Writer: Ramesh

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Watch this if you liked: "Gemini", "Dhool", "Ghilli"

Pokkiri is a power packed mass masala entertainer. If you are looking out for some fun and entertainment then the Prabhu Deva and Vijay combo is sure to make your day. A thrill-a-minute is the calling card of this unpretentious film, which plays to the gallery. With superbly choreographed action and song sequences, a fast moving storyline laced with Vadivelu''s comedy, romance and subtle sentiments - this is a festival treat.

Don''t expect any surprises in the plot or treatment. It is a faithful remake of the Telugu film "Pokiri", which was copied from the Hollywood gangster thriller "Dannie Brasco" featuring Johnny Depp and Al Pacino.

Tamizh(Vijay) is a ruthless, fearless hit man in Chennai underworld. He climbs the mafia ladder much to the dislike of other members in the gang. But he has some principles in the job, as he never does any harm to ladies or children. He sees Sruthi (Asin) an aerobic teacher and falls for her.

Tamizh rubs the local mafia chief Guru who controls the city the wrong way and kills him. Now the mastermind of all crimes, the international don Ali Bhai (Prakah Raj) lands up in the city and appoints Tamizh as the new chief. Now the big twist is that Tamizh is none other than Satyamoorthy IPS who has infiltrated the gang to clean up the city of its gangsters.

All this leads to a riveting climax when City Police Commissioner''s (Napolean) daughter is kidnapped and Satyamoorthy becomes the one-man-army who takes on Ali Bhai and his entire gang. What happens next and how the Thamizh nails the coffin for Ali Bhai and his men form the climax. What makes "Pokkiri" tick is that the story uses all the characters as restless, unbelievable pawns in a do-or-die chess game. To Prabhu Deva''s credit, he keeps the tempo running besides making use of Vijay''s immense screen presence and comedic timing.

Nirav Shah and editor Kola Bhaskar has used a techno-pop-style for the first time in a mass masala Vijay film that gives it the extra edge. The romance in the lift and in the ruins when Sruthi is about to express her love for Tamizh but is cut short with sporadic gunfire and killings, was well shown.

Vijay-Asin pair has terrific on-screen chemistry. Asin is attractive and plays a typical heroine falling in love with a macho-man. She does have the opportunity to shake her legs with Vijay. Vadivelu''s comedy track as a Kung-Fu instructor is hilarious especially the Suttrum Vizhi number where he pokes fun at actor Surya. But the same cannot be said about some scenes when he pees on a bike.

Prakash Raj is like old wine that gets better with time as he once again surprises you with his performance especially the scene in police custody, but such a powerful mafia don is projected in a comical style in the second half.
It is an out-and-out Vijay film as the wise-cracking rowdy who turns into a cop; he is wacky and has great comedic timing. He steers the film to the winning post. Mani Sharma''s music from the original has been retained and songs like "Aadungada Ennai Suthi" and "Tamil Tamil" are hummable and well choreographed.

On the downside, there is too much of blood and gore, including disturbing close-up shots.

But on the whole, "Pokkiri" is enjoyable while it lasts and Vijay in the company of Prabhudeva has come out with an action-packed entertainer.

Cinema Online, 23 September 2008