Junga (2018) - Cut Short Review

Cast: 'Makkal Selvan' Vijay Sethupathi, Sayyeshaa Saigal, Madonna Sebastian, Yogi Babu, Saranya Ponvannan, Suresh Chandra Menon, Delhi Ganesh, Motta Rajendran, Vinodh Munna, Syed, Radha Ravi
Direction: Gokul 
Production: Vijay Sethupathi Productions, A&P Groups  
Music: Siddharth Vipin 
Genre: Action, Comedy, Romance
Language: Tamil 
Version: 2D
Runtime: 2 hrs 38 mins 
Censor Certificate: U

Plot - Junga (Vijay Sethupathi) is a bus conductor in Pollachi. How Junga becomes a don in Chennai and why he tries to kidnap Yazhini in Paris forms the crux of the story. 

          'Junga' is an action-comedy film directed by Gokul. Vijay Sethupathi plays as a don in London. He produces this film under his own banner 'Vijay Sethupathi Productions'. Sayyeshaa Saigal and Madonna Sebastian plays the female lead in this film. By creating good expectations among the audience, the film finally releases today. 

Performance of the Star Cast - Vijay Sethupathi as usual delivers his convincing performance. He steals the show in every frame through his funny act. He also scores well in action sequences. Sayyeshaa Saigal gives her best to justify her character 'Yazhini'. In 'Parrys to Paris' song, her dance movements are really superb. Madonna Sebastian plays an extended cameo in the film. Still, she delivers a good performance in the given space. Yogi Babu comes as a good support for Vijay Sethupathi throughout the film. As usual, he comes in the frame and grabs the audience attention through his one-liners. Saranya Ponvannan delivers her usual performance, in which she scores well in few parts. The actress who played as 'Junga Paati' (Don't know her name) attracts the audience very easily. Suresh Chandra Menon's negative characterisation is not so powerful. Still, he gives his best. All the other actors have done their part well. 

Technical Works - Dudley's cinematography is really superb, with catchy visuals. He has captured the beauty of Paris in an attractive manner. V.J.Sabu Joseph's editing looks sleek in most of the portions. Siddharth Vipin's songs are not bad. 'Koottippo Koodave', 'Rise of Don' and 'Parrys to Paris' songs are good. His background score is not upto the mark. It looks good only in parts. 

Director's Involvement with the Script - Director Gokul joins hands with Vijay Sethupathi for the second time after 'Idharkuthaane Aasaipattai Balakumara'. He tries to convey a serious don subject in an humourous way. So, he uses 'Kanjamana Don' concept in the film. With that, the director tries to entertain the audience. It also works well in most of the scenes. Still, his screenplay execution has some issues. This makes the entertainment factor to work here and there. He should have worked more to make the screenplay more interesting. In some places, he scores well with some dialogues. 

Screenplay Execution - In the first half, the film opens with the superb introduction of Vijay Sethupathi. After that, the film takes some time to create an interest. From Vijay Sethupathi's transformation to don, the screenplay creates an interest and maintains a good flow. In between, our interest slows down in few scenes. Towards the interval, the film becomes engaging. The interval block is not bad. In the second half, the film goes on the right track for few minutes. Later, the film goes pointless slightly because of 'Italian Mafia Gang' addition. From there, the screenplay makes the audience to wait for the point to create an interest. After reaching that point, the film once again maintains a good flow. Towards the climax, the film becomes engaging. The climax looks simple only. The finishing touch by the director is not bad. 

Main Negatives of the Film - The duration is the biggest negative of this film. The film looks so lengthy just because of the unnecessary song placements. The songs like 'Amma Mela Sathiyam', 'Lolikiriya' and 'Koottippo Koodave' comes as a speed breaker only. The director fails to balance the entertainment factor in a right proportion. This is the main reason for the audience to get disappointed slightly at some moments. In the second half, the film has been dragged to the core. This makes the director to struggle in creating a strong connect with the film. Some humour doesn't create a good laughter. As usual, logical errors can be seen here and there. 

Verdict
          'Junga' is neither 'too good' nor 'too bad'. This Vijay Sethupathi's family don entertainer satisfies in most of the portions. The screenplay execution in the first half is not bad, but the second half has many issues. So, the audience doesn't get complete fulfillment. Still, the humour content and Vijay Sethupathi's screen presence helps to entertain for an extent. We can consider this film as 'watchable once' category for Vijay Sethupathi's appearance and also for some good humour tracks. Watch the film with very low expectations. 

Cut Short Rating 

Vijay Sethupathi Fans - 7.4/10

General Audience - 6.7/10