Dasavatharam Movie Review
Will Dasavatharam win an Oscar?
- Yes (78%, 309 Votes)
- No (22%, 85 Votes)
Total Voters: 394
Loading ...Cast: Kamal Haasan, Asin, Mallika Sherawat,Napolean,Jayapradha, Nagesh and others
Direction: K S Ravikumar
Music: Himesh Reshammiya
Production: Aascar V Ravichandran
Before going into anything else, let me first answer the question that must be running through everyone’s mind. Is the movie worth all the hype and hoopla surrounding it? Is it a must watch movie? The answer to both is a very resounding YES!!!
Having said that, i must also make it clear that the movie has its flaws, and it even fails at something that is always expected in a Kamal movie- the actor’s versatile acting. Though there are moments in the movie where Kamal shows why he can be called the most versatle actor India has ever produced, and there is clearly no doubt that Kamal is indeed a very versatile actor, but the extensive make-up for few roles just make it impossible for Kamal to emote and his acting poweress is seen only in the body language of the actor in these roles.
And talking about the make-up, so much was talked about it that one really believed that Kamal would not be identified in few of the roles, but the roles clearly stand out because of their pathetic make-up and as previously said, he make up also weighs down the actor from showing his acting skills. Especially the roles of Kalifullah Khan and Christian Fletcher. They look so odd with the make-up, they seem almost in-human.
The movie also has a weak storyline, but the 10 characters are beautifully brought together to form the jig-saw puzzle that is Dasavatharam.
The story begins with the Scientist Kamal(Govind Ramasamy) recounting his adventures at a ceremony to commemorate his services to the world. The story, as said by Govind, then shifts to 12th century Tamil Nadu where we witness Rangaraja Nambi being drowned along with the Vishnu Idol by a Shivaite king. Nambi’s wife(Asin) also kills herself after witnessing her husband’s death.
We then come to modern day(well, Dec 2004) to witness the creation of a biological viral weapon capable killing villains. Govind, in his venture to prevent the vial containing the virus from falling into the wrong hands finds himself being chased by the villain Christian Fletcher(Kamal). Fletcher is portrayed in true Hollywood and is shown as a very cruel person indeed. But as previously said, the facial makeup should have been better. Govind finds himself in a chase to get the vial, which journeys to India with Fletcher hot on its trails. Mallika sherawat comes in as translator for Fletcher and has the desried effect and delivers with her short role.
Enter Balram Naidu, the comic relief of the movie. The character is absoluely hillarious and Kamal is clearly at his best portraying Naidu. The CID officer is brought in to the Govind case and Kamal delivers a punch with his dialogues, expressions and body languages for this role. Asin comes in as an innocent girl, inevitably brought into the chase as the vial lands up in her household. Though the movie has Kamal written all over it, Asin has palyed her role to perfections and makes us sit up and take notice
The other characters in the story add the necessary spice to the movie from Avataar Singh to Vincent Poovaragan. Rest of the story is about how Govind prevents the vial from being obtained by Fletcher and how the 12th century “couple” are united again while fighting for a similar cause that separated them 8 centuries ago. The final tsunami scene must be mentioned. It is awe inspiring and is shot very well.
The USP of the movie are Kamal, Kamal, the technical brilliance and Kamal again. Kamal fans would just love to see their actor take so many roles and even the critics of Kamal would clearly give their thumds up for Kamal and his das avataras
All in all a very good movie, giving various messages for people in the modern world, talking about spiritualism and religion to biological warfare. A must watch indeed!!!
Best dialogue in the movie:
Kamal(Govind)- “I didnt say god is not there…only that it would have been better if god was”
The dasavatharam debate- Will Dasavatharam win an Oscar?
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June 14th, 2008 at 11:23 pm
A true treat to Kamal fans. These flaws are nothing compared to what we had to go through in most Tamil movies. Also body language and dialog delivery more than makes up for the lack of facial expression. Also an eye opener for those in the dark about Bio-Weapons. The movie will leave a mark among Tamil movie lovers.
June 16th, 2008 at 8:13 am
Great Review, Here\’s My Two Cents…
Okay, I read a lot of nasty comments in another thread about how bad the story , graphics, and makeup was. First of all, I am actually a Rajini fan, but after Anbe Sivam, Thenali, and now Dasavatharam, I can safely say I also really like Kamal. Yes, the graphics were a bit disappointing, but that shouldn\’t make or break the story. Yes, some makeup was obvious on some characters, but goddammit they all tried their best as can be seen after the movie and you know what, my dad really thought Fletcher was a white guy until the interval.
The most amazing thing about this movie, in my humble opinion, is the amazing story, the lessons it teaches, and all the little details added to bring about the story.
