Starring award-winning actor Suriya, who hasn’t had a major release since 2022 (aside from a few memorable cameos), anticipation for “Kanguva” has been high.

And it’s fair to say there was some apprehension – this is Suriya’s first collaboration with director Siva, a filmmaker known for over-the-top, entertainment films that have started to lose their charm.

The memory of “Annaatthe,” which starred Rajinikanth and was a chore to sit through, didn’t exactly boost fans’ hopes for “Kanguva.” The main promise here was the genre: a period fantasy action drama.

So, does “Kanguva” live up to the hype?

The film begins in present-day Goa, India, where Francis (Suriya), a bounty hunter with a swaggering look (tattooed arm, blonde highlights, chunky chains), makes his entrance. His sidekick Colt (Yogi Babu) brings his signature humour to their partnership, providing plenty of laughs as they banter and chase bounties.

Enter Angela (Disha Patani), a rival bounty hunter and Francis’s ex-girlfriend, whose romantic flashback is just unnecessary.

The real plot begins when Zeta, a young escapee from a Russian biomedical laboratory, arrives in Goa looking for Suriya.

Audiences learn that the Russians had the ability to somehow “neurolock” Zeta’s brain and track him down, sparking a cat-and-mouse chase. When Francis crosses paths with Zeta, he’s drawn to protect the boy, despite never meeting him before – setting the story in motion.

From here, “Kanguva” shifts to an extended flashback to the year 1070, on the mystical Quintet Islands. This period setting, with its unique island environments (from forests to snowy peaks), is visually captivating and introduces Kanguva, Suriya’s fierce warrior character.

The story pits Kanguva’s Perumaachi island, home to fearless warriors, against Roman invaders and Koduva, a rogue from another island who attacks Perumaachi in exchange for gold from Romans.

After a brutal confrontation killing Koduva, Kanguva takes on a vow to protect his son Poruva – who audiences later learn is Zeta in the present day. This relationship between the boy and Suriya is the core of the movie’s plotline.

While this historical setting is compelling, “Kanguva” can feel like a series of disjointed episodes rather than a cohesive story.

The Romans align with warriors from another island ruled by the ruthless Uthiran (Bobby Deol), leading to bloody battles and intricate betrayals. By the time the film circles back to the present day, some viewers may feel a bit lost.

Then there’s the ending. While a few twists near the climax might catch you off guard, the film’s resolution feels anticlimactic.

Certain elements, like Suriya hanging from an aeroplane mid-flight (yes, that happens), stretch believability to a breaking point.

Devi Sri Prasad’s background score, while powerful, is often too intense and jarring, and Suriya’s constant warrior-like shouting on top of it doesn’t help.

Despite its flaws, “Kanguva” offers plenty for die-hard Suriya fans. Fresh off his intense cameo as Rolex in “Vikram,” Suriya seems to embrace the animalistic, untamed essence of Kanguva with ease.

Dressed in tribal attire, dreadlocks, and a tiger-tooth necklace, his raw charisma is on full display, enhanced by stylish slow-motion shots that showcase his muscles and, in one instance, his willingness to wrestle a crocodile. These moments are pure fan service, and they work.

Another major highlight is the film’s cinematography – the intense battle scenes are best appreciated on the big screen.

One of the biggest drawbacks of “Kanguva” is that it leaves too many questions unanswered.

How are the past and present connected? What exactly are the Russians doing in that biomedical lab, and how did Zeta know to find Francis, supposedly a reincarnation of Kanguva?

Unfortunately, the movie leaves these mysteries dangling, teasing a part two. While this may intrigue some viewers, others might find it frustrating – will the plot still be fresh by the time the sequel arrives?

To top it off, there’s a surprise cameo in the last 20 minutes, hinting that this character will play a major role in the next film. For fans, this might be one of the most thrilling parts of the film’s final minutes.

“Kanguva” is far from perfect due to an overstuffed plot. But if you’re a Suriya fan, it’s definitely worth watching.