth show technical mastery at capturing nuances of real- life movement and body. Pity then the rest of the film is so amateur technique .
This is also a film Rajinikanth and if the past is anything to go by , reams of redundant logic can be left in front of the charisma of the star. But then there is a difference here . There is, technically , the real Rajni , but a mere digital incarnation. If it walks like a real man, talks like the real man, but it seems software product . It’s just not the same feeling. The same sense of underwhelm Deepika Padukone hits too. She looks lovely ethereal on the screen, but his avatar in Kochadaiiyaan is not as pretty as the real woman .
Despite the apparent differences that much of this film is about an Indian film par excellence. There are exotic dance numbers , music lost excellently designed by AR Rahman, exciting fights , the drama of revenge and Manmohan Desai style and themes found . If this were a normal masala movie , I would have to throw a handful of coins on the screen. It is a tired thought, but it also means entertainment old school and that’s what Kochadaiiyaan serves hearty .
If you are Rajni ‘s fan , you have a gift stored in the climax. There is also promise of a kickass sequel. All said and done , for best results, take everything with a pinch of salt .