Release Date: October 19, 2023
Piktalk.com Rating: 3/5
Starring: Thalapathy Vijay, Sanjay Dutt, Trisha, Arjun, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Priya Anand, Mysskin, Mansoor Ali Khan, and others
Director: Lokesh Kanagaraj
Producer: Lalit Kumar
Music Director: Anirudh Ravichander
Cinematographers: Manoj Paramahamsa
Editor: Philomin Raj
Thalapathy Vijay, the reigning box office emperor, teams up with filmmaker Lokesh Kanagaraj in “Leo,” an action drama that has generated immense pre-release buzz. The film’s plot unfolds in Theog, Himachal Pradesh, where Parthiban (Thalapathy Vijay) runs a cafe with his family. However, a sudden attack on the cafe sets off a chain of events, drawing Parthiban into a web of danger. With the introduction of gangsters Antony Das (Sanjay Dutt) and Harold Das (Arjun), who believe Parthiban to be their family member Leo Das (Thalapathy Vijay), the narrative takes unexpected turns. The film explores Parthiban’s journey to escape this perilous situation and uncover the truth.
Plus Points: The first half of the film is engaging, with a deliberate pace that sets the stage for character development and introduces Parthiban’s world. The cafe fight scene and action sequences are expertly executed and showcase Vijay’s acting prowess. Vijay’s vulnerability and the first-hour action sequences are standout moments. The interval block sets the stage for an intriguing second half, and the film delivers strong action scenes and impressive cinematography. Trisha’s performance is notable, and the pre-climax and climax portions elevate the film. Fans of the Lokesh Cinematic Universe (LCU) will find moments to cheer about, with a surprise in store.
Minus Points: The film falters in the second half, where the narrative often slows down, impacting the film’s overall pace. The flashback segments suffer from weak writing, a surprising shortcoming from Lokesh Kanagaraj. Sanjay Dutt and Arjun, despite their stature, don’t make a substantial impact due to the underdeveloped characters. Supporting actors like Priya Anand lack substantial roles, and certain emotional scenes lack the desired impact. The film’s Telugu dubbing is fine, but the song choices, translation, and minor details like paper cuttings and photo engravings in Tamil detract from the Telugu version’s authenticity. The VFX quality varies throughout the film, from impressive in the hyena scene to subpar in the car chase sequence.
Technical Aspects: Anirudh Ravichander’s background score is effective in parts, but it doesn’t reach the heights of his previous works. The songs, due to poor translation, fail to leave a mark. Manoj Paramahamsa’s cinematography is outstanding, particularly in action sequences. The editing quality fluctuates between below-par in the second half and effective in the first hour. The VFX, notably in the hyena scene and car chase sequence, ranges from good to subpar. Lokesh Kanagaraj, the director, delivers a film that starts strong but loses momentum in the second half. While the story may be familiar, it’s the execution that matters, and Lokesh’s magic seems somewhat absent in “Leo.”
Verdict: “Leo” is an action entertainer that heavily relies on Thalapathy Vijay’s performance. While the first half maintains engagement despite its slow pace, the second half encounters issues with flashback segments and character design. The film holds appeal for franchise fans and leverages the star power of Vijay. However, the film doesn’t entirely live up to the high expectations set by Lokesh Kanagaraj’s previous works. The success of “Leo” at the box office depends on Vijay’s stardom and its place within the Lokesh Cinematic Universe.
Piktalk.com Rating: 3/5