Vivekam - Movie Review

What’s it about!
AK (Ajith), an agent working for an international agency, goes on a mission to track down Natasha (Akshara Haasan), a computer hacker, who holds blueprint and code for a special weapon. He is expert in checkmating rival's movements and he can successfully complete any mission. He nabs Natasha but he is betrayed by his own gang in the agency. The friends who are working in the agency shoot at him. But he survives. Now he is mission is to kill the betrayers and also save his wife (Kajal) from them.

Analysis

After Superstar Rajinikanth, it is Ajith who has cult mass fan following in Tamilnadu. Hence his recent films are centering around his histrionics, his persona rather than the actual story. His fans wants "mass moments" and hero-elevating sequences and some punch dialogues. Director Siva who has already delivered two hits with Ajith has showcased the star in 'Vivekam' in a way that his fans can rejoice little caring about logic and story.

Ajith is invincible, he always survives, rises like a Phoenix. These dialogues are aimed for his fans but they do make little sense to the regular moviegoers.

'Vivekam' is more like result of grinding several Hollywood movies and TV series together - 'Bourne Identity', 'Who Am I?', 'Person Of Interest', The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo', etc. Getting inspired from them is okay but when inspired products turn into insipid ones then it is an issue.

The story is set in some Eastern Europe (Serbia and Slovenia). Ajith working for this agency as special agent is also established well despite the guys working in the agency act more like children playing computer games. The initial scenes, the first action episodes and spying games.. all have created good mood in the beginning. But as movie progresses it is clear that the writer and director have nothing much on hand to say more. The revealing of villains, the conflict, and rest of the drama... all are cliched.
 
As said the director has totally focussed on serving the hero's larger than life image than telling a riveting a story. The loud background score further spoils despite the rich visuals and high-standard technical values and hi-octane stunts.

The film definitely has best action stunts that are on par with international standards. The producers have invested money like anything to make it a visually grand but the content is totally hollow.

Ajith Kumar as agent is terrific, he has given his best. He is in form. Vivek Oberoi is a weak villain. Kajal Agarwal has looked quite beautiful. Akshara Haasan is okay. Karunakaran's comedy is typical Tamil-ish.

Cinematography by Vetri is top-class, he has shot action stunts superbly. The chasing episodes are excellent. Music by Anirudh is total letdown. Editing is uneven, despite flashy cuts, the narration drive is not consistent.

The film is written by Adi Narayana and Siva jointly but their writing is trite. As a director Siva has showcased his technical skills.

Bottom-line: Despite rich production values and superior visuals with high-octane stunts, 'Vivekam' falls flat with its insipid writing and boring narration. It defies logic too. A spy thriller with loud action, hardly any riveting moments.