Viswaroopam was one of the most admired film because of wonderful performances and technical brilliance. Sequel for the same, Vishwaroopam 2 has finally hit the screens after so many postponements. Is this sequel on par with the first part? Let’s discuss in the following review part.
Major Wisam Ahmad Kashmiri (Kamal Haasan) returns as RAW Agent and given the task of eliminating Al-Qaeda terrorist Omar Qureshi (Rahul Bose) and his Jihadis, who plan to attack New York City. Wisam is assisted by beautiful wife Nirupama (Pooja Kumar), his subordinate Ashmita Subramaniam (Andrea Jeremiah) and his superior Colonel Jagannath (Shekhar Kapur), but a key person in Indian embassy betrays him. How Wisam deals with all the odds in the process to accomplish his mission is rest.
Vishwaroopam 2 is released now when movie buffs have almost forgot about first part released more than four years ago. Apparently, the buzz is all time low yet one section of audience waited keenly for the sequel expecting the same thrilling ride with action, drama to be repeated in the narration by most trusted Kamal. But, they are proved wrong in no time. The film serving as both a prequel and sequel to Viswaroopam is no reach to the first part. Poor writing and making made VR2 a time testing hollow experience. Except Kamal's age defying passion in delivering few well captured episode, there's nothing here. Cinematography by Sanu Varghese and Shamdat Sainudeen duo is spotless unraveling the beauties of foreign locales wherein background score by Ghibran is just absorbing. Editing should have been far better though a few sharp cuts give goosebumps. Production values are below par for a star hero film and that too for a spy thriller subject.
Onto artists, Kamal Haasan steals the show with his stellar performance as RAW agent. He performed some daredevil stunts that will amaze us. He is simply outstanding in one particular scene where he converses with mother, class of an actor. Pooja Kumar is just okay, oozed some oomph in an intimate scene. Andrea has got a meaty role. Shekhar Kapur is okay and Rahul Bose is wasted completely. Waheeda Rehman is cool in a brief role.
Kamal Haasan
Action Episodes
Writing
Direction
Production
Predictable Narration
Irrelevant Plot
If you are a big Fan of Kamal or Viswaroopam, the second part would unquestionably be an underwhelming experience for plenty reasons. Vishwaroopam 2 is more like a dialogue play and drama driven film unlike the first part which had outstanding introduction scene, thrills, sensitive moments, loads of action and a strong villain. Here, Kamal just extends his character without worrying on empty script and aimless drive for entire story telling.
The film begins on a bang and we are under an impression that the sequel will also be an incredible spy thriller. In no time, you are sunk and down. Most of the time, Kamal goes back and forth to renew our memory which tests patience adding to confusion. The training episode followed by a scene of Kamal entering Al-Qaeda camp in Afghanistan is a thrilling experience just like MI. Car attack was very silly. Kamal’s debate with Ananth Mahadevan is a clap worthy moment. The under-water chapter in Shearing Town is superb before interval.
The latter part too goes on slow pace and the story shifts to Delhi. The much publicized mother sentiment sequences featuring Waheeda Rahman fails to create any impact, added boredom. Action episode in Afghanistan is exceptional. However, the action part in pre-climax is again weedy. Convincing Rahul Bose about his family in the climax is unpersuasive ending the film on unconvincing note when Rahul Bose's medico son runs away hinting on third part.
All in all, Vishwaroopam 2 is a dumb sequel to exceptional first part. Except for Afghan episode which was shot along with first part long back, nothing in the sequel is exhilarating. Better to skip this film even if you are a diehard Kamal Haasan fan. CJ goes with 2.25 rating, only respecting Kamal Haasan’s one man show.