India, Oct. 17 -- Jailer (2023) was a benchmark in celebrating an actor who has been worshipped by fans for decades. On the face of it, this Rajinikanth film might have seemed like a regular masala entertainer, but Nelson's presentation and, of course, Anirudh Ravichander's electrifying background score made all the difference. This critic found himself smiling giddily like a teenager, sequence after sequence then.

Naturally, the anticipation for Jailer 2, its sequel, was sky-high. But it doesn't quite hit the sweet spot this time. Here are four reasons why:

Jailer had a proper arc for Rajinikanth's Muthuvel Pandian, a retired jailer who has settled into a quiet family life after retiring. His transformation into an angry man just befor...