Plot:

Arjun (Vasanth Ravi) is an ACP trying to teach a lesson to a crime syndicate that has been involved in stealing precious temple idols. The syndicate is led by Varma (Vinayakan), a ruthless leader. When Arjun faces a huge crisis while executing his anti-smuggling operation, his brave father, Tiger Muthuvel Pandian aka Muthu (Rajinikanth as a retired cop), enters the scene. How Tiger morphs into a figurative Dinosaur and pulverizes the mafia using his brains and connections is what the rest of the film is all about.  

Performances:

`Petta` and `Kabali` tried to present a new Rajini. In contrast, `Annaatthe` and `Darbar` didn`t make even a semblance of an attempt to respect the general audience`s yearning for distinctive acting. As against directors Siva and AR Murugadoss, director Nelson here lets the iconic star deliver a non-generic act. That`s why Rajini looks jaw-dropping in a number of scenes. Anirudh`s flawless score only makes him look all the more arresting.

The cameo appearance by Mohan Lal (as Mathew) is more impactful if you go purely by the style quotient. But Shiva Rajkumar`s cameo achieves more in terms of the story.

Vinayakan is apt in the role of an antagonist whose machinations know no bounds only in speech. Vasanth Ravi is subtle, while Mirnaa Menon as his wife and Ramya Krishna as his mother don`t get to do much in the second half. Jackie Shroff`s presence in the trailer was uninspired. In the movie, too, he is much the same. Sunil plays Blast Mohan, a clownish matinee idol. Yogi Babu is fun to watch once again after the recent `Maaveran` (`Mahaveerudu` in Telugu).

Tamannaah Bhatia`s cameo is okayish. The `Kaavala` song is enjoyable on the big screen.

Technical Departments:

Music: Anirudh delivers priceless output. He is the unseen `idol` of the movie.

Cinematography: Neat!

Action choreography: Stun Siva knows his brief.

Production values: Cheers to Sun Pictures

Analysis:

Director Nelson covers himself in glory after the disastrous `Beast` (that film would have suited a medium-range hero more). Some portions in `Jailer` too would have suited a young star hero better instead of a legend like Rajini. Nelson being Nelson and Sun Pictures being Sun Pictures, the best technical team has been enlisted to take the film to the next level. Anirudh`s music makes this a thorough superstar vehicle. Any other composer would have left `Jailer` feel like a run-of-the-mill star vehicle. That`s the difference that Anirudh brings to some spectacles.

The second half is mildly disappointing in the stretch where Sunil, Tamannaah and others come in. The climax, again, offers some paisaa vasool moments, complete with a reveal.

Merits:

A restrained, impeccable Rajinikanth.

Anirudh`s blasting score.

The storyline.

The climax.

Comedy quotient in the first half.

Character arcs.

Demerits:

A relatively less satisfying second half.

A largely weak villain whose actions don`t befit the scale of his crimes.

Many coincidences that feel contrived.

Overall Rating: 3/5

Box-Office Verdict: It`s a hit!