Filmy4wap : The Greatest of All Time (The GOAT) – A Review
Starring: Vijay, Meenakshi Chaudhary, Sneha, Laila, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Ajmal Ameer, Mohan
Director: Venkat Prabhu
Producers: Kalpathi S. Aghoram, Kalpathi S. Ganesh, Kalpathi S. Suresh
Music Director: Yuvan Shankar Raja
Cinematographer: Siddhartha Nuni
Editor: Venkat Raajen
Introduction:
Thalapathy Vijay’s much-anticipated movie, The Greatest of All Time (The GOAT), has hit theaters in both Tamil and Telugu. Released amidst high expectations, let’s delve into whether the film lives up to the hype.
Storyline:
The narrative follows Gandhi (Vijay), a top officer in the Special Anti-Terrorist Squad (SATS), who successfully wraps up a mission in Kenya by taking down a notorious terrorist, Menon (Mohan). Years later, while on another mission in Bangkok, Gandhi’s life takes a drastic turn when he finds his son, Jeevan (also Vijay), dead. However, to his astonishment, Gandhi encounters Jeevan alive in Russia years after his death. Upon their return home, a series of inexplicable events start to unravel, all involving SATS members. Gandhi sets out on a mission to uncover the truth. Is Jeevan really his son? Does he have any connection with Menon? These pressing questions drive the suspenseful core of the film.
Positives:
Vijay’s dual roles as Gandhi and Jeevan form the film’s backbone. His portrayal of Jeevan, the more villainous of the two, is intense, while his calm demeanor as Gandhi adds weight to the character. Vijay’s ability to juggle these contrasting personas is nothing short of impressive, and it’s undoubtedly the movie’s standout feature.
The supporting cast, including Prabhudeva, Jayaram, Prashanth, Mic Mohan, and Sneha, give decent performances in their limited screen time.
The film’s action sequences, especially the face-offs between the two Vijay characters, are choreographed well and keep the audience engaged. The climax, set against the backdrop of a live CSK cricket match, is designed to thrill fans, even though it stretches the film’s duration.
Negatives:
One of the primary shortcomings of The GOAT is its predictability. Despite director Venkat Prabhu’s efforts to claim an unpredictable screenplay, seasoned viewers may find the plot easy to foresee. A more innovative script could have elevated the overall experience.
The first half of the movie feels sluggish, with scenes dragging on, causing the narrative to lose pace. Although the second half brings some intensity with the face-off scenes, the film’s runtime remains a significant issue. Even with Vijay’s stellar performance, the story often feels unnecessarily prolonged.
Several plot holes, particularly during action scenes where the villains consistently miss their target, diminish the film’s credibility and are a recurring frustration.
Mohan’s portrayal of Menon, the primary antagonist, feels underdeveloped, leaving the character lacking in depth. Meenakshi Chaudhary is also underutilized, appearing only briefly in a few scenes and songs. While the surprise cameos by Trisha and Sivakarthikeyan add a bit of excitement, they contribute little to the plot.
The humor is inconsistent, and the end credits scene, resembling a sequence from a failed Hollywood film, adds little value.
Technical Aspects:
Venkat Prabhu’s direction and screenplay fail to bring freshness to the story, making it feel too conventional. The slow pacing in the first half and the overall length further detract from audience engagement.
Technically, the VFX team does a commendable job in de-aging Vijay, though other character versions sometimes appear awkward. Yuvan Shankar Raja’s music, surprisingly, leaves little impact, and many scenes, especially in the first half, could have been trimmed for a more concise narrative. The cinematography is adequate, and the production values are solid.
Verdict:
The Greatest of All Time (The GOAT) is a typical revenge-action drama that leans heavily on Vijay’s dynamic performance. His portrayal of both Gandhi and the sinister Jeevan, coupled with some well-executed action scenes, are the movie’s key strengths. However, the film struggles with its slow pacing, excessive runtime, and lack of originality. For casual viewers, these flaws might make it a tough watch, but Vijay’s dedicated fan base may still find it worthwhile.