Unlike the better of these recent vehicles, “Vettaiyan” often coddles viewers with goofy declamatory dialogue—my favorite line: “Seems the price of integrity is death!”—and by-the-numbers action and musical sequences.

The audience gets its share of Rajni magic and Bachchan intensity and that's well worth the price of an admission ticket. It's old-school entertainment at its best.

Vettaiyan is massy treat for Thalaivar fans with supreme performances by the impeccable ensemble.

Vettaiyan is a mixed bag and doesn't do justice to either Superstar Rajinikanth and his legacy or to director TJ Gnanvel...