The Tamil movie Chennai City Gangsters was released on October 4, 2024. Here is a detailed review of the film.
Chennai City Gangsters: A Gangster Spoof That's More Gags Than Gangster
1. The Core Premise
2. The Highs: What Works
The Anandraj & Munishkanth Show: Let's be clear: the biggest reason to even consider watching this film is the veteran comedy duo. Anandraj, as the deadpan, menacing-but-clueless gangster 'Benne' Shankar, is the film's MVP. His stoic expressions and sudden bursts of frustration deliver the most consistent laughs. Munishkanth, as his bumbling right-hand man, is equally effective. Their chemistry is the comedic engine of the film, and every scene they are in is instantly elevated. The Spoof Element: The film is at its best when it's actively making fun of gangster movie tropes. The trio's attempts to create a "gang theme song," their hilariously failed extortion attempts, and their understanding of the underworld being derived entirely from cinema are genuinely funny concepts. Vaibhav's Relatability: Vaibhav has carved a niche for himself as the charming, relatable "boy-next-door" who gets into trouble, and he fits that role perfectly here. He is convincing as the naive leader of the pack, and his earnestness makes the audience root for him, even when the script doesn't give him much to work with.
3. The Lows: What Doesn't Work
The Wafer-Thin Screenplay: This is the film's Achilles' heel. The plot feels less like a cohesive story and more like a series of loosely connected comedy skits. The central conflict is set up early, but the narrative meanders without any real sense of urgency or rising stakes. The script, co-written and directed by Ghilli Sekar and Vikram Rajeshwar, lacks the tightness and cleverness needed to sustain a feature-length comedy. Inconsistent and Repetitive Humor: While the veterans land their punches, a lot of the other humor falls flat. The jokes become repetitive, and the gags start to feel predictable as the film progresses. What's funny in the first half-hour becomes tiresome by the second hour. Underdeveloped Characters: Beyond the central premise, none of the characters have any depth. Vaibhav's two friends are one-note caricatures. The female lead, played by Athulya Ravi, is disappointingly sidelined. She appears in a handful of scenes as the token love interest, and her character has absolutely no bearing on the main plot. It's a role that feels like a complete afterthought. Pacing and Technical Aspects: The film suffers from serious pacing issues, especially in the second half, where it drags its feet towards a predictable climax. The music and background score are forgettable and do little to enhance the comedic timing. The dual-director approach might be a reason for the film's disjointed feel, as it lacks a singular, confident vision.
4. Performances
Vaibhav: Sincere and likable, but he is held back by a script that doesn't challenge him. Anandraj: The undisputed star of the show. He's a comedic force of nature and saves many scenes from falling flat. Munishkanth: Provides excellent support to Anandraj and delivers his lines with impeccable timing. Athulya Ravi: Wasted in an insignificant role. The Supporting Cast: A mixed bag of performances that don't leave a lasting impression.
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