Okay, now I will start my analysis of the story…
Chaos Theory was one of the themes in this movie. Everything affects everything. No matter how small of an event, it can still have a huge impact. Someone said the 12th century flashback was pointless. I am sorry my friend, but it is vital to the Chaos Theory theme. The huge idol of Perumal dropped into the ocean in the 12th century BC affected the tectonic plates just a little slightly. After almost 3000 years, the tectonic plates shifted enough to cause an earthquake, which subsequently caused the Dec.26th South Asian Tsunami. This tsunami caused enough sea water to submerge the deadly biochemical that Fletcher releases. I hope you remember that sea water is in fact salty water (NaCl water). Hero Kamal said they would need mountains of NaCl if the biochemical was released, and that mountain of NaCl came in the form of the tsunami. All the little details that happened throughout the course of the movie ultimately brought the biochemical to the shores of the sea. Also, it was fate that brought Kamal and Asin to the seashore of the same beach scene in 12th century BC. Because they were at a historical place, Boovaragalam was there to stop the sand-stealers from destroying the historical area. This in turn allowed Kamal+Asin to escape and allowed Boovaragalam to subsequently go to his enemy\’s house to subsequently save his children.
The value of each individual is a second theme found in the story. Everyone has the potential for change to happen (chaos theory). Like, Boovaragalam (i know wrong spelling) said, we are all heroes, some of us just choose to live like vermin. This same character also rebutted the sand-stealer\’s offensive statement that his lower class people can not read. Boovaragalam shows example of all his people that can read, he even introduces one of his people who is a poet. When the poet finishes and one of the people in his group say all of us can now read, Boovaragalam admits he is illiterate. But then his friend makes a beautiful comeback for him, when he says Boovaragalam is a genius without even having to read. That scene really made me feel for those who put down others in society based on caste or education level. The scene showed how important every person is, no matter how literate or how rich or how high class a person is. We are all equal in god\’s eyes. Boovaragalam doesn\’t think twice about risking his own life to rescue his enemy\’s children. Unlike others who were not in the right place to save the children, Boovaragalam was. The scene showed the power each individual possesses.
Now, on to the many many many fine details…
Fletcher shows his bad-****** attitude a lot, did you see him flip off the security camera? lol
The lion statue on the sea shore appears in the 12th century and in present times. Old Asin killed herself on the head of this lion, present Asin hits herself on the same lion.
In the scene where Old Kamal is dropped into the ocean with the idol, a little of his blood triggers the senses of a shark. The shark of course eats him, except for his hand, which is why there is only the bones of a hand that remains on the statue after the idol washes ashore after the tsunami.
The hordes of birds that fly over Fletcher when he is alone with the idol on the construction building indicates the impending tsunami.
I have written all of this based on only seeing it once. There is a lot more that should be added once I see it again. Plus, I did forget some details here and there as well. As I hope you can see, the powerful story and the important lessons that are taught throughout the story really over power the \"obvious\" makeup and \"PS2\" graphics.
If you watched the movie for super amazing makeup, go look at a plastic surgery magazine. If you watched the movie for amazing graphics, go watch Transformers. If you want a good entertainer for 3 hours that also has a great story and important lessons without being preachy, then please, go watch DASAVATHARAM!!!
btw, awesome background music and I loved Oh Oh Sanam and Mukunda Mukunda.
June 18th, 2008 at 11:56 am
Really the very pointed out…. excellent review made by the reveiewer…
Thank u….
Shankar (Dash)
June 18th, 2008 at 11:58 am
Unmayana kalinganuku paratu… than sanmanmaga iruku… enbathai intha review mulam unarthivitirgal… athilum kadisi vasanathai kurupitu ulathu arumayilum arumai….
Shankar (DASH)
June 18th, 2008 at 10:03 pm
SivRami wonderful review man, agree with him 100% please dont try to compare the graphics at a hollywood standard but an Indian movie standard, great movie, blocbuster
June 19th, 2008 at 9:09 pm
siv rami your view over the film is very good.I have watched the movie for 4 times but i din’t notice some of the things that you mentioned above.
Its a good movie “THE HINDU” has given 4 stars for this movie they mentioned that “DASAVATHARAM” is an epic. every indians(especially tamilans)should encourage the effort of the dasavatharam team by.
June 19th, 2008 at 11:41 pm
Great review and excellent response and minute details from Sivrami about the film. I really appreciate it.I am also a die hard fan of Kamal. I loved the movie very much each and every minute.
But my only concern, is instead of 12th century (I am not quite sure if any Hindu king would have thrown an idol out of the temple, even if he hates it), he could have shown some other story to validate the Chaos theory.
Because he has shown to such an extent that someone tries to kick the statue with his leg, which is very painful and affects the whole sentiments of People who worship god.
Also starting from interval to the end, the idol of Govindaraja perumal was thrown here and there like a toy. On one occasion, Fletecher even tries to wrap around his shoulders.
Whether all these are really necessary to tell a Chaos theory?
I am truly disappointed with the way the God has been handled throughout the film.
Even if the 12th century story might be true, only after seeing the film most of us know about it. So Kamal has given a free documentary to the whole world how Tamilnadu was in 12th century and make other guess, feel and tease about Tamil Hindus, which could have been avoided. Now itself many Telugu people started asking me about this. This is a sort of embarrasment.
I would say VHP and others had put a case against the story of the film which affects Hindu sentiments, are absolutely right.
Reviewer also made a famous dialague at the end of film. Everyone appreciated that dialague. I would say it is the most sarcastic dialague ever made. May be Kamal is an athesit, but whole world need now know about if he is an atheist and he need not preach it through the very powerful media.
Anyway I loved the movie as usual Kamal movies but the story could have been different and may God forgive him.
Thanks and apologize if I have used any harsh statements.