Leo is a movie that many people were really excited about this year. It’s directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj and stars Thalapathy Vijay. It has been released worldwide and people were eager to see if it lived up to their high expectations. Let’s see what the movie is all about!
Plot of Leo Movie
Parthiban played by Thalapathy Vijay lives a peaceful life with his wife, Sathya played by Trisha, and their two kids in Himachal Pradesh. They run a coffee shop. But things change dramatically when Parthiban becomes a local hero after a brave act. This catches the attention of Antony Das played by Sanjay Dutt and Harold Das played by Arjun, who think Parthiban might be their long lost relative, Leo Das. So, who is Parthiban, and what’s his connection to Leo Das? Why is Antony after Parthiban and his family? Can Parthiban protect his family from the danger? All these questions are answered in “Leo.”
What’s Good About Leo
Leo starts off with a lot of excitement. The director, Lokesh Kanagaraj, tells the story at a quick pace. He introduces Thalapathy Vijay’s character and shows how he transforms from a calm coffee shop owner into someone who’s ready to do anything to save his family. The action scenes in the cafe, market, and the climax before the middle of the movie are the highlights of the first half.
There are also some touching family moments early in the film that help us connect with the main characters. The friendship between Thalapathy Vijay and Gautam Menon is engaging throughout the film. Although the second half of the movie has some issues, there’s an exciting chase scene on a snowy highway and a surprising twist in the last 30 seconds.
| Title | Leo (2023) |
|---|---|
| Director | Lokesh Kanagaraj |
| Cast | Sanjay Dutt, Thalapathy Vijay, Trisha Krishnan, Arjun Sarja, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Priya Anand |
| Writer | Lokesh Kanagaraj |
| Rating | 2.5 |
Lokesh Kanagaraj also introduces the “Leo Cinematic Universe” (LCU), which, while not as seamless as expected, adds an intriguing element to the film and generates discussions. Thalapathy Vijay’s strong presence and performance are the film’s biggest strengths. He portrays a common man willing to risk everything to protect his family.
The song “Naa Reddy” fits well in the second half and gives the audience a break. The background music by Anirudh enhances the impact of various scenes, and the production quality is top-notch.
What Doesn’t Work for Leo
“Leo” has a very simple and predictable plot. While the first half is interesting and sets up the conflict for the second half, the latter part of the film feels slow. The attempts to add action to cover up the weak story don’t work well.
The backstory of Leo, Antony, and Harold is long and doesn’t create the emotional connection it should. Sanjay Dutt’s character is not well-developed, making the movie’s villain weak. The conflict between Sanjay Dutt and Thalapathy Vijay doesn’t engage the audience. The action scenes become repetitive in the second half, and the climax falls short. It’s actually the last 30 seconds that inject life into the film after a promising first half, but the second half is a letdown.
Thalapathy Vijay’s emotional outburst toward Trisha lacks impact because her character’s story in the second half isn’t convincing. The highly-anticipated hyena scene doesn’t live up to the hype, and the dialogues lack the expected intensity.
Performances in Leo
“Leo” relies heavily on Thalapathy Vijay’s powerful performance. He effortlessly handles various emotional and action scenes, showing a new side of his acting skills. Sanjay Dutt has a strong presence but isn’t given a substantial role. Arjun’s character also lacks depth, and Trisha does well in her limited role. Gautam Menon, as a police officer, stands out as a surprise package. George Maryan, as Constable Napolean, continues his role from the film “Kaithi.” The rest of the cast delivers solid performances.
Verdict of Leo
“Leo” is successful in its first half, thanks to the quick storytelling, Thalapathy Vijay’s excellent performance, and the introduction of the “Leo Cinematic Universe.” However, the movie suffers from a simple plot, a weak villain, and routine writing in the second half, making it somewhat disappointing. While Vijay’s fans will likely enjoy the film, others may find it worth watching only once. It’s important to manage expectations because “Leo” isn’t on the same level as Vijay’s previous films like “Vikram” or “Kaithi.”
At the box office, “Leo” is expected to do well, benefiting from the excitement around its release and Lokesh Kanagaraj’s decent content.
