'Leo' Movie Review: Vijay Shines in Lokesh Kanagaraj's latest, but not without flaws

Filmmaker Lokesh Kanagaraj's latest film "Leo" starring Vijay tests the trust and faith of audiences, falling short of expectations.

In the realm of Lokesh Kanagaraj, there lies a captivating and awe-inspiring evolution of a filmmaker, evident in his four remarkable films. As an audience member, you have been immersed in the exhilarating pre-release fanfare, the captivating drama, the endless fan theories, and the frenzy of ticket-buying. You have meticulously pieced together fragments of information like a complex puzzle, carefully constructing your expectations. Yet, when you step into the world of Leo, an overwhelming euphoria washes over you, a joy that stems from your unwavering trust in the vision of a filmmaker. This trust and goodwill that Lokesh has earned is the foundation upon which your experience rests.

However, trust is not without its trials. Leo, starring the illustrious Vijay, serves as a litmus test for both Lokesh and his audience. In this film, Lokesh embarks on a brilliant reimagining of David Cronenberg's 2005 drama, A History of Violence. It tells the tale of a simple family man from a small town who is compelled to confront nefarious individuals hell-bent on spilling his blood. While this premise may seem worn-out, reminiscent of Vijay's own film Theri directed by Atlee, Lokesh, with his directorial prowess showcased in Kaithi and Vikram, breathes new life into the narrative, pushing it to its limits and transforming it into a quintessential Lokesh Kanagaraj action-packed spectacle.

Lokesh infuses this potent storyline with a plethora of genre treats, akin to gunpowder, with Vijay as the explosive ammunition, and unleashes it with fervent filmmaking fury. However, amidst the flurry of action, Lokesh misses his mark.

It becomes evident where the misstep occurs. Lokesh, rightfully so, devotes substantial time to establishing the world of Parthiban (played by Vijay), a bakery owner and part-time animal rescuer residing in the tranquil town of Theog, Himachal Pradesh. The film sets the stage with a beautifully crafted scene, depicting Parthiban's rescue of a hyena, setting the tone for what lies ahead for him and his family. Parthiban's family includes his concerned wife Sathya (played by Trisha), his son Siddharth (Mathew Thomas) who grapples with teenage angst, and his daughter Chintu (Iyal) who shares a passion for dancing with her father.

If the hyena rescue scene offers a glimpse into the essence of our hero, it is a breathtaking moment at Parthiban's bakery that truly defines his character. A group of reckless hoodlums (portrayed by Mysskin, Sandy, and others) wreak havoc, and Lokesh, in his signature style, infuses the scene with tension, reminiscent of Cronenberg's original film. The scene is elevated by the nostalgic melodies of 90s Tamil songs, such as 'Karu Karu Karupayi' and 'Thamarai Poovukkum,' and the close-ups that gradually reveal Vijay's determined face, foreshadowing the inevitable climax.

Interestingly, Leo delves even deeper than A History of Violence, delving into the psyche of an innocent man after his family is exposed to a malevolent world.

As Lokesh continues to build the narrative, a hint of concern lingers. The story has yet to introduce the primary antagonists, Antony Das (played by Sanjay Dutt) and his brother Harold Das (Arjun). These characters believe that Parthiban may be the presumed-dead Leo Das, portrayed with unparalleled coolness by Vijay. The remaining runtime raises doubts about whether it can sustain the weight of the anticipated flashback and the character arcs of the Das family. Unfortunately, Leo derails at this point, becoming Lokesh's weakest film to date. It fails to address the fundamental question of "Who is Leo Das, and why did he betray his own people?" This pillar, upon which the entire film rests, crumbles, and the audience is left indifferent towards the Das gangster squadron.

Even a stunningly-conceived car chase sequence, unlike anything seen in Tamil cinema before, cannot salvage the film from losing its initial vigor. The numerous monotonous knife fights further dampen its impact. Additionally, Lokesh tantalizes us with the potential of a romantic angle at the beginning, only to let the emotional beats and Sathya's character arc dissipate prematurely.

While Lokesh successfully harnesses Vijay's talent, allowing him to deliver what the scenes demand, the flaws in the scene-writing process leave a lasting impression. It is disappointing to witness Lokesh, the writer (alongside Rathna Kumar and Deeraj Vaidy in Leo), who has astounded us with his work on Vikram, stumble with this subpar attempt at what could have been a captivating character study.

For those already aware of whether Leo is part of the Lokesh Cinematic Universe, but choose to remain in denial until watching the film, this is your cue to exit. Leo raises questions about Lokesh's ability to build a universe, as everything about the LCU in Leo feels contrived and forced.

The only remaining source of excitement lies in witnessing Kamal Haasan and Vijay, two iconic stars, share the screen. However, the question remains whether we will be truly invested in watching Parthiban enter the world of Vikram. How Lokesh will navigate the story with five leading stars in the mix is yet to be seen. The end credits soundtrack, the surprising zinger "I'm Scared," and the numerous callbacks to Vikram serve as a testament to the fact that composer Anirudh Ravichander remains the pulsating heartbeat of Lokesh's Cinematic Universe.

While Leo may have missed its mark, the impact of Lokesh's previous films is so profound that audiences will continue to champion him. In Lokesh, we still believe... for now.

Leo is currently captivating audiences in theaters.

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