Wow, I guess the most talked about film of the Century to-date is finally here. I just viewed it in Michigan. What can I say, without being disrespectful to the Super Star, who has unfortunately been elevated to a comic book Super Hero status here, sad to say. Shivaji started off very promising (similar to Anniyan) in the first half. From the 2nd half onwards, everything in the film started getting over the top (the acting, the sets, the action, the CGI, the violence, the costumes). How it dragged on for 3 hours...!
Granted, this is a Rajini film and his fans want to see him in action, but it becomes over-the-top and hence distasteful...(sigh). How much CGI of the man in action will thrill us? Thank God, we had comedian extraordinaire Vivek to spice up moments. Truly, Vivek made the film very enjoyable. I am actually waiting for the day, film-makers in India will make a Vivek film. That will be the day....
The songs were good, I really enjoyed the Vaji Va song and it really got me going. Sahana was very melodious but Udit Narayan killed the lyrics! The rest of the songs were nice, but not memorable, very unlike Vidya Sagar's songs in Chandramukhi, which struck a chord in my heart instantly. The opening Rajini song....was not punchy enough. The lush and colourful sets and scenery were astoundingly beautiful. Well, whoever behind the camera has done his role extremely well.
If you are a true-blue Rajini fan, then watching this movie would be like going for a 40-course buffet! For the rest, you would be able to savour some nice moments here and there in the film but end up with an unpleasant feeling....
What disappointed me most was the message in the film, and how the Boss went about getting his deed done with brute force, violence, bloody revenge and tonnes of cash, literally....Bottom-line, his accomplishments and dreams were realised, but in a negative style. Yes, what a style...some style.
In conclusion, Shivaji conquers the bad guys and his fans and will be remembered as the most stylised Matrix-Bond-Robin Hood-Rajini-over-the-years film of Tamil Nadu and perhaps even India, but does not capture the heart...sorry Boss!