Wow! Such a good movie.

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

A pure cinematic treat! Crime noir pulled off perfectly well without violence Its like watching a maniratnam film in parts. THe scenery of Roja, the retribution theme of Dil Se (Uyire in Tamil) , the atmospheric thrill of Thirudha Thirudha and the grand feel cast assemble of Yuva ( Ayudha ezhuthu in Tamil)This is a story closely resembling the real life character called Veerapan, a well known bandit of South India mixed with the classic story of Rama and Sita legend. Genius!and the bestpart of the movie is the atmosphere , it feels like one is really living the bandit character on screen, feel his emotions and know what he is thinking. Amazing. A group of criminals, a police manhunt, a lush forest and a woman caught in between. The visuals are extraordinary, the atmosphere is dark and moody, the plot is terrific and the action is mind bogglingly flowing without any bloodshed and minimal pyrotechnicsThis is a must watch either on big screen or in HD home theater. Watch the atmospheric visuals come to life with beautiful scenery of a lush jungle, with rain effect put to good use in all scenes...This is a gritty and thrilling drama of abduction, adultery, crime , a wild goose chase and a revenge tale rolled into one, all occurring in a middle of the worst monsoon season and surprisingly well crafted in equal parts carrying a strong flavor of crime film noir straight out from a David Fincher movie . Definitely not worth missing for the tight screenplay and excellent cinematography. The trailers don't do any justice to this film. It has to be experienced on the big screenOne would love to think it cant be an Indian movie but though it is, it has little to do with conventional Indian film making antics but made as one that will challenge Hollywood with a genre bending tale with all the technical bells and whistles.Some critics may argue it is not maniratnam's best work, but definitely its Maniratnam's best turn towards a new direction ( Yuva, Guru) which no other director in the last few years have done. The feel of this movie is just marvellous ,natural and gritty. Of all maniratnams;'s movies , Raavanan is probably one that makes u feel the same way as as his other Roja and Kannathil Muthamittal.The film is another magnum opus from internationally acclaimed director Maniratnam. In case u haven't seen any of his well made films in the last 2 decades, its a privilege to see one , especially Ravana in which Maniratnam returns with a unprecedented bang at the box office

I personally feel that this movie has paved the path for the "END" of the golden era of ManiRatnam.Every Indian knows the capability and brilliance of ManiRatnam. Though he has had some duds at the box office even in his previous attempts no one has doubted his mastery over films.But I am sure that every loyal "Mani fan" or for that matter any viewer expecting quality movies would be thoroughly disappointed on watching this "CRAP".A film will never be rated as "GOOD" for any individual(s).This film boasts of a great technical crew...Rahman , Shreekar Prasad, Santosh Sivan,Manikandan,Sameer Chanda....and the list goes on.I have to accept the fact that every one has been very professional and loyal giving their 100% for the film except for two ....."ManiRatnam" and his beloved and so called brilliant wife "Suhasini".The most important aspects of films in India are " Story, Screenplay, Dialogue". The story of the film is a known one and hence no point on discussing it....though there could have been some interesting changes which would have made a familiar story ,interesting.Then the screenplay.I heard this "crap" by one of the members of technical crew after the film failed at box office ,saying "Mani wanted the viewers to have their own interpretations "- meaning ... the viewers were not good enough to understand the technical brilliance of Mani.WHAT A CRAP!!!!!!!!!!!!Then come to the outrageous and melo-dramatic,old fashioned ,irritating ,bla bla bla....dialogs.This would have summed up my point.I assume.The funny part is "SHE IS IN THE LINE TO DIRECT YET ANOTHER CRAP". OMG!!! save people..Now at last to acting.I am personally very disappointed to discuss this part at end....so has been the negatives of the film. Though the characterization of the actors is still a question mark there is no doubt in the part played by the actors.Vikram and Aish were equally brilliant and awesome and the chemistry really did work well.And others too did justice on their part.This is the first time ... I don't feel sorry for being critical about the film and the technical crew.So much were the expectations!!!!!!

