Captain Miller is Dhanush’s latest hit which is doing well in Tamil Nadu. The Telugu version has been released today and let’s see how it fares at the box office.
Story: The movie commences in pre-Independence India, where an elderly woman (Viji Chandrasekhar) addresses her underprivileged fellow villagers, expressing her belief that their deity will one day liberate them from oppression. The narrative transitions to a scene where a dacoit leader named Kannaiyan (Elangovan) is captured by the British and, in an act of betrayal, reveals the identity of ‘Captain Miller’ (Dhanush). Kannaiyan then recounts the tale of how an ordinary villager played by Dhanush transformed into the feared Captain Miller. As the plot unfolds, the audience witnesses Miller’s journey from being an army man to a dacoit and eventually a freedom fighter.
Performances: Captain Miller stands out as another exceptional achievement in Dhanush’s illustrious career. Dhanush captivates his audience, maintaining the enchantment that surrounds his performances. Be it his looks or body language, Dhanush shoulders the film till the end. Kannada superstar Sivarajkumar, portraying the people’s champion manages to win hearts with his charismatic performance, despite having limited screen time. Sundeep Kishan, in the role of a Muslim soldier, delivers a goosebump-inducing moment in the climax. Priyanka Mohan takes on a substantial role as the privileged princess who, for the greater good of the people, stands against her kin.
Technical Aspects: G.V. Prakash Kumar’s musical compositions seamlessly integrate with the storyline, while his background score elevates the energy levels during extended and occasionally repetitive sequences. Siddhartha Nuni’s cinematography stands out as a significant strength, skillfully recreating the period’s visual aesthetics through a diverse range of color tones. The film’s technical aspects, including production design, editing, and sound design, contribute significantly to its overall impact.
Analysis: Director Arun Matheswaran remains committed to his signature style of presenting intense and violent visuals unfolding in distinct chapters. Throughout the film, he strategically incorporates heroic moments for Dhanush, notably during his entry, the interval block, and the gripping climax, subtly nodding to commercial aesthetics.
However, despite the clarity in the story Arun aimed to convey, he also challenges the general audience with a relentless barrage of mindless gun shootings, nearly overshadowing the narrative. The initial half of the movie captivates with its bold and intriguing narrative, taking unexpected turns that keep the audience engaged.
Post the interval, the continuous action sequences contribute to a slowdown in pace. Fortunately, the narrative regains its momentum towards the conclusion, featuring an exciting plot twist that adds a thrilling touch to the overall story. There are some whistle-worthy scenes in the film and actors like Sundeep Kishan only enhance the viewing.
But one of the biggest drawbacks of the film is the slow pace and mood of the film. It is dark, gory, and serious and this might not go well with the Telugu audience. All those who like rustic action films will end up liking Captain Miller.
Verdict: Captain Miller is Dhanush’s one-man show. The film is filled with action and has a dark tone. The proceedings are predictable and Dhanush gives a solid performance as always. But the pace is slow, the subject is serious and runtime is also an issue. If you are okay with this, give Captain Miller a shot.
Bottom Line – Only for Dhanush’s performance
Rating: 2.5/5
