'Coolie' early review: Overseas audience call Rajinikanth-Lokesh Kanaraj's movie 'a letdown', criticize monotonous storytelling

The much-awaited Tamil movie Coolie is now playing in theaters, but while fans in Chennai have to wait until 9:00 pm for the Thalaivar darisanam, audiences in the US were able to enjoy an earlier screening. In the US, the movie premiered at 6:30 pm EST (4:00 am IST). The release has been celebrated like a festival by Rajinikanth's devoted followers, taking excitement around the film to new heights. This movie is particularly important as it celebrates Rajinikanth's 50 years in the film industry.

While audiences in India eagerly await Rajinikanth’s silver screen return, overseas reviews have caused quite a stir. Social media reports suggest the movie has 'fallen short' of expectations due to monotonous storytelling. The star-studded ensemble cast turned out to be a disadvantage for the film, with the director failing to make the characters stand out.

However, Thalaivar’s signature swag and exceptional performance, particularly in the de-aging flashback scenes, continue to impress, though it hasn’t been enough to elevate the film overall. While some moments, especially Rajinikanth’s performance, will give audiences goosebumps, the storyline falls flat, making the movie a tedious watch.

The star-studded cast, despite their immense presence, fails to do justice to their respective roles. Nagarjuna stands out as the feared gangster Simon, while Soubin Shahir as Dayal offers strong competition. The first half of the film feels predictable and slow, which is unexpected given Lokesh Kanagaraj's usual flair for gripping storytelling.

While the first fails to explode, filmmaker Lokesh Kanagaraj tries to take the movie to new heights in the second half. The last 20 minutes, especially the climax, are a visual treat, featuring explosive action, spine-tingling scenes, and the kind of dramatic flair that has made Loki’s filmmaking style so beloved.

The music by Anirudh Ravichander has been labelled as 'average,' failing to live up to the high expectations that usually accompany his work. However, it's too early to jump to conclusions, as the real feast will start with the Indian audience celebrating Rajinikanth's 171st movie and his 50 years in the film industry.