Vikram - Movie Review

Lokesh Kanagaraj has created a separate fanbase for himself with Sundeep Kishan's "Maanagaram" and Karthi's "Khaidi". Khadidi especially was a terrific action thriller based on one night. After that he made "Master" with Vijay which was a commercial success, though it didn't completely look like a Lokesh Kanagaraj movie. Now he has joined hands with Ulaganayagan Kamal Haasan and terrific performers Vijay Sethupathi and Fahad Faasil for #Vikram. 

Story :- A drug consignment of Santhanam (Vijay Sethupathi) worth crores goes missing from Port one night. He starts searching for it and goes on a killing spree whomever he thinks were behind it. The next day, an undercover cop gets killed by few masked men and the video of it will be sent to police department. After the death of this cop, his father Karnan (Kamal Haasan), gets addicted to alcohol, drugs, etc..instead of taking care of his daughter-in-law and grandson. Meanwhile, few more killings happen in the city by the masked men and in that process Karnan also gets killed. To investigate these murders, a special team headed by Amar (Fahad Faasil) is appointed. Through the investigations, Amar unfolds few mysteries about Karnan. Who is Karnan and why is he killed? Who are these masked men and did Santhanam find his consignment? Who is Vikram forms the rest of the story. 

Performances :- Fahad Faasil as a sincere and serious cop is apt. He has more screen space throughout the movie compared to Kamal and Vijay. Vijay Sethupathi as a menacing villain is terrific. His body language, nuances and performance is top notch. Kamal Haasan still has the old charisma and his eyes speak a lot. He's stylish, Uber cool and did well in the action episodes. After the death of SPB, Kamal has done how own Telugu dubbing and it looked original and authentic. Remaining actors did a good job within the space and as per the demand of story. The cameo of Suriya in the end is mind blowing. His get up, dialogue delivery and premise is superb.

Technicians :- Background score and songs are intense and engaging, credit to Anirudh. Costumes are completely in the lines of grey and dull, to suit the mood and interest of the director. Majority part of the movie is either in night or in dark place like basement, closed rooms etc., which is Lokesh Kanagaraj's favourite frame. Cinematography and lighting should be appreciated to still show us the faces within the limitations of night and darkness. Stunts were stylish, sleek and huge. Lokesh Kanagaraj has excelled in all the departments be it the story, screenplay, characterization, action episodes and extracting the performances from a stellar star cast. Had the run-time is a little less and editing had been more crispier, movie had been a masterpiece. 

Positives :-

Story & Action episodes

Stellar casting and splendid performances

Background score

Negatives :-

Slow narration and lengthy

Not edge of the seat thriller like Khaidi

Summary :-

Vintage Kamal Haasan is back with an action thriller in the combination of 2 finest actors Vijay and Fahad. If could bear the slow narration and length, you must give it a try. My favourite episode was "Agent Tina", Background score and the action episode following it is highlight. 

Rating - 3/5. Vikram is for action and Lokesh Kanagaraj movie lovers