What a man seeks from maniratnam's movies. Not but purity, poetry, beauty, artistic intensity(Very few can reach such depths) and finally truth. What is his intrinsic authority to define what right and what is wrong? Some of his movies are fierceful with electrifying emotions and some are merely soulful and poetic like torrents of silent river with the dancing of light and shadow. May sometimes intellectuals and mob can't find entertainment from his movies. But few are with vibrant and sensible hearts with child's like enthusiasm could feel the power, depth and humility in his movies. He is one of the greatest artists of our time which world couldn't able to understand. He didn't get fame what he deserves. Like the poems of rabindranath tagore, as you muse and feel more and more you will get more spiritual experience from his movies. Like terrance malik's movies his movies dissolve with nature and poetic sadness and with life's music. They will open our hearts to life, love and beauty. For those who want to know what life are, what are morals, what is right and what is wrong. Are they prefixed and reformulated. Or shall we explore, question ourselves with abundance of love in our hearts towards the things of world to know ourselves what is truth. That journey is RAAVANAN. Few may don't like this movie because they may not get thrill from the movie. Only sheer poetry, exploration of truth exists in the movie. Master story teller's hands are as soft as ever. Though, for this movie those are more complex because those are now more simpler.

I watched Raavanan the 2nd day of its release in a theater near Toronto. Like everyone I went for the movie with huge expectations and as a matter of fact I m a die hard Mani Ratnam's fan like other million people.To start of with, Raavanan has Mr. Ratnam's class written all over it right from the start till the end. To make things even more better, works of The Mozart of Madras Mr. Rahman, Santosh Sivan, Suhasini Mani Ratnam and Co have done an excellent job. And I m not surprised to see them at their best, as this is "A Mani Ratnam's film" ! The story might not be very new to Tamil cinema, but even a love story involving just two characters can be portrayed in a very classical manner and the screenplay can make the movie a big hit. Simple such example are Mr. Ratnam's old movies . A simple story could be directed in a very good way or a bad way. Mani always chooses the right way - Excellence and sheer CLASS! Vikram has reached new heights already, this character is a tough one , but the way he has essayed the character is top notch ! Kudos to him and I personally feel he is not utilized properly by Tamil Cinema. This actor has lot more potential to make it big, to take Tamil Cinema to the next level just like what Kamal Hassan has been doing.Aishwarya has a lot of scope to perform and proves her versatility once again. May be she saves her best for Mani's films I m not sure, but such a wonderful performance by the beauty Queen. Dances really well and makes her eyes do the talking in most scenes. Early in her Iruvar days to Raavanan, her success is for her hard work and dedication.I don't have anything to talk about Karthik and Prabhu as i can only be shocked if they don't give their best in all their movies. These seasoned actors are at their best like always. Priyamani has always been an actor who can balance her talents doing glamor along side roles with substance. Good talent to be nurtured for the future. She has gone long way post Paruthi Veeran.The music surely plays a big part in the movie. Rahman has done a superb job to make sure he delivers his best to his guru. I always felt bad about Ratnam partying ways with Ilayaraja, but may be it was a blessing in disguise as Ar Rahman came to the podium with a bang ! I hope Mani and Ilayaraja join hands some time in future.Vairamuthu's lyrics are powerful as always. DOP Mr.Sivan has given his all for this movie given the fact this movie was mostly shot in forests and with rain most of the times. Amazing talent ! I felt that I was watching the movie like a side actor in the sets and not from the theater, it was so very real.To summarize the whole story, even though its a Mani Ratnam's movie,I felt it wasn't his very best as he has handled tougher subjects and the screenplay lacks the master's touch in few places.I always consider and compare Mani Ratnam to Clint Eastwood as both these people share something in common - The passion for quality cinema ! For people who look for a excuse not to watch a movie in theaters, I would suggest you to watch it and see the visual in big screen as only then you can realize their hard work. Even if your not a Mani's fan, you should watch movies like this to support quality cinema and Indian cinema as a whole.I don't need to talk about Mani's fans, as by now most of them would have watched the movie. I don't like comparing his other movies as each are good in their own standards, this one stands right up there but his best is somewhere round the corner.Wonderful movie, very creative, excellent performance by all its lead artists and all together a complete wholesome entertainer by the one and only Master, Mr. Mani Ratnam ! Salute you