Twin brothers Athreya and Sethuraman were born 180 seconds apart and they are quite opposite in personality. Sethuraman is a brilliant scientist and engineer and is responsible for the Phoenix Watch Company becoming one of India's most successful companies. Elder brother Athreya is a self-proclaimed villain, someone who will use you then dispose of you once your utility is over.
When Dr. Sethuraman successfully engineers a watch that allows the wearer to time-travel, Athreya seeks to obtain the watch at any cost.
Thus begins the science fiction action film 24, a Tamil time travel treasure. Here are five reasons to watch this film:
1. An Intelligent and Entertaining Narrative
One of the challenges of time travel tales is that they require a certain logic.
The author must adequately address the questions: If only the present moment exists, how could we travel to the past or the future? What is the reason the time traveler wants to travel? What is it that opens the door to make time travel possible? Can a person time travel backwards in time without colliding with him- or herself? Can you travel forward in time to events yet to happen? What are the events that connect to other events? What is the impact of changing the outcome of events that have already happened?
It's complicated.
Fortunately, writer and director Vikram Kumar addresses these questions by allowing the characters to time travel in a way that limits their ability to impact the space-time continuum.
The film is full of the standard twists and turns found in all good stories and there are plenty of seemingly insignificant events that suddenly become a significant part of the story. Just when you think you've figured things out, you are proven wrong.
2. Actor Suriya
Playing multiple characters in a film is standard fare for Indian films.
In 24, Suriya creates three personas who are so different that you hardly recognize them as played by the same actor.
Dr. Sethuraman is meek, but confident that he can outwit his brother which he does. Several times.
Athreya is forceful and clever but is only focused on how to use others to achieve his villainous goals. He's the underlying threat the permeates the story and moves it forward.
Mani, the "watch mechanic", is a happy-go-lucky spirit who discovers a watch that allows him to travel in time. At first he uses it to flit and flirt but, once he discovers that others are aware of and actively seeking the device, he puts his efforts into finding out more about the watch and resolving the problems of the past.
One of the minor, but memorable scenes in the film is when Mani finally opens the mysterious old box that has been sitting around his clock shop for years. His little surprised laugh to discover it contains another watch reminds you of the authenticity that Suriya brings to his roles.
3. Accessible Time Travel Technology
Unless you have a genetic disorder that causes you to involuntarily travel through time like Henry DeTamble in The Time Traveler's Wife, you will need some major know-how and some powerful technology to take you there and back.
For 24, Vikram Kumar decided to do something a little different yet strangely familiar.
"Once you go into time travel, then the most important thing is the machine. What does the protagonist use to travel in time? They've use cars. They've use these chairs with these spinning wheels. They've used so many different kinds of machines to travel in time. But I felt the only machine that associates with time is a watch."
The design of the time travel watch is complicated enough to infer that a genius mind created it, yet simple enough for the audience to understand how it works.
4. Steampunk Design
Steampunk is a subgenre of science fiction or science fantasy that incorporates technology and aesthetic designs inspired by 19th-century industrial steam-powered machinery.
24 has a rich steampunk feel to it, from the design of Dr. Sethuraman's laboratory to Mani's clock shop to the use of an actual steam engine train for a major plot development.
The set design offers extraordinary opportunities for wonder. The audience engages with the design, wondering, What does this do?
The production designers created technology with charm which almost becomes a character itself within the film.
5. Award Winning Supporting Cast
Many recognizable award-winning actors appear in the film in key roles. While they may not have a large share of screen time, their performances enrich the story.
As Mani's mother, Saranya Ponvannan both challenges and connects with her son as a loving single mother. Her narration of the story of her long lost family is particularly powerful.
As the patriarch of a large family, Girish Karnad is noble in his role as he reminds his family of the importance of the words said to each other. He is thoughtful, kind and welcoming.
As Mani's friend, Sathyan is comical but not ridiculous. He isn't playing for laughs but is integral to the story.
As Athreya's sidekick Mithran, Ajay is obedient but intimidating. It is unclear where his dedication to Athreya comes from, but it is clear that it is unwavering.
As Dr. Sethuraman's wife Priya, Nithya Menen also sings the lullaby in the Telugu version of the soundtrack.
Finally, Samantha Ruth Prabhu's previous experience working with Suriya in Anjaan gives her an advantage in playing Mani's romantic (but somewhat confused) interest, Satya.
With music by award-winning composer A. R. Rahman, the songs and background score support and enhance the narrative . In particular, "My Twin Brother" is positively diabolical and "Kaalam Yen Kadhali" is an entertaining celebration of the magic of time travel.
Message from Suriya
#VikramKumar #24TheFilm @arrahman @MenenNithya @Samanthaprabhu2 @DOP_Tirru @StudioGreen2 @rajsekarpandian pic.twitter.com/HkoMPeyrOW
— Suriya Sivakumar (@Suriya_offl) May 8, 2016
Videos
The following playlist features the teaser, trailers and making of videos for 24.
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