Lokesh is one of my favorite filmmakers on earth, so I mean this with nothing but love: Outside of Master, he’s really a first-half filmmaker, and many of his films, while very good, never meet the highs of the scene that hits right before intermission (Vikram, a GREAT film, being the biggest offender). That all said, Coolie is no different and features Lokesh’s most incoherent second half, maybe ever, but you know what? Who cares.

Rajinikanth is unbelievable, giving a truly funny and moving performance. The action, particularly the fights, is astonishing. Lokesh is one of our best directors of action after all. And I loved how much of a love letter to labor this is. One of the most violently pro-union films ever made. Anirudh’s music is excellent, maybe my favorite score of his. There’s also a “Loyola College Laila” drop during a fight that had me levitating. 

Really dug this. Plays like a legacy sequel but for the concept of Rajinikanth as a movie star. At almost 75 years old, I don’t know a single star of his age who can still do what he does.