Maari 2 movie review: An enjoyable experience

Director: Balaji Mohan

Cast: Dhanush, Sai Pallavi, Tovino Thomas, Krishna, Varalaxmi Sarathkumar

Balaji Mohan is back with a sequel to his earlier local gangster movie Maari, which was released in 2015.

Maari (Dhanush) still continues to be the local thug of North Chennai with his close friend Kalai (Krishna), son of powerful gangster (who is no more) aiding him in his activities.  Though Maari indulges in all kinds of nefarious activities, one thing he is against is getting into drug trafficking.

Meanwhile, Thanatos aka Gangadhar Beeja (Tovino Thomas) who calls himself ‘God of Death’, a ruthless criminal escapes from prison and is out to kill Maari as he has a score to settle with him.  Apparently, Maari had killed Beeja’s brother (Vincent Ashokan). He joins hands with the opponents of Maari to take revenge on him. Towards its first step, with his wily act, he manages to create a rift between Kalai and Maari.  Meanwhile, there’s this Araatthu Anandhi (Sai Pallavi) an auto rickshaw driver who is madly in love with Maari.

Beeja waits for the right time to strike and almost kills Maari and Anandhi. But the duo along with their aides Sanikizhamai (Robo Shankar) and Idithangi (Vinod) escapes to Thenkasi and gets married. But life takes topsy-turvy for Maari and the situation compels him to return to Chennai after eight years.

Dhanush as usual steals the show as Maari who is neither good nor bad, but still make us root for him with his impeccable performance. It is Sai Pallavi in a well-written character who is a big revelation. She is overconfident yet endearing. And don’t miss her brilliant dance moves in ‘Rowdy Baby’ song alongside Dhanush. The number is easily the highpoint of the movie and the choreographer behind it is none other than Prabhu Deva.

Tovino Thomas to some extent looks menacing initially, but his character becomes clichéd in the latter parts. Krishna is convincing. Varalaxmi Sarathkumar’s potential is not utilized fully by Balaji Mohan. The first half is fast paced and enjoyable, but we tend to lose interest when the story takes an emotional approach post interval and ends up with a stretched climax. Also, too much of violence mars the pace. Balaji Mohan has incorporated enough elements in Dhanush’s character like carry forwarding punch lines including Senjiruven (I will finish you) from the first part, the recurring slow motion heroic walks replete with flipping cigarettes and gravity defying action scenes.

 There’s nothing much to boast about Yuvan Shankar Raja’s music, except for the peppy 'Rowdy Baby' song.