Coolie

Coolie

Rating - 3.25/5

A usual Thalaivar movie elevated with Anirudh's BGM's.

The story moves through the life of an undercover Coolie unveiling to dig his pals death finds out there is an involvement of a gold-organ nexus behind it and how he avenges them forms the base for the story.

Lokesh and Chandru has scripted a cliche action packed revenge story for the Thalaivar fans to celebrate in theatres. It is a very good move by Lokesh to keep this as a standalone film away from LCU just as a tribute to Thalaivar.

Good performance by Thalaivar in the epic action sequences choreographer by Anbariv and has nailed it. Aamir Khan's presence just added to elevating the climax sequences but the final portions turned out to be a bit comical. Stunning performances from Soubin & Nagarjuna shouldering their character in the right wavelength. Good performance from Satyaraj & Shruthi,who carried her emotionally strong and matured character.

Stellar filming by Girish Gangadharan moving with the action sequences chopped into a flavourful entertainer by Philomin Raj added with Anirudh's groovy BGM's is a perfect treat to the fans.

A watchable movie in big screens for Thalaivar fans ruling out the cliche story.

In the last few years Lokesh Kanagaraj has distinguished himself among South Indian directors by consistently delivering engaging screenplays that showcase the stars in the best way possible. His films have successfully leveraged the charisma and star power of leading actors, presenting them in roles that resonate with audiences while maintaining his signature narrative style. When he announced his collaboration with Rajinikanth for Coolie along with some of the big stars from South India film industry the hype level was off the charts. Paired with some of the very cool sounding Powerhouse tracks and music from Anirudh the movie comes bearing with a lot of expectations.

I usually touch upon the actors and characters in the later part of my review but I want to flip the script (no pun intended) this time. The core of Coolie lies in the characterization of its actors and how well their arc turns out to be. Nagarjuna as Simon has the style, swag and also a depth to his character. It was very good to see Nagarjuna in a strong role after his dull portrayals in the recent films (yes it wasn't really great in Kuberaa as well). Soubin Shahir suits the maniacal character Dayal perfectly and also seems like he is having very much fun playing that. His energy and steps in the dance for the Monica song is a treat to watch. Shruthi Hassan's character is written very practically and she is very pleasing to watch with her simple portrayal. Shruthi Hassan's portrayal of the character is notably grounded and direct, and she delivers an engaging performance. While Sathyaraj's role seems very significant at times, it could have been explored better. Kannada superstar Upendra's aura and talent are used to perfection from Lokesh Kanagaraj even with the limited screentime. Even the Kannada directors have not portrayed Upendra with such a compelling and widely appealing characterization in recent years. Aamir Khan's cameo, while entertaining, does not fully integrate with the film's narrative. There are some other really good and surprising characters but I cannot really go too much into the details without the spoilers. Finally, the one and only thalaivar, superstar Rajinikanth gets another well written character suiting his age and aura after Jailer (which was never in doubt considering Lokesh's track record). The simple and unassuming styling of Rajini's character works really well for the movie. But the insufficient use of the film's main background theme music and the hurried flashback scenes detracts from delivering the full Rajini experience many of us anticipated, especially after the promotions.

Lokesh Kanagraj's movies have had their own flaws despite delivering some very good entertainment and some memorable sequences. Coolie is nowhere near perfect and mainly suffers from the burden of balancing too many characters. The story which starts off as an investigative thriller turns a bit haywire in the second half and too many twists and turns affect the flow of the movie. While some twists are fun to watch, others seem a bit jarring. While the flashback and Rajinikanth's backstory generate considerable buzz around the interval, their connection to the main narrative isn't effectively showcased. The cinematography is alright and isn't really out of the world. The action sequences are choreographed to suit Rajini's age and style but could have had a bit more Rajiniism to it. I say this because the action sequences are not necessarily grounded and practical unlike other Lokesh's movies. The editing is a bit choppy at times with not so great scene transitions. Anirudh definitely shines amongst the technical department with some unique and fun background score but leaves the fans a little on the edge with the Powerhouse theme placement. Anirudh's background score is super unique and enjoyable - it's definitely a technical standout. But, the Powerhouse theme's usage may not be satisfying enough for all the fans.

Coolie is definitely a unique and memorable film in Rajinikanth's cinematography. With Lokesh Kanagaraj setting high standards for himself the movie somewhat leaves you with an incomplete feeling.

Watched Coolie today, and as a long-time Rajinikanth fan, I can say one thing right away this is a treat for anyone who loves his signature style and screen presence. From the very first scene, you know you're in for that trademark Rajni charisma the walk, the punchlines, the larger-than-life action. The man still knows how to hold the screen like no one else.

The film packs plenty of those "whistle" moments. The theatre crowd was electric cheering, clapping, and even shouting punch dialogues along with him. Honestly, the energy inside was so infectious that even during a few predictable stretches, you never felt bored. This is one of those movies where the audience becomes part of the entertainment.

Action sequences are vintage Rajni exaggerated in the best way possible. He throws in his usual mix of swag, charm, and sharp timing, making sure fans get exactly what they came for. The cinematography and background score definitely add to the larger-than-life feel. You get the sense that more depth in the writing could have turned this into a truly memorable outing rather than just a fun ride. Still, the pacing is fast enough that you rarely have time to dwell on these shortcomings.

In short, Coolie is pure Rajni-style mass entertainment - a festival in the theatre. If you're a fan, this is a must-watch just for the joy of experiencing him on the big screen again. If you're not... well, the crowd might just convert you.

As a fan of Rajini, I thoroughly enjoyed his screen presence and energy throughout the movie. Nagarjuna's negative role was outstanding, especially in the opening sequences, adding a strong impact to the story. Shruti delivered a solid performance, and the background music was excellent, perfectly complementing the mood and action. The second half, however, felt a bit stretched, and Upendra's role could have been utilized better. Aamir's cameo added to the excitement. Overall, a good entertainer with memorable performances and powerful moments.

Good and full enjoyment.is a mass entertainer powered by Rajinikanth's vintage swagger, Anirudh's thumping score, and a star-studded cast including Nagarjuna, Shruti Haasan, and Aamir Khan. While fans praise its style, action, and music, critics note uneven pacing and a weak second half. A treat for Rajini fans, though narrative depth takes a back seat.