Kaavalan is the Tamil version of Bodyguard. It was the first Vijay starrer I saw in its entirety.The first hour is intolerably bad, full of what I suppose is the typical Vijay film schtick. He looks quite funny when beating up a dozen or so thugs simultaneously, so skinny and harmless-looking he is in terms of attitude. Vadivelu plays one of the least funny and least necessary comic reliefs in the history of cinema. Tamil cinema needs to let go this obsession with comic reliefs. It's especially not needed in a film like this where the screenplay is so full of ridiculous characters and occurrences that it's impossible to keep a straight face anyway :D Once the love story begins, the film improves and the last half an hour does manage to make an emotional impact, even if only on a superficial level. Its treatment is like a Karan Johar film and is even largey lifted from Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. Vijay sobers up and underplays his character, which made me think that he really has the potential to become a fine actor, but always chooses wrong scripts and bad directors like Dharani, Perarasu etc. He must approach some really competent directors like Mani Ratnam, Bala, Vetrimaaran etc.

Vijay is back to his vintage best in his latest flick "Kavalan" which has finally hit theaters after many hurdles. Movie is faithful to its original "The Bodyguard" which was a hit last year in Kerala directed by the same director , Siddique. This is the second one from the director- actor combo after the immensely successful "Friends". Though they were not able to recreate the magic of the former , "Kavalan" is better than most recent few movies of Vijay. "Kavalan " is a reminiscence of those golden days of Vijay in the mid & late 90's with many such romantic movies of his which made him the most popular up & coming hero of those days. Seeing Vijay trying to change his track of sorts is in itself quite refreshing for Tamil Cinema needs heroes of his stature & charisma to be around to bring in the variety . Hope that he is not pulled into the muddle of politics & lost forever to Cinema. "Kavalan " as a movie is not a path-breaking , artistic movie which can be classified as a classic. It has its share of downers like the patchy screenplay , poor editing with poor song placement , very average making , gimmickry in the form of stunts. Yet it is a refreshing simple romantic tale with the last 30 minutes of the movie having one of the best twists we have seen in the last few years. First half has a meandering screenplay which is very wobbly & patchy with the comical duo of Vijay-Vadivelu providing the succor to the viewers in the otherwise below average half. The second half is where the movie's screenplay picks up steam & tightens leading onto a good finale. Its been a long time since the days of "Kadhalukku Mariyadhai" or "Thullatha Manamum Thullum" that a Vijay movie has such a poetic ending. Vijay is good as ever showcasing his all-round talents be it in emotional sequences or comedy . He has tried to underplay with certain sequences not in keeping with his mass hero image & its the way forward for him. He dances like a dream & agile in action sequences. His combination with Vadivelu is rip-roaring & they bring the roof down with their comedy.Asin looks jaded & disinterested in the movie though she is as chirpy & ravishing as ever in the song sequences. Mithra as the other heroine is adequate.Rajkiran's character though bereft with confusion , his portrayal of the role is blemish-less. Roja , M.S.Baskar , Lingstone , Neepa , Bakru in the supporting cast don't have much to do.Vadivelu is good once again with his combination with Vijay after their immensely successful "Friends" , "Vaseegara" & "Sachein". Movie is technically not that great in fact very average in that aspect. Ekambaram is the cinematographer & it is a far cry from some of his earlier works.In Vidhyasagar's music "Yaarathu" , "Pattampoochi" & "Sada sada" are delightful melodies while "Step Step Step it up" is a foot tapping number. It's been a very long time since a Vijay movie without a "kuthu" number . Background score is patchy with good work in between largely average work. On the whole , "Kavalan" is a perfect decent family entertainer sans any violence or gore or vulgarity. Coming in the background of string of box-office duds "Kavalan" may help Vijay salvage some pride in the B-O. If you are a fan of vintage romantic Vijay of the yore , then "Kavalan" is your pick.Bottomline : Vintage Vijay..

After some average and below average movies from Ilaiya thalapathi Vijay gave good and cute love story. Director Siddque's effect is reflecting on screen in Vijay's performance. The story about Kavalan, Bodyguard becomes a lover of Meera(Asin). Bhoominathan(Vijay)has been appointed as a bodyguard for RajKiran and his daughter Asin. For some reasons Asin called Vijay's mobile as a lover. from that phone calls they developed their Love. Finally they joined or not is rest of the story. After Sachin Vijay gave cute love story. Rajkiran and Roja(Asin's Mother) have done a good job. for comedy track has been done by Vadivelu as a Ammavasai. he also done a Great job. Music is scored by Vidhyasagar. five melody songs, all are good not like previous movies. Finally Vijay is Back with "Kavalan".

A Heart touching love story after a long time in Tamil cinema. The first 80 minute are fast and very funny. Then the movie becomes a bit slow (in a good way). Park scene was very natural and emotional. I did not expect this much twist in a love story. The theater went crazy (screaming in a good way) every five minutes. Vijay was excellent. A movie to show his acting skills. He overshadowed all the other cast. Asin and Mithra looked older than he was. Asin changed a lot (for the worst). She has a plastic face. Mithras's acting was OK. Vadivelu was OK but his stay in the cine-field is definitely going to end very soon. Rajikiran was good. He should work with vijay in another movie with a meatier role.Roja did her part well. Step it up choreography could have been much better (considering vijay skills). Yaradhu was the best (of all the movies released in the recent time. Pattampoochi rocked. All the Songs were well placed in a Tamil movie. Overall, A very good movie after a long time.