Every Man a past. Every Don has a history. But history isn’t entertaining or engaging always and Billa II is the perfect example for that. If you go in expecting how an ordinary man transforms into a dreaded don you are bound to be disappointed big time.

Plot

As expected the movie traces the origin of David Billa. The movie starts off with Ajith entering a camp in Rameswaram as a refugee. He inadvertently gets into smuggling of goods and from thereon he moves up the crime ladder at a rapid pace removing his rivals one by one. The problem with Billa II is that the movie follows a linear narration and there are absolutely no thrills involved. In fact not a single person in the film even poses the slightest threat to Billa. The success of gangster flicks often depends on how much we route for the lead character. That happens mostly when the protagonist is the underdog. But here Billa seems to kill at will right from the start and the element of surprise is completely missing.   

Cast

Ajith looks like he sleepwalks through the role. The intensity that is seen in his eyes at the start of the film goes missing as soon as he gets into the suave avatar. All said and done, if the movie is at least watchable it is only due to the man's unmistakable screen presence. The two heroines (if you can call them that!!!) in the film seem like they are playing extended cameos. While Parvathy Ommanakuttan looks jaded and weeps often, Bruna Abdullah just has to walk around in skimpy outfits. The villains (a whole lot of them, that you lose count) look menacing, but their actions are anything but clever. Vidyut Jamal looks convincing as the International arms dealer. Watch out for his agility in his introduction scene. Illavarasu shines  in a short role.

Technical Aspects

Yuvan impresses in the background score. But the songs do not excite you. And their picturization is a sore point. Almost all songs look like item numbers. Is it really necessary to have such songs in a movie whose leading man is a crowd puller? The "Unnakule Mirugam" song with its 'SIN CITY' like visuals stands apart. The exotic locales captured through Rajasekar's RED EPIC lens provide a pleasant viewing. The look and feel of the film is actually as good as any international action flick. The stunt sequences are commendable. They are both raw and stylish.  It is the soul and purpose of the action that is missing. The crisp running length of the movie is an advantage. Remove some of  the songs and Billa II might have been better.

Bottomline

Billa II has a lot of things going for it. The film is technically slick, the lead man is charismatic, crisp running time, dialogues that have fans bringing the roof down and some neat stunt sequences. But screenplay, which is the most vital aspect of any film (particularly for an action flick) just meanders without engaging us.  Chakri who impressed in Unnaipol Oruvan gives glimpses of his potential in certain scenes. But such scenes are few and far between.

Verdict: The movie is a decent one time watch for Ajith fans. But for the rest it offers very little.