'James' review: It's Puneeth Rajkumar's show all the way!
Beloved late Kannada superstar Puneeth Rajkumar is out there to enthrall you one last time in Chethan Kumar-directed James, which was released on what would have been his 47th birthday (March 17). And, fans have been thronging cinemas in large numbers to watch his swansong film. To recall, Rajkumar breathed his last on October 29, 2021, after suffering a massive heart attack. Here's our review.
What is 'James' all about?
In James, Rajkumar plays the role of Santosh Kumar—inspired by the iconic "James Bond" character—who is the manager of a security agency. When Vijay Gayakwad (Srikanth Meka)—one of the members of a syndicate that manages crime in Bangalore and abroad—is threatened for his life, he hires Kumar. What happens next and who Kumar really is, among other aspects, form the rest of the story.
A one-man show by Rajkumar!
He sings, dances like only he can, bashes up the bad guys, and has you swooning over him with his one-liners and clever comedy. Rajkumar is a charmer and James makes you really emotional—when you realize it's the last time you are seeing anything like this on the big screen. There's also a cameo by Appu's brother, Raghavendra Rajkumar, making things even more emotional.
Technical departments give their best, deserve appreciation
The film looks rich and stylish and is backed by spectacular visuals, courtesy of cinematographer Swamy J Gowda; the high-quality production value is evident throughout. Thankfully, there aren't many duets, and the songs composed by Charan Raj give the movie the push it rightfully deserves. Though the dialogues might seem a tad mechanical, they have an easy flow. And, the pre-climax twist works wonderfully!
Too many characters make it difficult to keep track
All the villains—played by Sarathkumar, Meka, Aditya Menon, and John Kokken, among others—seem dapper but unfortunately, they have very unidimensional characters. And, since there are too many villains, beyond a point, you just can't keep track of who killed whom! Priya Anand looks pretty but hardly has anything to do in the movie. Anu Prabhakar and other actors in minor characters are also wasted.
Befitting tribute to Rajkumar that will remain in our hearts
James is a total Rajkumar show and it would be an understatement to say Kannada cinema would be thrilled to bits with the film. Starting with the "Happy Birthday" card to the end credits where major accomplishments of the actor's life have been listed—fans are sure to have a bittersweet experience watching this pulsating James Bond-ish ride. Adieu, Appu! James bags 3.5 stars.
