Beast Review: Disappointing in Places!

Just like everything else, star power has its pros and cons. It can attract the general public to watch a film in droves, but it can also be a deterrent to the content. Not every director can toe the line between balancing an actor’s star power and staying true to the vision of his film. Beast is an action invasion thriller that revolves around an ex RAW agent, Veeraraghavan, dealing with a terrorist organisation that hijacked a mall.

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Also starring Pooja Hegde, Selvaraghavan and Yogi Babu in supporting roles, from fan service to presentation, Director Nelson pulls no punches. The maverick action sequences coupled with Vijay’s blistering perennial screen presence and energy are a treat. Vijay plays to his strengths, underplaying his character when needed and pulling out the big guns (literally & metaphorically) when the situation calls for it.

However, when armed with a charismatic, star-powered Protagonist, the script called for a menacing, equally potent antagonist. Unfortunately, all of Veera’s adversaries were uninspiring, dull, and a mere stroll in the park for him to handle. Ironically, he even mentions this to the main antagonist, lamenting the cat and mouse game could have been more challenging.

Nelson’s trademark brand of comedy is present yet diluted. Unlike his previous films (Kolamavu Kokila and Doctor), where the side characters are allowed to overshadow the protagonist, this is thoroughly a vehicle for Thalapathy Vijay to commandeer and ride off into the sunset. The first ten minutes and the last ten minutes of the film could not be more similar yet more different to each other. Both sequences boast slick action sequences that fire on all cylinders. Yet while the first act sets the tone for Beast and establishes his character arc, the film’s final sequence feels outlandish, and it forces the protagonist’s journey to come full circle.

Beast is majestic, evident from its cinematography and style, but it is underwhelming for its content. There will always be a struggle when a director has to cater to an actor and his fan base, and it shows. There is plenty of convenience and coincidence in a film that deserved better, yet Beast from Nelson is entertaining but unfortunately disappointing in places.

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