The Greatest of All Time (2024): “Not The GOAT, It’s The Sheep”



Director: Venkat Prabhu
Starring: Vijay, Prashanth, Prabhudeva, Sneha, Meenakshi Chaudhary
Producers: AGS Entertainment
Production House: AGS Entertainment
Music Director: Yuvan Shankar Raja
Cinematography: Siddhartha Nuni
Editor: Venkat Raajen
Language: Tamil
Genre: Action, Thriller
Runtime: 180 minutes

Plot:

The film centers on Gandhi, a veteran hostage negotiator and field agent working with the Special Anti-Terrorist Squad (SATS). After years of dedicated service, Gandhi is called in for a critical mission tied to a haunting past, one that forces him to confront personal and professional challenges. Gandhi’s dual role includes that of his son, Jeevan, who plays a key part in the unfolding drama. Together, they face a complex situation with life-altering consequences​.

Performances:

  • Vijay:
    Vijay plays a dual role as Gandhi and Jeevan. His portrayal of the aged Gandhi is commendable, fitting well into the serious and seasoned character. However, his de-aged role as Jeevan does not hit the mark, often coming off as jarring and unconvincing.

  • Prashanth:
    Prashanth brings good energy to his role, excelling in dance sequences. Though his performance in the action scenes felt somewhat strained, he still managed to hold his own.

  • Prabhudeva:
    Prabhudeva, known for his dance prowess, lives up to his reputation in this movie. His acting was adequate, but his dance moves were the highlight, adding excitement to the musical numbers.

  • Sneha:
    Though Sneha had limited screen time, her performance in the emotional sequences was noteworthy, adding depth to her character.

  • Supporting Cast:
    The supporting cast played their parts well, with key mentions to the team members of Gandhi’s squad. However, Meenakshi Chaudhary’s role felt underutilized, with her character offering little substance.


Technical Aspects:

  • Direction:
    Venkat Prabhu offers a routine script with predictable twists and turns. The concept of dual roles and de-aging was ambitious but ultimately backfired. The director could have focused on crafting a more engaging story, especially considering Vijay’s star power.

  • Music:
    Yuvan Shankar Raja’s background score was passable, but the music, in general, fell short of expectations. One mass song stood out, but even that couldn’t elevate the overall experience of the film.

  • Cinematography:
    The visuals were inconsistent, with some scenes looking sharp while others felt glitchy and unclear. This inconsistency detracted from the film's overall viewing experience.


Strengths:

  • A few engaging scenes
  • One good song
  • Some unexpected twists


Weaknesses:

  • Poor de-aging of Vijay
  • Overly long runtime
  • Predictable storyline
  • Lackluster music


My Personal Take on Cinema:

The Greatest of All Time is a film that promises more than it delivers. While the second half shows improvement over the first, the overall story is predictable and fails to keep the audience engaged. Venkat Prabhu could have delivered a better film with the star power at his disposal, but the end result feels like a missed opportunity. Yuvan Shankar Raja’s music, which is usually a strength, also disappoints. Vijay’s de-aging was particularly hard to watch, making certain scenes a struggle to sit through. While there are a few redeeming moments, such as a solid dance number, the film falls short of being a memorable entry in Vijay's filmography. Cameo appearances provide brief excitement but do little to improve the film. Ultimately, The Greatest of All Time is an avoidable movie.


Rating

2.25/5

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