VAALU MOVIE REVIEW

The much-delayed Vaalu finally hits the screens today, after being in the making for the past couple of years. With quite a star-studded cast in the form of Simbu, Hansika and Santhanam, Vaalu makes no big bones about delivering anything different or epic. It is a quintessential commercial film about the hero, his beautiful girl, his sidekick friends and his loving family.

 

Despite the 'deja vu' factor and the shallow story, Vaalu is watchable for the sharp dialogues sprinkled across, by director - writer Vijay Chander. The famed Simbu - Santhanam chemistry works to the movie's favor with generous doses of enjoyable comedy. The presence of VTV Ganesh as Kutti Paiya also brings about a chuckle now and then.

 

As the film has been in the making for quite some time, the change in looks of the actors, Santhanam and Hansika particularly, is clearly evident. 

 

The actors aren't required to exert much, given the easy nature of the film. Simbu (as Sharp) is dynamic in every scene and his screen presence and youthful energy power Vaalu ahead, along with Santhanam's typical sarcasm and counters. Naren as Simbu's dad is getting comfortable in this space of father roles, and there are some good father-son sentimental moments. Kannada actor Aditya gets a solid little role and his character's ruthless nature and strong ethics are impressive

 

When it comes to a mainstream mass film like this, the BGM score plays a key role in lifting the heroic 'build-up' moments. The Vaalu rap is one such impressive bit while Thaman also does use bits from other popular films' scores like for example, the famous Mannan bit for some of the Simbu - Santhanam comedy scenes.

 

Coming to the songs, though their placement is highly unimaginative and predictable, Thaarumaaru, You are my Darling and Love Endravan stand out. The tribute to MGR, Rajini and Ajith in the Thaarumaaru number is a definite highlight, with Simbu looking authentic particularly as 'Enga Veettu Pillai' MGR. The set work for this song is also good, with the appropriate backdrops and props employed for the song's different segments. DoP Shakthi has handled this commercial film with the required grandeur, and the scenes which happen near the railway lines stand out.

 

Vaalu's intro scene ought to be another popular one, with the references to the popular current-day superstars. And as expected, being a Simbu film, there is a fair share of 'Ajithism' in Vaalu.

 

The film is on the longer side, at more than 2 hours 30 mins, and the elaborate fight sequence towards the end definitely needs some chopping. The stunt choreography, in general, is over-the-top.

 

To sum up Vaalu, it is nothing new but provides some jolly good moments in a 'tried and tested' template.