The Greatest of All Time: A Joyous Tribute to Thalapathy Vijay, Packed with Surprises

Thalapathy Vijay teams up with renowned director Venkat Prabhu for the first time in 'The Greatest of All Time' (GOAT), and the result is a colossal cinematic spectacle. As Vijay’s penultimate film, the anticipation was sky-high, and the movie quickly secured its place as the biggest Tamil release of the year. Produced by AGS Entertainment, the film's star-studded cast and ambitious plot promise much, but does it deliver?

The story kicks off with SATS agents MS Gandhi (Thalapathy Vijay), Sunil (Prashanth), Kalyan (Prabhu Deva), and Ajay (Ajmal) on a mission to thwart terrorists. In the process, they encounter Rajiv Menon (Mic Mohan) in a past altercation that alters Rajiv’s fate forever. A devastating tragedy soon follows: Gandhi loses his young son, Jeevan (also Vijay), leading him to abandon his perilous career. Fast forward 20 years, Gandhi unexpectedly crosses paths with a now-grown Jeevan. What begins as a joyful reunion spirals into an electrifying cat-and-mouse chase between father and foe.

Vijay dazzles in dual roles, portraying both Gandhi and Jeevan with contrasting energy. The film is essentially a celebration of Vijay's versatile persona, leaving no stone unturned in presenting him in every avatar fans love. However, while Vijay shines, the supporting cast—Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, and Jayaram—are less memorable due to underdeveloped characters. Mic Mohan’s villainous turn as Rajiv Menon lacks the menace needed for a lasting impression, and although actors like Sneha, Laila, and Meenakshi Chaudhary add to the visual appeal, their roles feel underutilized. Premgi and Yogi Babu inject some light-hearted comic relief, keeping the pace lively.

Venkat Prabhu leans heavily into the fan service, delivering a film brimming with Easter eggs, fourth-wall breaks, surprise cameos, and pop-culture nods. His signature twists and 'Marvel-esque' moments inject excitement into the narrative. The film’s technical feats are also worth noting—de-aging Vijay was executed seamlessly, and through VFX wizardry, Captain Vijayakanth makes a memorable cameo. Action-packed sequences and a riveting climax set against a CSK cricket match backdrop provide a thrilling close.

On the downside, the film falters in its writing. The plot, though engaging, follows a predictable trajectory, and at three hours, the movie feels overly stretched. A more concise screenplay would have sharpened the impact. Most of the characters beyond Vijay’s dual roles fade into the background, leaving little emotional connection for the audience. Despite these weaknesses, Venkat Prabhu’s inventive twists manage to keep viewers hooked, although a few glaring plot holes detract from the overall experience.

Musically, Yuvan Shankar Raja’s background score hits the right notes, but the songs themselves are just decent but poorly placed in the second half. Siddhartha Nuni’s vibrant cinematography captures the stunning locales, but Venkat Raajen’s editing could have benefitted from tighter pacing. Dhilip Subbarayan’s action choreography and the impressive VFX, particularly in the de-ageing sequences, were standout elements, though other special effects were less polished.

Verdict: 'The Greatest of All Time' is a high-octane celebration of Vijay’s star power, delivering fan service in spades. The movie offers an entertaining watch.