The hype and hoopla surrounding Villu, prior to its release was huge. Director Prabhudeva and actor Vijay promised lots of entertainment. Unfortunately the end product is far from impressive as it is a ‘chaotic’ cocktail of comedy, action and needless stunt sequences far from any logic.
Prabhudeva is greatly impressed by Abbas – Mastan’s Bollywood hit Soldier. But in trying to remake the movie, he has far-stretched his imagination, which fails to find its way with audience’s favour.
It’s a wholesome Vijay show. The actor is at his best – be it the stunt sequence, comedy or romantic episodes. There is an aura of style in whatever he ventures to do on screen. He is as usual cool in his mannerisms. Prabhudeva portrays him an invincible one-man army who floats on water and fly on air with ease and élan. But his hard labour is foiled by wafer-thin storyline, which has no logic.
The story is as old as that of lithic age – an angry son who taking revenge on those responsible for the death of his father. Vijay enacts a dual role – that of a son and father. Prabhudeva has laced it with commercial elements including comedy and action.
The movie revolves around a macho-man Pughazh (Vijay). Thanks to the help of Joseph (Manoj K Jayan), a honest cop, Pughazh begins his search for a international gangster and arms supplier JD (Prakashraj). Meanwhile, Pughazh goes to a village to attend a wedding and comes across Jhanvi (Nayantara). After cat and mouse games, love blossoms between them. Pughazh comes to know that she is the daughter of JD. He sets to Munich in Germany to meet JD along with Jhanvi. He meets JD’s gang (Sriman, Anandhraj and Devaraj). After initial encounters, he evolves his own plans and starts eliminating them one after another.
A flashback reveals why Pughazh is behind their blood. His father ‘Major’ Saravanan (Vijay) gets killed by a gang, which is led by JD, when he prevents them from selling arms to ultras. JD and his team enact a drama and bumps off Saravanan before managing to create an impression that he was the one who had nexus with ultras and succeeds in branding him an anti-national. Eventually Pughazh manages to bring JD to India and avenge them for their wrong-deeds and establish his father’s innocence.
Vijay walks away with all honours, while Nayanthara catches the imagination of the audience appearing in skimpy costumes appearing in peppy numbers with Vijay. Vadivelu tries his hand at evoking comedy and succeeds fairly especially the scenes involving Vijay, Nayantara and himself.
Prakashraj platys a clichéd don who controls international arms racket. His dialogues and acts are far too predictable. The rest of the cast including Geetha, Ranjitha, Devaraj, Anandhraj play their part on screen.
Devi Sri Prasad has come up with some peppy numbers while Raviverman’s cinematography is passable. Thanks to Fefsi Vijayan’s stunts Vijay has belied law of gravitation. The real scene-stealer is however the producers Ayangaran Internationals, who have come out with a grand venture. Almost every frame is rich and lavish.
On the whole, Vijay’s Villu is a action-packed mass masala film for his ardent fans but with loose ends.
Banner: Ayngaran International Films
Cast: Vijay, Nayantara Vadivelu
Direction: Prabhu Deva
Music: Devi Sri Prasad