Review Overview
Performances
Story & Narration
Technical Aspects & Music
Entertainment guaranteed!
Maari 2 is full meals for Dhanush fans as the star in him takes over in full swing. The first half is twisted in the right ways, after which it surprises you with a unique turn and then gets back to 'mass' mode. Overall, a well-packaged family entertainer.
Cast: Dhanush, Sai Pallavi, Krishna, Tovino Thomas, Varalaxmi, Robo Shankar, Vinoth and others
Cinematography: Om Prakash
Music: Yuvan Shankar Raja
Editing: Prasanna GK
Stunts: Stunt Silva
Written & Directed by: Balaji Mohan
Produced by: Wunderbar Films
Release Date: 21-12-2018
Run Time: 02:30:00
Making sequels isn’t easy, because on most occasions, one has to find a way to make it better than the first part. But Maari’s path is different, and any director won’t have to try too hard to come up on the better side as the first part itself was pretty low on content and it’s deliverables, being just an accumulation of good comedy, cheer-worthy scenes and peppy music. In the sequel, Balaji Mohan puts in more brain and heart, making it a mostly engaging fare that is a treat for Dhanush fans.
Maari 2 is fit into the same space as the first in terms of its genre, but Balaji Mohan extends the timeline to a period of about ten years, with a lot of additional characters too. The first half of the film doesn’t let you move your eyes from the screen too much, as it is lively and entertaining on the whole. The stunts work very well, along with an efficient Dhanush and a superb Sai Pallavi who literally steals the attention away from D in the song sequences. In the second half however, the film traverses to something we didn’t see coming, and then returns to the ‘mass’ mode with the rousing bad-dad sequence. Thereafter, Maari 2 experiences a lot of dips and could have had a much better climax, but is still a fine entertainer on the whole.
This is one of Dhanush’s most entertaining outings in the mass space yet, bringing in an energetic performance that has a lot of shades. The star is required more than the actor here, but the latter still finds something to do in a couple of scenes. He exhibits great style in the fight sequences, especially the ones in the first half and an awesome transformation scene in the second. Sai Pallavi is an excellent addition to the film, giving it a tinge of color that the franchise never saw in the first part. Her strong performance in a commercial film could go on to become a reference point in the days to come. Krishna’s role however, is the weak link here while Tovino Thomas can now say that he has a good outing in Tamil.
Yuvan’s music and background score is a huge plus point to the film, with the songs working big time with the visuals. The BGM also shines with the Beeja theme, Maari’s scores and even little cues upping the ante of the film. Om Prakash also shows his class with his trademark dawn-dusk shots making a mark again.
Overall, Maari 2 is a neat commercial entertainer which works despite little dips in the second half. Balaji Mohan could have concentrated a little more on the third act with the climax staying on the midline, but still makes sure he doesn’t slip on the whole thanks to some well-staged mass and emotional moments. A fair and fun watch.