Familiar yet functional
‘Phoenix’
– Review
The movie begins with a shocking incident: a teenager named Surya (Surya Sethupathi) brutally murders an MLA, Karikalan (Sampath Raj), in broad daylight.
This act lands Surya in a juvenile reformatory, where he faces relentless assassination attempts orchestrated by Karikalan’s vengeful wife, Maya (Varalaxmi Sarathkumar).
The film then seamlessly weaves in flashbacks, revealing Surya’s boxing background and the tragic motivations behind his violent act.
Debutant director Anl Arasu, leveraging his expertise as a stunt choreographer, crafts ‘Phoenix’ as an unabashed vehicle to establish Surya Sethupathi as an action hero.
The film is neatly divided into two halves: Surya’s survival in the reformatory and the revelation of his backstory.
The action sequences are undoubtedly the film’s highlight. Surya dispatches multiple attackers with choreographed precision, turning his prison cell into a one-man demolition zone.
While the emotional backstory aims to add depth, the core revenge theme feels somewhat familiar, echoing countless similar narratives from earlier decades.
Surya Sethupathi, in his first lead role, delivers a raw and committed performance. His impressive mixed martial arts (MMA) skills and intense screen presence are notable, suggesting a talent to watch out for.
His commitment to the physical demands of the role is commendable; he moves with genuine agility and delivers convincing punches, wisely keeping dialogue minimal to let the action speak.
Varalaxmi Sarathkumar shines in her menacing antagonist role, adding weight to the central conflict.
Devadarshini and Sampath Raj also deliver solid supporting performances, with J. Vignesh and Abi Nakshathra rounding out the North Chennai boxing backstory effectively.
‘Phoenix’ is technically sound. R. Velraj’s cinematography captures the gritty violence with visceral impact, and Sam C.S.’s background score perfectly matches the film’s energetic pace.
Rating: 3.75/5
By Naveen
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