Leo offers a thrilling cinematic experience with exceptional action sequences, but the film’s screenplay and emotional depth leave room for improvement.
Highlights
- Leo debuted on October 19, 2023, in standard and IMAX formats, as Vijay’s 67th lead role film.
- A star-studded ensemble includes Vijay as Parthiban “Parthi” / Leo Das, Sanjay Dutt as Antony Das, Arjun as Harold Das, Trisha as Sathya, and Gautham Vasudev Menon as Joshy Andrews, among others.
- The film follows the life of Parthi, a café owner and animal rescuer, who faces a startling revelation about his past as a gangster named Leo Das. His actions trigger events involving ruthless drug lords and a quest for redemption.
- Leo offers gripping action sequences and Vijay’s charismatic performance. However, the film is criticized for its inconsistent screenplay, lack of emotional depth, and a forced connection with the Lokesh Cinematic Universe.
- The film has received mixed reviews, with praise for its action and music, but critique for its storytelling and character connections.
In 2023, Indian cinema witnessed the release of “Leo,” an action-packed Tamil-language thriller directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj and produced by S. S. Lalit Kumar and Jagadish Palanisamy. Starring Vijay in the titular role, alongside a remarkable ensemble cast, “Leo” promised high-octane action and intense drama. This article explores the LEO review, release date, cast, plot, ratings, critics’ responses, and where to watch it, and concludes with a comprehensive overview.
Release Date for Movie
“Leo” hit theaters worldwide on October 19, 2023, in standard and IMAX formats. Initially known as “Thalapathy 67,” it officially marked Vijay’s 67th film as a lead actor. The film’s title was revealed shortly after its announcement in January 2023. Principal photography commenced in Chennai and included a schedule in Kashmir, with additional shooting in the same locations, concluding in mid-July. “Leo” boasts music by Anirudh Ravichander, cinematography by Manoj Paramahamsa, and editing by Philomin Raj.
Vijay’s ‘LEO’ was the #1 movie worldwide this weekend with $48.5M. pic.twitter.com/unf4iFTeEN
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) October 23, 2023
The Cast of Leo
The cast of Leo features a star-studded lineup:
- Vijay as Parthiban “Parthi” / Leo Das
- Sanjay Dutt as Antony Das
- Arjun as Harold Das
- Trisha as Sathya
- Gautham Vasudev Menon as Joshy Andrews
- George Maryan as Police Officer Napoleon
- Madonna Sebastian as Elisa Das
- Priya Anand as Deepa Andrews
- Mathew Thomas as Siddharth “Siddhu”
- Mysskin as Shanmugan
- Mansoor Ali Khan as Irudhayaraj D’Souza
- Babu Antony
- Denzil Smith
- Sandy Master
- Manobala
- Kamal Haasan
- Anurag Kashyap
Plot of Movie
Leo centers around the life of Parthiban, who resides in Theog with his family, running a café and rescuing animals with the help of Joshy. A significant turn of events occurs when he thwarts an attack by a spotted hyena that escaped from a circus, adopting the animal and naming it Leo. When he confronts and eliminates Shanmugan and his accomplices during a robbery at his café, Parthi’s life takes an unexpected twist. His photograph circulates across India, drawing the attention of Antony and Harold Das, who identify him as their son Leo Das, previously presumed dead in a fire at their tobacco factory in Telangana. Denying his past, Parthi endeavors to safeguard his family with the support of Officer Napoleon but realizes that he cannot escape his history. Consequently, he decides to confront his father and uncle for good.
Leo Review
Leo bears the hallmark of a Lokesh Kanagaraj film, offering a visually compelling world of antagonists while occasionally falling short in providing them a robust platform. Despite the presence of accomplished actors such as Sanjay Dutt and Arjun Sarja, the film lacks a climactic showdown between the protagonist and the antagonists.
The movie’s strength lies in its meticulously choreographed action sequences, credited to Anbariv and executed flawlessly by Vijay. The pre-interval segment, during which Parthi reveals his true identity as Leo, stands out as one of the film’s most remarkable moments. It exemplifies Vijay’s charisma and acting prowess. The flashbacks that depict Leo’s rise and fall as a gangster also contribute to the film’s engagement and are skillfully shot.
However, “Leo” falters in its screenplay, which fails to maintain a consistent level of engagement across its 164-minute runtime. The film invests time in character and plot development but loses its grip in the second half, becoming predictable and repetitive. Emotional depth and character connection, particularly between Parthi and Sathya, are lacking. Furthermore, the film’s attempt to connect with the previous films in the Lokesh Cinematic Universe is perceived as forced and superficial.
The music, composed by Anirudh Ravichander, adds energy and flair to the film, with songs like “Badass” and “Bloody Sweet” complementing the film’s tone and theme. The background score effectively enhances the impact of the action sequences. Manoj Paramahamsa’s cinematography captures the contrasting beauty of Kashmir and Telangana, while Philomin Raj’s editing maintains a smooth pace, albeit with a few scenes that could have been trimmed.
Critics Response
“Leo” has elicited mixed reviews from critics. While Vijay’s performance, the action sequences, music, and cinematography received praise, critiques centered on the screenplay’s inconsistencies, lack of emotional depth, a weak climax, and contrived connections within the Lokesh Cinematic Universe. The film maintains an average rating of 3 out of 5 stars across various platforms.
Where to Watch?
After its theatrical release on October 19, 2023, “Leo” is expected to be available for streaming on Netflix in the subsequent weeks, as the platform holds the streaming rights.
https://in.bookmyshow.com/explore/home/national-capital-region-ncr
Conclusion
“Leo” is a high-energy, commercial action film that deserves a theatrical viewing, delivering brilliant stunt sequences and showcasing Vijay’s dual roles as Parthi and Leo. However, for admirers of Lokesh Kanagaraj’s distinctive style and substance, “Leo” may leave them yearning for a more satisfying cinematic experience. The film tantalizes with its “bloody sweet” moments but could have reached greater heights with a tighter script and a more robust climax.
Ratings
| Aspect | Stars |
| Direction | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Dialogues | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Screenplay | ⭐⭐ |
| Music | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Acting | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Special Effects | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
