Kochadaiiyaan

A commendable work of art packaged especially for the superstar.

Unsurprisingly, the brand name 'Rajini' has proved for the umpteenth time that his face value alone could carry a movie on his shoulders. 'Kochadaiiyaan' has embraced technology in the best possible way, not to forget this being the very first attempt. Looks like director Soundarya Rajinikanth Ashwin has the last laugh after all!

Kochadiiyaan succeeds not because of technology but because of the writing. The film is motion capture 3D computer-animated but the animation is primeval; both the motion capture and the texture of the visuals are closer to The Polar Express than Avatar or Tintin. The long shots aren't problematic but whenever the camera cuts to a close-up, we are drawn to the inanimate nature of the expressions. The characters feel like caricatures of the real-life actors we have known.

Kochadaiiyaan is an experiment in many ways, not in the least because it's a new way for Rajinikanth to entertain his ever-hungry fans. Has Soundarya pulled it off? Not quite. But it's still worth a watch if you'd like to see the Superstar immortalized in a way like he's never been before.

Conventional fans might find it a bit hard to worship their hero in this CGI avatar, but Kochadaiiyaan is a big bold step in opening new frontiers to film making, a step that deserves to be supported.

Kochadaiiyaan is ​​not the work of an amateur and I give Soundarya the credit for trying her hand in something so mid boggling as well as dangerous. The mere look at one of the exquisite war sequences​ convey the magnitude of her imagination, but the translation of the same into celluloid was half baked. Despite the story having a soul to it, the animation discrepancies suck it out from the film. IT doesn't have the quaff value of Avatar but for the thumping effort alone, I am giving this film a 2.5/5. Probably the sequel Rana will have that unprecedented quality I am looking for.

Hardcore Rajinikanth fans will enjoy the film once but the film lacks revisit option.

For all the technological risks that Soundarya has taken, the characters have come across as stiff. Moreover, their facial expressions alternate from cold to horrible. There is no life in the eyes either!

Kochadaiiyaan might have taken a small step towards introducing Avatar-like technology into our lives, but it's no giant leap. If you have blind faith and (obsessive) love for Rajinikanth and all things animation, you may enjoy this film. For others it may prove a battle to remain glued to your seats.

Though not up to the mark, this film has the capability to reach out the largest audience possible - all thanks to the presence of Rajinikanth. And for a country which still calls all animated films cartoon, Kochadaiiyaan could very well bring a change in perception.

Soundarya has stated in interviews that Kochadaiiyaan is her way to immortalize her father. Despite having two Rajinis in the film, she doesn't succeed as the revenge action drama the film never quite engrosses you.

Many parallels can be drawn between commercial Indian cinema and conventional superhero sagas. Its beauty lies in the fact that they are inherently cartoonish at heart, often at the cost of relatability, without being boring or animated. Unfortunately, Kochadaiiyaan is both, and even Rajinikanth's loyal fans will crave for the real thing.

Despite the lack of technical finesse, the filmmaker deserves to be applauded for taking a step towards innovation and change, and setting the ground work for 'Rana'.

Watch Kochadaiiyaan for the vivid motion capture technology and Rajini's tandav in the second half. But be warned, an overkill of patriotism, courage and friendship may leave you bored.