Review Overview
Performances
Screenplay and Direction
Technical Aspects and BGM
Moderately Watchable!
Sandakozhi 2 is a moderately watchable time-pass outing from director Lingusamy, whose last film Anjaan was panned by critics and audiences in 2014. Although the sequel lacks the punch and vigor of the first part, Sandakozhi 2 has its moments. Lingusamy's narration steers clear of over-the-top sequences barring a few exceptions here and there.
Cast: Vishal, Keerthy Suresh, Raj Kiran, Varalaxmi, Munishkanth, Ganja Karuppu & others
Cinematography: KA Sakthivel
Music: Yuvan Shankar Raja
Editing: KL Praveen
Stunts: Anal Arasu
Art Direction: V Selvakumar
Written & Directed by N Lingusamy
Release Date: 18-10-2018
Run Time: 02:29:00
Sandakozhi 2 is a moderately watchable time-pass outing from director Lingusamy, whose last film Anjaan was panned by critics and audiences in 2014. Although the sequel lacks the punch and vigor of the first part, Sandakozhi 2 has its moments. Lingusamy’s narration steers clear of over-the-top sequences barring a few exceptions here and there.
Balu (Vishal) and Durai Ayya (Rajkiran) vow to protect Anbu (Hari Krishnan), who is the last man from a clan, which Varalaxmi Sarathkumar avenges to destroy at all costs to exact retribution for the death of her husband.
The first half of the film showed real promise, and until the interval block, the proceedings were very engaging. The interval block twist, although a little contrived, looked good on screen and set the stage perfectly for the second half. Lingusamy has mounted the film on the backdrop of a week-long festival, which acts as the crux of the story. DOP Sakthi has shot the movie colorfully and utilized the shops in the festival to showcase his cinematography.
While Lingusamy has managed to hold the interest of audiences until the interval block with a lucid screenplay which paves enough space for action sequences, the second half falls completely flat with an interesting story-telling. The dragging second half is a huge let down in the movie, which ended up as a passable fare eventually.
Keerthy Suresh as Vishal love-interest has delivered one of her most entertaining roles. It would not be an overstatement to say that Keerthy’s performance was the major highlight in the first half alongside Yuvan Shankar’s excellent background score. Keerthy was a total livewire and brimmed with energy in each scene. Her bubbly screen presence was delightful to watch. It’s evident that she has thoroughly enjoyed her performance, and so does the audience. Be it the Madurai slang dialogues or the rocking dance moves to Yuvan’s foot-tapping folk themes, Keerthy was very impressive.
Vishal has delivered a subtle performance as Balu, and there is no exaggeration or annoying slo-mo shots to prove his stature in the film. Instead, Lingusamy has effectively used Vishal’s measured acting to create the right kind of tone and tension needed for the film. Rajkiran’s commanding screen presence was another good support for the filmmaker, who has made a good attempt at a comeback. Varalaxmi Sarathkumar puts up a remarkable show as Pechchi, the menacing antagonist, who excels with her mean-looking expressions and strong dialogue delivery.