I truly don't know what is the original title. 'Mass' or 'Masss' or 'Massu' or 'Massu Engira Masalimani'. Since 'Mangatha' I haven't seen any Venkat Prabhu's films. He has lost his midas touch. His films are used to be youthful and fun, but not anymore. This was a different than his usual theme, but did not deliver. Particularly, I hated the graphics. Those CGI characters ruined the film in the initial part, I thought it was a very cheap thing I ever seen in a big production film. The action sequences were so stupid as well. The comedies were okay, but still it had lots of references of old films. So you can't enjoy them if you are not familiar with the original.Surya is a very dedicated actor that you would find in Kollywood today, but the filmmakers are not using that properly. Compared to any other actors, he does many varieties of films. I watched it only for him and nothing else. I appreciate the experimental theme, but they did not get a better screenplay. The storyline looked decent, especially the flashback, but did not develop well. Like what the title hints, it was too much mass which suits better for Tollywood fans. Might be Surya fans or Venkat's would like it, sadly I'm not one. Surely you will have some laughs, other than that this is not good. So skipping it is not a bad option.3/10
... View MoreWith the summer at its peak, we have Suriya and Venkat Prabhu coming out with their Masss (Massu Engira Maasilamani) in an attempt to cool it down for the masses a bit, with a breezy entertainer. When we have a star like Suriya on board, directors may sometimes go overboard in trying to play to the actor's strengths, diluting their core competencies in the process. But VP has stood his ground and his satirical touches, cheeky & funny elements are all over Masss. Of course there are a few twists in the tale as it plays along and the supernatural element to add more spice. So, to address the genre of the film, it isn't the typical horror comedy along the lines of Yaamirukka Bayamey or Kanchana 2, but a spirits-driven commercial cocktail with some purpose, motive and solid emotions too.Suriya carries the movie on his strong shoulders and the kind of energy and youthful charm that he exudes is incredible. He plays a street smart con-man and even after the entry of the supernatural elements, a consistency is maintained in his character graph and the director deserves a pat on his back. Masss is definitely an addition to his list of engaging films as he performs, emotes, dances, fights and romances with the ease of the pro, that he is. Venkat Prabhu seems to have gelled well with Suriya, and it shows on screen. To experience more on what Suriya has done in the film, just head to a theater nearby. We aren't writing anything more about his role! Since the film has some fantasy and paranormal elements, we have to suspend disbelief and just soak it in. There are a plethora of other actors such as Riyaz Khan, Parthiban, Samuthirakani, Sreeman, Karunaas, Sanjay Bharathi etc, and VP has given each of them well-defined little parts. Premgi is seen in a completely different dimension, but of course with his trademark quirks, lines and 'dry comedy'. Nayanthara and Pranitha look graceful and get a few key, pivotal scenes in the overall picture.Yuvan Shankar Raja is another heavyweight in the film along with Suriya, and his background score does all that is required - elevate, emotionally move and resonate. The Masss theme is used at the apt moments to aid the screen presence of the lead man. Among the songs, Poochandi is an enjoyable little sequence despite being dark and grungy. It is a tribute to Michael Jackson and Suriya's dance moves are exemplary. Piravi comes at a beautiful moment and quite a lot happens during its course. The film's EQ (emotional quotient) is at a peak during Piravi and it is easily the best song. The good thing is, both these songs aren't just 'song sequences' but are integrated with interesting scenes.The film's run time is a fairly crisp 2 hours 30 minutes and it is a packed affair with just a few blips along the way. Editor Praveen knows how VP's films work and being his 50th film, the experienced professional has definitely been watchful. Kudos to DoP R.D.Rajasekhar too for his 25th film, and he must have been required to keep the VFX part too, in mind, while canning many scenes. The VFX and CG works are a major factor in the film, and all the technicians who have worked on this aspect must be lauded. Given all the deadlines that the team must have faced, the overall VFX work definitely isn't tacky.Watch out for the end-credits bloopers like always, and leave the hall with a smile as Masss ought to be a satisfying experience. It has the expected Venkat Prabhu elements, the crowd-pleasing supernatural factors treated in a slightly different way and of course Suriya in all his glory.
