Tamil superstar Thalapathy Vijay's Varisu released in theaters worldwide today amidst decent expectations. Here's what we have to say after watching the Vamshi Paidipally directorial. 

Story: Vijay Rajendran (Vijay) is a happy-go-lucky man who has a free spirited nature. But everything changes after the unexpected death of his foster father Rajendra (Sharath Kumar) as JP (Prakash Raj) starts a feud in the family. How does Vijay deal with the fiasco and set things right in his family?

How did the actors perform?

Vijay is the star of the show and he shoulders the film with his composed and well-versed act. He looks charming in the role of a loved yet estranged son. He carries the right demeanor and personality for this role. 

The supporting cast is an ensemble one with the likes of Prakash Raj, Jayasudha, Sharath Kumar, Rashmika Mandanna, and others occupying the same. These seasoned actors deliver the right impetus for their respective roles. 

What about the technical finesse?

The film boasts of elite-class technical finesse as the frames and visual composition look super-rich. The cinematography is of top-tier quality and so are the production values. 

The music and background score are adequate for this family entertainer. Thaman has done a fine job with the soundtrack. His work needs to be duly noted as he has given his best. Editing could have been better though. There's a fair deal of lag and that could've been avoided to make for a crisp watch. 

Analysis: Varisu has a routine family emotions thread and the Telugu audience are very much accustomed to the same. This film appears to be an amalgamation of films like Ala Vaikunthapurramulo, Gautham SSC, and others. 

But there's some freshness in terms of commercial aspects in the second half. Vijay excels in emotional and commercial sequences with his trademark grace and elegance. He is ably supported by the rest of the cast. 

Comparatively, the latter half has more commercial appeal with the emotions, fights, and commercial highs when compared to the rather dragged-out and slow-paced first half.

Verdict: Varisu is a middling family drama with enough things acting in its favor to make for a decent watch this Sankranthi season. Vijay is the star of the show with his towering presence. 

Rating: 2.5/5