Coolie Movie Review: A letdown of a multi-starrer, saved only by Rajinikanth’s flashback scenes, Nagarjuna and Soubin Shahir

Thalaivar Rajinikanth’s most awaited film, Coolie, has officially released in theaters, helmed by Lokesh Kanagaraj. Check out the full review.

The most anticipated film of Thalaivar Rajinikanth, Coolie, helmed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, has finally released on big screens. Apart from Rajinikanth, the film features Akkineni Nagarjuna, Soubin Shahir, Upendra, Sathyaraj, Shruti Haasan and Bollywood industry’s Mr. Perfectionist, Aamir Khan. The plot is based on fierce and fearless porter who becomes a symbol of resistance against corrupt syndicate to avenge his friends death.

What is the storyline of Coolie?

Set against the backdrop of Chennai’s dockyards, Coolie follows Deva (Rajinikanth), a former porter who becomes entangled in a web of corruption and betrayal after the mysterious death of his friend Rajasekar (Sathyaraj), who creates electric cremation chair, which catches the attention of underworld don Simon (Nagarjuna). As Deva delves deeper, the narrative becomes convoluted, introducing multiple subplots and characters that dilute the central theme. The story’s ambition sounds evident, but its execution lacks coherence, which lead to disjointed viewing experience.

How were the performances?

Rajinikanth delivers a charismatic performance, especially in the flashback sequences that showcase his vintage style and energy. These moments are reminiscent of his earlier works and provide brief respite in an otherwise lackluster film, which somehow manages to show his larger-than-life presence.

Nagarjuna, portraying the antagonist Simon, brings a suave demeanor to his role. However, his character lacks depth, making his performance feel one-dimensional. Soubin Shahir, as Dhayalan, offers a nuanced performance, adding layers to his character that stand out amidst the ensemble. Upendra’s brief appearance is impactful, though his character’s potential remains underexplored and clearly signifies that he chose this script just for Rajinikanth.

Aamir Khan’s cameo as Dahaa is underwhelming. Despite the hype surrounding his appearance, the role feels inconsequential and fails to leave a lasting impression. His presence looks strong but unfortunately due to lack of potential it feels like a forced cameo. Shruti Haasan, as Preethi, yet again fails to deliver, despite having a strong character, while Rachitha Ram and Kanna Ravi leave a mark with their short yet effective roles. Sathyaraj’s character of Rajasekar seems like a push, just to introduce Deva’s menace and rage.

How were the songs and BGM?

Anirudh Ravichander’s background score is a highlight, infusing energy into key scenes and enhancing the film’s emotional beats. However, the songs, including “Chikithu Vibe” and “Monica,” feel out of place and disrupt the narrative flow. On the other hand, “I Am The Danger”, “Mobsta”, “Coolie Power House” and “Disco”, perfectly delves with the thematic representation of characters. The use of vintage track “Vaa Vaa Pakkam Vaa” from Thanga Magan, and “Loyola College Laila” from Kalloori Vaasal, makes you feel the vibe which perfectly delves with Rajinikanth’s vintage flashback and fight sequence.

How were the technical aspects of Coolie?

Girish Gangadharan’s cinematography captures the film’s gritty settings effectively, but lacks the visual innovation seen in Kanagaraj’s previous works like Vikram or Kaithi. Philomin Raj’s editing is inconsistent, with certain sequences feeling prolonged and others abruptly cut. What disappointed us more was action choreography in Coolie, directed by the acclaimed Anbariv duo, disappoints with its lack of freshness and impact. Despite big names and scale, the fight scenes feel repetitive, over-stylized, and emotionally flat.

Instead of enhancing the story, the action often drags, making it one of the film’s weakest aspects. Meanwhile, there is one sequence performed by Rachitha Ram, that feels compelling and makes you remember sequence of Agent Tina from Vikram.

Why Coolie is the weakest film of Lokesh Kanagaraj’s career?

Coolie stands out as weakest film in Lokesh Kanagaraj’s career primarily due to its lackluster storytelling and overambitious execution. Unlike his earlier films known for their gritty realism and tightly woven plots, Coolie suffers from a disjointed narrative that fails to emotionally engage the audience. The film’s overloaded ensemble cast results in underdeveloped characters, with even big names like Aamir Khan reduced to weak cameos. Lokesh’s signature style, sharp direction, grounded action, and intense drama is noticeably absent, replaced instead by excessive fan service and an overhyped money grabbing scheme.

Overall Verdict

Overall, Coolie aspires to be mass entertainer but is hindered by fragmented storyline and underdeveloped characters. The ensemble cast’s potential is largely untapped, and the narrative’s lack of focus detracts from the overall experience. It misses mark on multiple fronts, making it an unexpected misstep in Lokesh’s otherwise strong filmography.

Rating- 1/5