Review: Jailer
Nelson knows well that Superstar Rajinikanth is comfortable doing both comedy and action sequences and comes up with a story that has plenty of both. As a result, the film works like magic with Rajinikanth delivering a knock out performance after a long time
Film: Jailer
Director: Nelson
Produced by: Sun Pictures
Cast: Rajinikanth, Vinayakan, Vasanth Ravi, Yogi Babu, Mohan Lal, Shiva Rajkumar, Ramya Krishnan, Jackie Shroff, Master Rithvik, Mirnaa Menon, Sunil, VTV Ganesh, Aranthangi Nisha, Saravanan, Redin Kingsly and others.
Music: Anirudh
Cinematography: Vijay Kartik Kannan
Duration: 168 minutes
Rating: 3.5 stars
In Jailer, director Nelson delivers a proper commercial entertainer that works on all counts, much to the delight of fans and audiences alike.
The director, who uses his penchant for humour to good effect in the film, cleverly spins a story that is both funny and at the same time, heavy on action and intensity.
Nelson knows well that Superstar Rajinikanth is comfortable doing both comedy and action sequences and comes up with a story that has plenty of both. As a result, the film works like magic with Rajinikanth delivering a knock out performance after a long time.
The story in brief.
Muthuvel Pandian (Rajinikanth), who has retired from being a Jailer, is leading a peaceful retired life with his family, that includes his son Arjun (Vasanth Ravi) and grandson (Master Rithvik).
Pandian’s son Arjun too is an honest and courageous cop just like his father. Needless to say, Pandian is proud of his son and his fearless nature.
Things are peaceful until one day, Arjun investigates a particular case pertaining to stolen ancient idols. One thing leads to another and before long, Arjun finds out that a huge network is in place to steal precious and ancient idols.
The network is helmed by Varman (Vinayakan), a feared ruthless killer who will do anything to have his way.
Arjun takes into custody one of Varman’s men (Saravanan) for interrogation. A few days after this incident, Arjun goes missing.
Everybody in the police force knows the fate of the brave Arjun and who is responsible for it. However, everybody pretends to search for him. Eventually, the soft-spoken and gentle Pandian gets to know that his son has been killed.
His anguish turns into anger and at one point into rage, bringing out in him a facet that he had chosen to end while he was a cop.
Jailer Pandian turns into the man he once was and decides to kill Saravanan, believing him to be responsible for his son’s death. He succeeds. However, Saravanan’s death brings Varman directly in conflict with Pandian and an all out war erupts between the two. What happens then is what Jailer is all about.
Director Nelson seems to have carefully studied what Rajini does best and has carefully come up with a story with all those elements.
He takes into consideration the fact that he has an ageing star playing the lead role and cleverly fashions Rajini’s character in such a way that Tiger Muthuvel Pandian does not have too much to do in action sequences.
Take for instance, the fight sequence in the first half when a batch of four sharpshooters take sniper shots at a batch of intruders looking to murder Muthuvel Pandian and his family. The manner in which they neutralise the threat, with Rajini hardly having to lift a finger is just sensational.
Rajinikanth, after a long time, is in his elements and relishes playing Jailer Tiger Muthuvel Pandian.
On the technical front, music director Anirudh’s scintillating background score lifts the film’s intensity and makes it even more fun and entertaining.
Nelson’s trusted battery of comedians delivers again, this time, VTV Ganesh taking the top honours. Others who impress include Yogi Babu and Telugu actor Sunil.
However, if there has to be an actor who has to be picked for the finest performance in the film, it is undoubtedly Vinayakan, who plays Varman.
Vinayakan sets the tempo for the film with his brilliant intense acting, right at the beginning.
A host of top stars from several film industries across India make cameo appearances in the film. The most significant of these is from Kannada superstar Shiva Rajkumar. Malayalam superstar Mohanlal and Bollywood actor Jackie Shroff too impress.
Vijay Kartik Kannan’s visuals are just perfect and so is Nirmal’s editing.
In short, Nelson’s ‘Jailer’ is an engaging commercial entertainer that leaves you deeply satisfied by the time it ends.
