'Valimai' hit the screens this Thursday. In this section, we are going to review the latest action thriller.

Story:

ACP Arjun (Ajith), a righteous police officer, sets out on a mission to hunt down an outlaw biker gang named 'Satan Slaves' following their involvement in heinous crimes such as theft, murder and drug trafficking. While facing off the gang's leader (Kartikeya of 'RX 100' fame), Arjun's efforts go in vain when he finds out that his family is directly affected by the baddies. The rest of the film is about how Arjun tides over the personal crisis and professional challenges that seem insurmountable.

Analysis:

Director H Vinoth was expected to tell a layered story. But 'Valimai' is more or less a straightforward story that is made to cater to Ajith's mass fan base in Tamil Nadu. What makes the film under review a cut above the rest of his previous movies such as 'Viswasam' and 'Vivegam', is that the action sequences (read chase episodes) are rousing and seem more difficult than the ones we get to watch in most of the Indian movies.

To this extent, stunt director Dhilip Subbarayan's towering presence behind the screens is to be lauded. Nirav Shah's cinematography is dexterous, elevating the action scenes and making 'Valimai' feel somewhat different. The editing is a bit flawed and it's not just because of the run-time. It's because the chase sequences look a bit hurried because of the way the scenes have been cut.

The writing is a bit substandard in a number of ways. The pre-interval twist is outdated and what follows from the emotional ballast of this twist can't be enjoyed. The second half is spoiled by a couple of melodramatic moments that threaten to descend into a tepid climax. Well, the climax is not bad. But it's not great either. The direction of the story is predictable, even if the specific scenes are not.

Every time we give up hopes on the film, the technical team, ably supported by H Vinoth's yearning for high-octane action, saves the day. There are some really lengthy chases that work because of the visual feast that they offer.

Where could the film have been better? At least a couple of surprises in the second half would have done well. The moments where the characters are faceless (because of the fact that they are bikers) should have been elevated better in some or the other way. The scenes inside the Narcotics Bureau Wing in Vizag seem lazily written.

Ajith's character was supposed to be called the People's Cop. But the description remains only on paper. We don't feel that he has the hopes of lakhs of people riding on him. A consignment worth Rs 3000 Cr is stashed away and we don't feel the stakes are high.

The dialogues lose sheen after a point. In a crucial moment, Ajith's character gives a motivational quote ('If they hurl stones at you, build a fort with them') that she must anyways be reading every day in WhatsApp groups. The twisted morality of the characters is not indulged thoroughly.

Kartikeya's characterization is different only to an extent. The film could have been way better had the character been strongly told.

'Valimai' is shouldered by an able Ajith. He is enjoyable till the end. Ghibran's background score is so-so. Yuvan Shankar Raja's music doesn't make its presence felt.

Verdict:

'Valimai' is a winner if you consider the action sequences. In other respects, it is a half-baked product.