DC Review - An Engaging Actioner with enough drama!
Ashwin Ram
Premise:Lokesh Kanagaraj is part of a naxal group, they are being chased by the cops for stealing a major weapons consignment. What is the purpose behind it, the characters who cross their path on the run and what happens to the gang form the remaining story.
Writing/ Direction: The intention is to make a brutal action film, thankfully there is enough drama to support the bloodshed. It is a story that takes place in a week’s time, the emotional backing is done well by establishing the internal pain faced by the lead characters, though the content is conveyed in a bit unstable way at times, we end up rooting for them all. It is definitely Arun Maatheswaran’s least complicated and most mainstream film yet, engaging stuff for the most part and also he hasn’t separated his narrative into different parts by giving them individual names for no reason. The dialogues could have been much better, certain aspects are overly stressed, that too again and again. The first half has some nice moments, Sanjana Krishnamoorthy scenes are relatable and bring in the involvement, with a terrific interval block, but other than that the initial hour lacks fulfilment. We get to know more about Lokesh Kanagaraj’s backstory only in the later stages of the movie and the main investigation officer who occupies a lot of screen time is irritating. The writing is pretty basic, with some repetitive chases and backstabbing, but somehow it works in the flow. Many gripping good scenes in the second half, Guns n Roses connect beautifully after a point. Wamiqa Gabbi’s characterization is solid and holds the final hour along with some well-made action stretches. The film kick-starts with a touching dramatic incident at the beginning, it gets a great payoff at the end, summing up the whole subject and bringing it to a satisfying zone.
Performances: Lokesh Kanagaraj’s lookset fits for the rugged role he has played, but he has loads to improve with his acting skills and dialogue delivery. However, his gun-handling is stylish. Superb role for Wamiqa Gabbi, her self-dubbing is a welcome move and she has utilized her deeply disturbing character arc to her strengths. Sanjana Krishnamoorthy’s role is impactful and helps us to know the nature of LoKi. A bunch of other supporting artists, some have good involvement in the storyline, the honest cop for example and even the characters who emotionally back the hero. But except one, a couple of other friends who travel throughout the film do not get the due deserving importance.
Technicalities: Anirudh in literal God Mode, both with respect to the songs and background score. Every frame gets elevated several notches higher through his banger music. Mukesh G had plenty of scope to make the film look great, but unfortunately the visuals are never striking, very generic presentation. Prasanna GK’s editing is easily accessible, despite the jumping landscapes, his simplistic cuts have held the film together. Kudos to the stunt choreographers as the fight scenes are right on target, amidst some questionable shootout logic, there are several memorable and effective slow-motion heroic moments.
Verdict: Many generic segments in the writing, but that has actually resulted in the film’s favour. The gripping action, the relatable dramatic stretches and Anirudh’s powerful music make it a satisfying outing.
DC - An Engaging Actioner with enough drama!
Rating - 3/ 5.