Fanboy films in Tamil cinema have been a fashion over the past few years, with each actor getting their own share of it through the directors who worked with them. But I’m sure none of those films are equal to what Adhik Ravi has achieved with Good Bad Ugly, a complete show-reel of Ajith’s career in one film that’s crazy, rapid and entertaining if you’re willing to forget the logic and enjoy the magic.
Good Bad Ugly has a thin story-line where AK – The Red Dragon, a ferocious gangster surrenders himself to the cops after his wife doesn’t allow him to touch their newborn child. After coming out from jail, AK’s old enemies pop up again and what sets the tale going is on how he helps his son come out of a tough situation. The story, characters, arcs, twists and turns – everything goes to the back burner in Adhik’s film as the focus is wholly and solely on Ajith who is celebrated and elevated in every scene from there on.
The film has a smooth first half where the hero villain episode is excellent and sets the tone very well, but the second half is a fanboy service theatrical experience film altogether that has one big cheer moment followed by the other.
It will be interesting to see how neutrals and family audiences tune up to Good Bad Ugly, as the film is unlike any other celebratory film of an actor and is so busy with the episodes that keep going on it intended to showcase AK as the big beast.
While Ajith is at his best and has enjoyed playing this role to the fullest, Arjun Das does a great job in a role that has some special strokes to it. Both these actors carry through the weight of the film, while the others around them don’t have much to do.
GBU is excellent in terms of its visuals, the music, the snazzy edit and the production value – technically it’s a solid film that deserves praise across departments.
Good Bad Ugly is definitely a good film for the fact that it carries its entertainment value until the end, but if you’re looking for something brilliant in terms of a story or newness, look away. This is the new textbook of a fan service film.