Thuppaki big hit in America

By, N.THYAGARAJAN

Ilayathalapathi Vijay’s latest movie 'Thuppakki'  which was released in India for the Deepavali festival which fell on November 13, has opened big with premieres in 40 locations across USA. Now the USA is gripped with the thrilling magic of Thuppakki.

Vijay has fans throughout the world and this AR Murugadoss's first outing with Vijay had garnered huge expectations among fans.

 It is said, generally it's uncommon for people in USA to go for movies on week days. In spite of the film’s Monday premiere and with the last minute show time updates by US theatres due to print arrival and keys for digital prints, lots of fans were seen patiently waiting to watch the Thuppakki.  Sources said that Vijay’s fans waited for more than an hour for shows to start in places like Austin and Minneapolis.

ATMUS Entertainment, the distributor believes this will turn out to be the first big movie to be a blockbuster in 2012. In spite of date getting pushed from 9th (a weekend) to 13th, ATMUS still managed to release it in 52 screens with 40 premieres.

In Bentonville, Arkansas a second premiere show was added due to people turning up from neighbouring locations. For the records, this is a very small town where they screen only one show normally and the only other movie that required a second show was 'Billa-2' premiere. Here you can catch few glimpses of the excitement that happened during the Bentonville premiere - where the actor’s fans carried on the typical tradition of garlanding and Milk Abhishekam to Ilayathalapathy's banner!

AR Murgadoss has delivered a movie which fires on all cylinders. The director has made a complete entertainer that blends with Vijay’s mass image, thanks to his racy script. The cinematography of Santhosh Sivan and editing of Sreekar Prasad in seamless style score are added feathers in the well-ornate cap

Jagdish (Vijay), an army captain, is back in Mumbai for a holiday to be with his parents and two sisters. They want him to get married and finds a bride Nisha (Kajal Aggarwal) for him. After the usual bickering’s the couple fall in love. Meanwhile Jagadish an intelligence officer in the military has a mission to crack down on terrorist sleeper cells in Mumbai.

How Jagadish moving around as an ordinary person using his brain and brawn in the correct measure and tracking down the terrorist in his own unique way forms the rest of this escapist entertainer.

It is refreshing to note that this Vijay film is not an over-indulgent one-man showreel that plays to the gallery. One of the major plus points of the film is the stylish manner in which Vijay has portrayed his undercover military intelligence officer. Vijay has made the character believable though the character is on a ‘Mission Impossible’ trip.

Vidyut Jamwal as the villain is menacing and has done a superb job. One of the major reason why the film works is the villain is given his due by the director and is as brainy as the hero. The cat and mouse game played between Vijay and Vidyut makes the film tick.

One of the best scenes in the movie is how Vijay takes on a dozen sleeper cells single handedly and make it look convincing. The climax fight scene is also awesome as he confronts the villain for the first time. Kajal Aggarwal looks good and her romantic scene with Vijay is warm and fuzzy. Sathyan as a cop is adequate as Vijay’s friend while Jayaram as his senior officer in the army is a scream. The comedy scenes are hilarious and forms part of the narration.

A big thumbs-up for composer Harris Jayaraj as he has delivered some peppy music and great background score that moves with the theme. The ‘Google Google’ song is the pick of the lot.

Santosh Sivan has made the film in digital and the way he has shot Mumbai’s never-seen-before locations and the overall look'n' feel of it, is fantastic. Sreekar Prasad’s fast –cut editing in action scenes stands out and give it an air of realism.

Hats off to AR Murgadoss for coming out with a film that not only entertains but is sensible and technically outstanding. Refreshingly original and visually inventive, this film works on many levels and is likely to appeal to one and all. Blame it on the clever screenplay and slick packaging, Thuppakki is a perfect Diwali entertainer.

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