LEO Review

LEO is a 2023 action entertainer directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, based on the novel A History of Violence by DC Comics. The film stars Thalapathy Vijay, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun, Trisha, and others. Leo marks the second collaboration between Thalapathy Vijay and Lokesh Kanagaraj, following Master, and has been one of the most highly anticipated films in the country. Lokesh Kanagaraj has garnered significant attention from the general audience for his unique storytelling and filmography. With his own cinematic universe that includes movies like Kaithi and Vikram, the anticipation for Leo also revolved around whether it would be a part of the Lokesh Cinematic Universe (LCU). However, this universe expectation may have worked against the film, as some viewers were expecting a multi-starrer like Vikram, with the presence of references to Kamal Haasan, Suriya, and Karthi. Instead, Leo is a character-driven film that follows the storyline of A History of Violence, with a strong focus on the lead character, Parthiban, portrayed by Thalapathy Vijay. However, there are some surprises as well. Apart from the universe aspect, the movie has a huge star like Thalapathy Vijay to generate a huge buzz. He is one of Tamil cinema’s superstars with a massive fanbase and a consistent track record at the box office.

The story of Leo revolves around Parthiban and his family, who find themselves in a series of challenging situations and face off against various antagonists after an incident involving Parthiban in a murder. These villains from different regions identify Parthiban as their enemy, Leo, and go to great lengths to confirm his identity. The film delves into how their once peaceful and happy lives take a dark turn as they fight for their survival and attempt to prove that Parthiban is not the violent criminal known as Leo.

Thalapathy Vijay, in the role of Parthiban / Leo Das, truly steals the show. He carries the entire film on his shoulders. Parthiban is undoubtedly his most compelling and best character portrayal to date. Vijay, who is often stereotyped as a commercial hero, like what happened to Superstar Rajinikanth, gets a chance here to demonstrate his versatility and superior acting. Directors like Lokesh Kanagaraj and Atlee have brought his potential to the fullest, resulting in iconic performances and memorable characters like Parthiban, JD, Vetrimaran, Rayappan, etc. Parthiban is a complex, volatile character, and Vijay effortlessly brings him to life, showcasing his range as a performer. Man, he should be utilized like this. Kudos to Lokesh for this. In this film, you see only Parthiban / Leo, not the actor Vijay. Sanjay Dutt delivers a terrific performance with his commanding screen presence. Action King Arjun does justice to his role, and the fight sequences in the climax are nothing short of amazing. Trisha shines in her role, and her on-screen chemistry with Thalapathy Vijay is simply unbeatable. This would be a delightful experience for fans of the ’90s who enjoyed their previous collaborations in Ghilli, Thiruppachi, Aathi, etc. The casting of Parthiban’s family is spot-on, with Vijay, Trisha, Mathew, and Iyal forming a perfect combo. Sandy Master’s portrayal is outstanding and will be remembered for years to come. The rest of the cast, including Gautham Vasudev Menon, Maryan George, Madonna, does justice to their roles and contributes to the film’s overall success.

However, despite the strong performances, some of the cast members are underutilized, and certain characters seem unnecessary. For example, Harold Das, played by Arjun, and the characters portrayed by Priya Anand, Anurag Kashyap, Mysskin and others add little to the overall narrative. These characters and their scenes detract from the focus on key plot developments, reducing their impact. Removing these elements could have allowed for more exploration of Leo Das’s character and more effective development of Antony Das and Elisa Das. It’s unclear how Lokesh Kanagaraj, who excelled in the first half, messed up the writing and second-half screenplay. The first half is nothing short of terrific and can be considered one of the best first halves and interval sequences in Tamil Cinema. However, the second half appears somewhat rushed, with an overload of scenes and characters. A better-structured second half could have taken the entire film to another level. Nevertheless, the second half contains several impressive scenes, particularly during the climax and action sequences. The Hyena sequences are world-class, and their connection into the second half is one of the film’s most thrilling aspects. Where Leo falls short is in character development, particularly of the antagonists and Elisa Das. The Leo Das storyline lacks high-impact moments, especially considering the buildup created by Sanjay Dutt’s introduction and narration to Trisha.

Anirudh Ravichander, the man from a different universe, is never out of ideas. He delivered songs and background music that seamlessly blend with the film’s narrative. Tracks like I’m Scared, Villain Yaaru, and Badass are standout compositions that enhance the movie’s impact. As always, Anirudh’s contribution is a significant factor in Leo’s success. From a technical perspective, the film is top-notch, with exceptional cinematography, art direction, and visual effects. However, there is room for improvement in the quality of visual effects in the chase sequences. The visual effects in this portion were lacking. On the other hand, the Hyena sequences are visually stunning and deserve applause for their execution. Lokesh Kanagaraj’s signature filmmaking style is evident throughout, though the screenplay is somewhat uneven.

In summary, Leo is a highly entertaining mass entertainer crafted by Lokesh Kanagaraj. As promised, he succeeds in presenting Thalapathy Vijay in a never-before-seen character. However, it is Thalapathy Vijay who primarily carries the film, given his overwhelming screen presence, ultimately compensating for the movie’s shortcomings. While Leo surpasses their previous collaboration, Master, it falls slightly short in comparison to other LCU movies like Vikram and Kaithi. The future of the Leo character and his place within this universe remains uncertain. As a character introduction, Leo is an excellent starting point, and there is substantial potential for further exploration, particularly regarding the Leo Das character.

Without revealing any spoilers, the movie includes a reference to the LCU, and the final reference is particularly impressive. It feels organic and promises to unfold further in future LCU movies or a potential Leo sequel. A sequel would be a welcome addition, as Leo stands as a benchmark for Hollywood-standard filmmaking by Lokesh Kanagaraj, offering high repeat watch value and an exceptional cinematic experience.

Subramani is a fantastic character and one of the biggest favorites in Leo after Thalapathy Vijay’s Parthiban. Welcome to the universe, Subramani! The best cameo ever! 😀