Villu - Movie Review

After two mediocre fares, expectations were riding high on Vijay’s Villu produced by Ayngaran International and directed by Prabhudeva. Added to that the hopes given by Vijay and Prabhudeva, with the latter going on to term the film as “james bond film of Vijay”.

Well, this is no James bond fare, not an excellent piece of work like Ghilli or Pokkiri, but sure does not fall into the “bad” or “average” category. This is a good movie and a good attempt for a new style of Vijay films, except that there are things that could have been done in a better way than they actually are.

The story is about Pugazh(Vijay), who works on a mission driven by a honest police officer, to bring down international criminal Prakashraj and his associates. On his way, he gets Nayanthara in love with him, who is the goon’s own daughter. He travels with Nayanthara to meet her father, works for him, eliminates his associates. Why he does all these unwinds before climax and in the end, truth triumphs.

It is very clear that the movie is a remake of late 90’s bollywood film Soldier, except for a few changes mainly in romantic scenes, but the interesting thing is that only the good aspects of the film are retained and most of the crap was cut. Like the lengthy climax scene in desert is cut down to a watchable fare and most of the boring romantic scenes in the original have been avoided.

Vijay as Pugazh does an impressive job, though this adds nothing new in his feathery cap. Even the dance movements are very much toned down, you don’t get to see much of the usual Vijay there. The dual role as father Major Saravanan is definitely not Vijay’s cup of tea, but he makes a decent attempt at it. Nayanthara as Vijay’s love interest Jhanvi has done her job neatly and makes her presence felt throughout the first half.

Vadivelu’s comedy is brilliant in most parts, but sadly he doesn’t have much of a role in second half. His fight with the graphics cow, an inspiration the most popular mootrix mail video, is a different attempt and people do appreciate it in theatre. Again, it is perfectly misplaced in the movie.

Prakashraj does the same job he had done in a dozen other films. The other supporting cast including Geetha, Anandaraj and others does what is expected from them. Ranjitha as Vijay’s mother and wife of father Vijay is a misfit, and gets nothing much to do than yelling and crying.

Songs are picturised well and choreographed well, but most of them have not brought out the best of Vijay’s dancing prowess. “Nee kobapattal” is a visual treat with good special effects and “Vaada maapla” is an entertainer with Vadivelu joining the show. Stunt scenes are mostly over the top, but most of them look good in the movie with proper CG works and co-ordination. The one in the fight club is brilliant while the sequence of bombing a dozen cars with the remote coolers is too unbelievable and overdone, with miserable CG work.

Screenplay is racy, mainly in second half, but lacks complete punch and there are many places having a scope for better job. The climax especially looks odd for a movie that had gone slick for 2 odd hours. Even if you forget that, something better could have been conceived as it is awfully old, seen in a number of movies. The romantic scenes between Vijay and Nayanthara have been brought out well by Prabhudeva.

Camerawork by Ravivarman is extra ordinary, especially in foreign locales and songs. Kola Bhaskar has done a good job in trying to keep the movie gripping despite few lows in screenplay. Prabhudeva as a director does a satisfactory job.

Villu is definitely a welcome film from Vijay and Prabhudeva, only that it is not the best from them, but just turns out to be a good job. Logic is something that one should not look for in mass entertainers, so if you forget that, there is a lot of enjoyment as a viewer.

Highs: Vijay’s screen presence, Vijay and Nayanthara’s chemistry, Camerawork, few stunt sequences and Vadivelu

Lows: Couple of overdone stunts, age old climax

Verdict: Worth a watch – Villu, Joyfullu!

Rating: 8/10