Finding fault with the graphics, makeup and other finer details of this film, is like Kamal Haasan (KH) trying to show us the beauty of the bright full moon by pointing at it with his finger and we, the ignorant ones, instead of soaking in the beauty of the moon, telling him:"Look! your finger has a big, ugly wart on it".
This movie does not deserve a 9/10 or a 10/10 overall (though for its innovativeness it does),but whoever has rated this movie anything less than 8, have merely found faults with its finer details only and not with the intention. Yes, this movie is faulty on the technical side. On the brighter side: at least this Indian movie dares to enter the unchartered waters of technicality. Movies are meant to be serious, some are comic, some happen to be entertaining and some turn to be eye-opening. This movie can be classified in the last three types that I mentioned just now.
I am a Maharastrian and unfortunately, don't understand a single word of any of the South Indian languages. But Humans don't need Languages to communicate intelligence and wisdom. And KH is both Intelligent and Wise. I am yet to watch the movies of KH, they call 'masterpieces' in the South, but I have watched a lot of his Hindi movies,commercial as well as off-the-track ones. Without exaggerating a bit , The Best Movie of India ever made till date is 'Hey Ram (2000)' followed by Swades(2004). You have to watch these to believe these. As for this movie: I, myself, don't believe in God, - for me, it's the usual 'Science versus Religion' conflict - but I do believe in the good intentions, good nature and common sense of any human being, even if he/she is a high priest of any temple. I loved every bit of word of what this guy, 'sivausa' has said about this movie. Everyone should read what he has to say about this movie. That's the whole summary of the movie. KH's all 10 performances varied from good to great, most of them great.The most entertaining of them being undoubtedly the characters of the Intelligence officer, Balaram Naidu and THE George Bush.
As a Science Professional (I'm a software engineer), I know and understand the Chaos Theory, though not every bit of it (it's deep) and love every little deed done towards understanding any phenomenon of Science. KH has done his bit in an entertaining, hilarious and a comic way and may be hopefully more movies of the revolutionary type will come from him. The Best Scientific Movie ever made till date is the Steven Spielberg's no-nonsense 'Artificial Intelligence (2001)'. And so some ignorant people will definitely laugh at KH for his efforts on movies like this one or the great movie 'Hey Ram (2000)'. But for me, what matters is the intention behind any efforts irrespective of the output at the box-office. And in this movie, even the output was great and hilarious. The direction-overall and the 'Butterfly effect'-in specific, definitely HAS to be KH's genius idea, even though director named in the credits is somebody else. That's what usually happens with great actors like a KH, Amir Khan or a Denzel Washington. They dominate the captain of the ship, the Director. And yes,... they also make for good Directors themselves. KH has tried to highlight through this movie, some major issues that haunt the world and India in particular: Caste, creed, religion, environment, politics and the biggest of them - GOD. This movie is both informative as well as entertaining. So I suggest, don't take it seriously where it is not supposed to be. Here, I am talking of the comic storyline or rather how many times KH's character loses the Vial throughout the journey. If somebody does want to attack the plot/storyline here, I would rather recommend him/her to go and watch more serious movies like 'Hey Ram(2000)', 'Schindler's List(1993)', 'The Godfather(1972-90)' or 'Artificial Intelligence(2001)' instead and dare challenge their plots there if possible.
Asin's performance was over the top and torturous sometimes but OK overall.
Reshamiya's tunes in some songs like the opening song of the Vishnu worshiper-priest/ 'Mukunda-Mukunda'/ the Pop singer's stage song, I did find to be catchy, even though I am not a fan of Himesh.
I have seen better storyline(Hey Ram(2000),'Artificial Intelligence (2001)',...long list). I have experienced better special effects('AI(2001)' again or Jurassic Park(1993), The Matrix(1999), Death Becomes Her (1992),...long list). I have observed better stunts (Any Jackie Chan / Bruce Lee movie). I watched better makeup(Star Wars(1977),Lord of the Rings(2001),Monster(2003),...many more).But still I would rate this movie no less than a full 8/10, only because of a talented KH's truly pure and great intention in making this movie.
KH is truly up there with the world's best actors, script-writers and directors.
...And yes, Kamal Haasan truly came very near to enacting a role every hot-blooded guy dreams of playing - a ruthless Schwarzenegger-style bad Terminator (as in Part One).
I also recommend viewers to watch 'The Da Vinci Code(2006)' and Swades(2004).
