A brave comedy, even though it's not so effective, The New Indian Express

News Express Service

Tamizh Padam 2

Director: CS Amudhan

Distribution: Shiva, Sathish, Iswarya Menon, Kalairani

Rating 2.5 / 5

When it's all right, comedy Tamizh Padam 2 really explodes. Just like in the first film released eight years ago, my favorite pieces are when Tamizh Padam 2 uses the hype effectively to make fun of the stale habits of Tamil cinema, including badism, the development of lazy characters and the wicked subscribed. Like this opening sequence, when Shiva walks around again and again before the bickering groups lay down their arms, if only they can get relief from his dull and incoherent monologue. It's funny in part because it conjures up images of all those eras, our heroes, in movies, indulged in unrealistic Pharisaic speeches to the surprisingly sustained attention of their followers, or as CS Amudhan the emphasized, "junior artists". Later in the film, we show that Shiva is training to return to his role as cop, and this is done through a montage of his work. Apart from the obvious inspiration of Vivegam, the scene here is also a dismantling of these unrealistic and cursory transformation scenes over the years. Remember, this is not just the recreation of the scene itself – most viewers seemed rather happy with that – but what they do with it.

As I said, when it works, it is explosive. But that does not work as often as it should. For vast expanses, Tamizh Padam 2 simply invokes references to pop culture rather than being too smart with it. So, if you are happy enough to play spot-the-movie, there is no shortage of material, and you will find yourself very busy and even entertained. VTV, Anniyan, VIP, Mersal, Sivaji, Enthiran, Kabali … Everything is there. But once the novelty of the scouting has dissipated, you will find that there is just not as much joking as what we would expect in a movie.

But make no mistake. It's a necessary film. His desire not to let anyone down is really refreshing. Even Modi is not immune. A character reacts in shock to this bravery and says, "Idhu romba over da". The movie makes jokes about some big names in the film industry, and in those moments, the importance of a movie like that and be allowed as a broad release, can only not be underestimated.

In a film like this, the story was always going to be pretty superficial. Given that the focus is on the little gags that populate this movie, you will realize that the story here is simply meant to be a soft thread that goes through every joke attempt. However, from time to time, especially during the arid periods of the second half, this lack of story force becomes particularly noticeable. At some point, you go from a gag Irudhi Suttru – who, in the rehearsal does not work at all – to a rescue scene apparently inspired by Speed. Before you know it, there is a piece of music, and I remember thinking how convenient it is for creators that they can simply call it digging the number-object ritual in our cinema. Maybe they should have reversed the roles, and maybe a man interprets the song – as they do with the song breaking rather effectively. But as it exists, Kasturi's song is a disappointment and becomes the very fault that she is supposed to attack.

This sequel is not based solely on Tamil film material. Hollywood is also a major supplier. Apart from Speed, there is Terminator, Forrest Gump … During a stretch, the heroine dresses up as Game of Thrones's Daenerys. Someone else is dressed as Tyrion in the scene, while actors Shiva and Satish, wearing the outfit of the ancient sages, face off in a dance battle. Somehow, to be a comedy farce that takes intelligent and calculated digs, Tamizh Padam 2 almost turns into a Halloween party. The mere transformation of our actors to the resemblance is considered sufficient … but is not it. Take the parody of the Vedalam fight scene for example. There's a funny little rundown to explain why thugs do not really pull on Shiva's exposed legs, but it's a small reward for the complex re-creation of the scene. Shiva who, at one point in the movie, takes dykes to his or her ability to action – or the lack of it – tries to make the famous Ajith transformation scene. It's really when you realize that being Lollu Sabha, TP2 has been transformed into a neatly staged Boss Konjam Nadinga.