Review: Leo
Release Date: October 19, 2023
Starring: Thalapathy Vijay, Sanjay Dutt, Trisha, Arjun, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Priya Anand, Mysskin, Mansoor Ali Khan, and others
Director: Lokesh Kanagaraj
Producers: Lalit Kumar
Music Director: Anirudh Ravichander
Cinematographer: Manoj Paramahamsa
Editor: Philomin Raj
Banner: Seven Screen Studio
Related Links: Trailer
Box office emperor Thalapathy Vijay joined forces with sensational filmmaker Lokesh Kanagaraj for the action drama, Leo. The film has been making noise since its announcement and its hype reached unprecedented levels now. The advance bookings have indicated that Leo will create a pandemonium at the ticket windows. Let’s see if this much-hyped film lived up to the expectations or not.
Plot:
Parthiban (Thalapathy Vijay) leads a peaceful life running a cafe in Theog, Himachal Pradesh, with his wife Satya (Trisha) and their two children. However, when his cafe is threatened by goons and his family’s safety is jeopardized, Parthiban is forced to take drastic action. His life takes a complicated turn when gangsters Antony Das (Sanjay Dutt) and Harold Das (Arjun) enter the scene, believing that Parthiban is their family member, Leo Das (Thalapathy Vijay). The film delves into Leo Das’s identity, the challenges Parthiban faces, and how he navigates through the chaos.
Thumbs Up:
- Engaging storyline.
- Thalapathy Vijay delivers a remarkable performance as Leo.
- Impressive action sequences and cinematography.
- Endearing characters.
- Well-executed action scenes.
- Anirudh’s musical score enhances both action and emotional moments.
Thumbs Down:
- The pacing slows down post-intermission with a lack of story development.
- The second half’s writing could be more captivating.
- Sanjay Dutt and Arjun’s performances leave room for improvement.
- The Telugu dubbing is acceptable, but the “Naa Ready” song disappoints.
Analysis:
While Anirudh’s background score has its moments, it doesn’t reach the heights of his previous works in films like Master and Vikram. The songs fail to leave a lasting impression, mainly due to subpar translations. Manoj Paramahamsa’s cinematography stands out, particularly in an action sequence during the flashback. Editing quality varies between below-par in the second half and effective in the first hour. The VFX excels in certain scenes, like the hyena sequence, but falters in the car chase sequence, appearing somewhat cartoonish.
Director Lokesh Kanagaraj, known for his previous successes, delivers a decent performance with Leo. The first half is engaging, but the second half fails to maintain the same momentum. While the plot may seem familiar, it’s the execution that counts. Unfortunately, Leo doesn’t fully meet the high expectations set by Lokesh, offering a somewhat mediocre result.
Verdict:
Leo primarily relies on Thalapathy Vijay’s performance as an action entertainer. The first half, despite slower pacing, manages to engage the audience. However, the film encounters challenges in the second half, featuring flashback sequences and underdeveloped characters. Leo contributes to the LCU and has moments for franchise enthusiasts to savor. However, it falls short of Lokesh Kanagaraj’s usual magic, with the film’s box office success hinging on Vijay’s stardom and the LCU factor.
MovieMoghal Rating: 2.5/5
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