Movie Review: Coolie (2025)
As a lifelong Rajinikanth fan, I walked into Coolie on August 14, 2025, buzzing with excitement for what promised to be a fresh, family-oriented action drama from Lokesh Kanagaraj, outside his Lokesh Cinematic Universe (LCU). With Thalaivar’s iconic swagger and Kanagaraj’s stylish flair, I was ready for a cinematic treat. Drawing from Twitter reactions posted on August 14, 2025, and insights from web sources, here’s my detailed take on Coolie—a film that had me cheering, but also left me wanting more. Buckle up for my journey through this Rajinikanth spectacle, sprinkled with some fanboy enthusiasm
!Take on the Plot and Themes
Coolie steps away from Kanagaraj’s LCU (Vikram, Leo) with a standalone story about Deva, a coolie laborer navigating the gritty world of a port city, blending themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and survival. The “spiral format” Kanagaraj mentioned intrigued me, and I loved how the film aimed for family appeal with heartfelt moments. A Twitter post from August 14 called it “a story that hits the heart
,” and I felt that too—Rajinikanth’s character had an emotional pull that resonated deeply. But the vague trailer left me a bit lost going in, and I wasn’t alone; one tweet griped, “Trailer was too cryptic, still don’t get the story 
.” The ‘A’ certificate—Rajinikanth’s first in 36 years—surprised me, as the violence felt too intense for the family-friendly vibe they promised, a sentiment echoed by a Twitter user worried about kids missing out 
. While the “earned mass moments” delivered some goosebump-inducing scenes, the plot felt uneven at times, making me wish for a tighter narrative.Thoughts on Performances
Rajinikanth is Coolie’s lifeblood, and as a fan, I was floored
! His performance as Deva had me glued to the screen—those intense stares and minimal dialogues packed an emotional punch, and his action sequences were pure Thalaivar magic 
. A Twitter post from August 14 nailed it: “Thalaivar’s swag and depth are unreal 
.” But I’ll admit, some scenes leaned too heavily into fan-service, catering to us die-hards with over-the-top moments that felt forced. One tweet put it bluntly: “Too many Rajni glorification scenes, story takes a backseat 
.” The supporting cast, including Nagarjuna, Sathyaraj, Shruti Haasan, and a hyped Aamir Khan cameo, was a mixed bag. Shruti Haasan surprised me with her intensity, and Nagarjuna’s villainous turn was chilling 
, as one Twitter user raved. But Aamir’s cameo? It felt out of place, like a gimmick, and a tweet echoed my thoughts: “Aamir’s cameo broke the vibe 
.” Rajinikanth carried the film, but I wished the supporting roles gelled better.Take on Direction and Technical Aspects
Lokesh Kanagaraj’s direction had me in awe—his action choreography is next-level, with fight scenes that made me want to cheer
. Twitter posts from August 14 hyped the “insane character intros” and “visual spectacle,” and I couldn’t agree more; the cinematography was a feast for the eyes 
. But Anirudh Ravichander’s score let me down. I expected his signature bangers, but while some tracks worked, others felt flat. A tweet summed it up: “Anirudh’s BGM didn’t match Vikram’s energy 
.” The pacing was my biggest gripe—the 2-hour-48-minute runtime dragged, especially in the first half. A Twitter user noted, “Second half picks up, but first half tests patience 
,” and I felt that slog too. The ‘A’ certificate added gritty intensity, but it clashed with the family vibe I expected, making me question the target audience.What I Heard from the Audience
Twitter on August 14 was a rollercoaster of reactions. Fellow Rajinikanth fans were over the moon, with posts like, “#Coolie is a family entertainer with heart, Rajni rules!
,” mirroring my excitement for Thalaivar’s mass moments and the emotional core. Early reviews from an August 8 private screening, shared on Twitter, called it Rajinikanth’s “best since Kabali” with “vintage swag” 
, which had me nodding along. But not everyone was sold. A YouTube review shared on Twitter gave it 2/5 stars, slamming “cringe fan-service” and a “disjointed plot” 
, and I could see their point with some awkward scenes. Fans expecting a gritty LCU thriller were let down by the family tone, with one tweet saying, “Wanted Leo vibes, got melodrama 
.” The ‘A’ certificate sparked debate too—some saw it as bold for a “brutal thriller,” others worried it’d hurt box office chances. I leaned toward the latter, as it felt like a misstep for a family-aimed film.Analysis and Response
Coolie is a bold swing, banking on Rajinikanth’s charisma and Kanagaraj’s flair to deliver something unique. The standalone story and subtle marketing kept me intrigued, but the vague trailer and ‘A’ certificate left me scratching my head. As a fan, I loved Thalaivar’s larger-than-life moments and the stunning visuals, but the draggy pace, uneven score, and fan-service overload dulled the shine
. Twitter buzz shows it’s a hit for Rajinikanth loyalists like me and families okay with the violence, but action purists might leave disappointed. With a ₹350 crore budget and record pre-bookings, Coolie has blockbuster potential, but piracy concerns and the War 2 clash make that ₹1000 crore dream feel shaky. I wanted to love it fully, but it’s a near-miss that doesn’t hit all the marks.Verdict
Coolie is a Rajinikanth-driven spectacle
that had me cheering as a fan, with heartfelt moments and visual flair that light up the screen. But the slow pacing, flat score, and excessive fan-service keep it from greatness. If you’re a Thalaivar stan like me or love gritty yet emotional action dramas, Coolie will thrill you . For others, it might feel like a missed shot . I still had a blast, but I hoped for a bit more polish.Rating: 3.5/5