Teenz Review
Teenz: Parthiban's latest exploration of multiple genres.
Radhakrishnan Parthiban, a veteran actor and director who has received a National Award, is recognized for his innovative approach to screenwriting and filmmaking. His most recent multi-genre project, 'Teenz,' has directly competed with Shankar's 'Indian 2' at the box office. It remains to be observed whether this smaller film will create a significant impact on audiences and box office revenues.
"Teenz" commences with an intriguing premise, featuring thirteen adolescents residing in the same gated community who feel that their parents continue to regard them as children. In a bid for independence, they devise a plan for an adventure to demonstrate their ability to survive autonomously. One of the girls extends an invitation to her friends to visit her grandmother's village, a location reputed to be haunted. The group decides to skip classes and embark on this journey. However, due to an unexpected riot, they are forced to traverse perilous terrain on foot, where they encounter supernatural phenomena. As the adventure unfolds, members of the group begin to vanish without a trace, leaving the remaining friends in a state of confusion, torn between fleeing for their safety or searching for their missing companions. The narrative takes an unforeseen turn into science fiction with the introduction of R. Parthiban, an eccentric astrophysicist. The central questions of "Teenz" revolve around the reasons for the disappearances and whether the children will survive the harrowing experience.
The performance of the thirteen teenagers effectively captivates the audience throughout the entirety of the first act. Certain characters, such as Sara, are particularly well-developed; she demonstrates compassion by advocating for an underprivileged boy who faces mistreatment from his peers. Additionally, a budding romance between one of the boys and a girl introduces several memorable moments characteristic of Parthiban's style. Parthiban himself skillfully embodies the role of the astrophysicist. However, many of the other characters, including the fortune teller and ghost hunter, appear largely unnecessary. It is advisable to refrain from commenting on Yogi Babu's brief two-scene appearance.
The most compelling aspect of 'Teenz' lies in its opening segments, which effectively portray the excesses and adventurous spirit of teenagers in a gated community. The narrative gains momentum when the friends are pursued by dogs, leading them to the cremation grounds and the initial instances of disappearance. The inclusion of the spaceship and charming little rovers, along with their actions, also warrants attention as the climax approaches. Certain lines, such as Parthiban's remark to one of the girls about his ability to perceive the alien's frequency but not that of God, elicit applause from the audience.
The screenplay ultimately falls into a repetitive cycle, causing the characters, much like the children, to meander aimlessly across the grounds for an extended duration. Furthermore, once the children depart from the city, they begin to echo dialogues reminiscent of Parthiban, thereby losing their distinctiveness through no fault of their own. Unfortunately, the sense of entrapment experienced by the protagonists fails to resonate with the audience, which is a significant disappointment. Additionally, the transition from horror to science fiction lacks a convincing execution. The film also neglects the coming-of-age theme that was briefly introduced at the beginning. It raises concerns regarding the extent to which the Tamil family audience can accept portrayals of teenagers consuming alcohol, engaging in self-harm, and particularly the physical relationship between one of the boys and a girl.
D. Imman has delivered the background score in his characteristic manner, featuring a few melodious tracks alongside some that feel somewhat contrived within the narrative. Gavemic Ary has contributed effectively with the cinematography. The visual effects, especially in the scenes involving the alien spacecraft, are not cutting-edge but are acceptable. Radhakrishnan Parthiban merits commendation for his unwavering quest for innovative concepts. Had he focused more on the screenplay, "Teenz" might have secured a position among the finest works of his career.Conclusion: If you appreciate Parthiban's innovative films, which consistently stand apart from conventional offerings, then do not hesitate to explore them.
🎬 Movie: Teenz
📅 Year: 2024
🔊 League: Tamil
🔅 IMDB: 7.8