... View MoreAlright so this movie begins as a non-genre movie. U cant guess what this movie is about. the first few minutes is just for fun warm up like part. Then comes the starting point to the story-line. At this point you would have guessed what genre it belongs to.Yes Horror-comedy. It is something new that Surya and VP crew have tried out. I appreciate him for that. the movie has a lot of twists and turns in it which i obviously will not reveal even though i have checked the *spoiler alert*. The movie is funny until Surya turns his hairstyle. Confusing? Watch the movie and you will know. Then comes the villains. You will only get to see the main antagonist in the second half. The movie is a sure pick for movie lovers. Most dint look like villains though. The best thing about this movie is the viewers will not be able to guess in most scenes. The first half however, is very enjoyable then comes the second half. Second half makes you wait for the next scene to know what will happen. As for the music, Yuvan has done a good work. This will mark his comeback as well as his whole team's. Just 3 songs but all are very enjoyable. as per surya this is his comeback since singam 2. Premji has done a good work. His best role in his career as of yet. On the whole the whole team of Venkat prabhu has given a good comeback from their previous failure Biriyani.Here are the flaws, like in most commercial movies nowadays, the heroine loses her place, she comes in like a cameo actress. No importance for her. Some unwanted song and very few unwanted scenes makes it a little longer. Some antagonists seem little funny to believe them to be villains. On the whole, the movie is a good entertainer and a comeback for Surya and everyone who worked in VP's crew. Please say no to piracy and watch it in cinemas. :)
... View MoreEvery time Venkat Prabhu's movie hits the theatres the expectation is to see variety with a bash of youthful energy, and the ace director this time has adopted the most successful genre in the recent times- horror comedy. Both stars Venkat Prabhu and Suriya have been aching to get back to the business after Anjaan bombed at BO and Massu seems to have laid the road, let's dig in and see what's spooky about it.Plot:Horror Comedy is quite an interesting concept and now it's not far away from being deemed as "Done and dusted", well here is VP with a new trick up his sleeve. Considering the genre of the movie, the lesser you know its better. The movie kicks off with Suriya and Premji two bonded-for- life amigos, who thrive on petty robberies. A song, action and a pot boiling chase stops at an accident after which Suriya is bestowed with a super natural power of seeing dead people. Why, what and how he deals with the power is to watch and relish.Suriya and Premji set the pace of movie with light hearted comedy amidst spooky super natural elements in a rather interesting way. A horror movie is never complete without a flashback and a strong backstory. In 'Massu' you do see them after a series of VP's usual topsy turvy twists. When we say Horror, there is a big expectation of a scary road down the lane with some thrills and fear, Masss is more of a "Dealing with spirit's and their emotions" kind of movie and would be a long shot to put it in Horror genre. The first half is about how Suriya blends with his character of Massilamani the Masss, accepts his fear factor and channelize it to make it a living out of it. Once the core plot starts unveiling, the later part of second half does become very predictable and the screenplay chugs along with just the entertainment quotient to make it a fair play.The "other" Suriya is a surprise element and VP touches the character with a Sri Lankan Tamil flavor and kudos to Suriya for pulling it rather brilliantly with the help of Rajasekar's perfect cinematography, not to forget the CGI effects through the movie giving life to the spirits. Nayanthara and Praneetha are the two leading ladies in 'Massu' and they have little to offer to the script and merely play love bugs.VP's movies are always rich in casting, an ensemble cast of biggies, and a few cameos are his signature style. In Masss while Arvind, Jai, Vijay Vasanth appear in a cameo, two other important stars Parthiban and Samuthrakani add their star value. Both of them have meaty roles as a policeman and a politician, good or bad? Well watch and find out.Things that stand out:Suriya's characterization as Masss the hero and as a Srilankan Tamilian is commendable, as with all of VP's movies, he brings out the best out of his heroes. Suriya's dialogue delivery and screen presence catapults the movie forward. To quote a scene, the one in which Suriya feels for his friend Premji in front of Nayanthara is hilarious. VP has been stereotyped as the director who loves party hard movies, a bit of adult humor and all that but in Masss he has steered clear of those elements and has given a wholesome family entertainer with an interesting storyline for the summer. As much as we ridicule Premji's antics we cannot but admire him here for his timely tickles and his funny body language, which make a definite impact in Masss. Yuvan's music is certainly not the best, but the Poochandi and the BGM in the revenge sequences are a definite treat. The Poochandi song starts off in MJ's thriller style and then moves in good spirit, you really have to applaud VP for placing the song at the perfect juncture of the movie. A Special mention to stunt master Silva in the first half, for the car chase and fights made up for the action ingredients required for the commercial flick.Things that could have been better:The film is spanned around 155 minutes, but it's those predictable scenes that make the sequences look even longer than reality. The Editing work in the first half is crisp especially with the one liners and comedy scenes not dragging, but loses steam in the second opening doors for improvement. VP's known for his signature style delivery of his intended storyline, Masss however is little less on the funny quotient and rather relies and thrives heavily on Suriya's super strength and mass factor. As with most of VP's movies the heroines don't have much of a part and a mature actress like Nayanthara could have been used better.Verdict : In all, the movie is a good watch for this late summer to quench your thirst with laughs and occasional surprises.
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