5 reasons why you should watch Ajith Kumar-led 'Valimai'
What's the story
Ajith Kumar (AK)-led Valimai finally hit the cinema halls on Thursday (February 24).
The hype around the film was contagious and makers made sure it stayed that way.
But, did the H Vinoth-directorial live up to the mania built around it, or was it just a show for bike racing lovers?
We help you understand by listing five reasons why Valimai deserves a watch.
#1 and #2
Stunt sequences, cinematography are top-notch
Dhilip Subbarayan's stunt choreography is outstanding and detailed.
The pre-interval and post-interval sequences give a virtual reality-like experience and we automatically move whenever the bikes do.
The visuals, thanks to cinematographer Nirav Shah, are stunning but the eagle-eye shots are especially captivating.
That Valimai is made on a high budget (reports say it is Rs. 150 crore) shows, but ONLY during the stunt sequences.
#3
Brilliant background score elevates the mood
Ghibran's background score is another reason why Valimai should be given a chance.
It's mostly flashy and loud but tones down whenever needed.
And, this almost fills the absence of a solid script and elevates the film's mood when AK's dialogues fall flat (which happens most of the time).
The songs, composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja, are few in number but definitely enjoyable.
#4
Kartikeya Gummakonda steals the show
Kartikeya Gummakonda as the main antagonist is a pleasant watch, though his outer appearance is rather juvenile.
He fills that gap with his acting prowess.
His hold on his skills gets proved in the climax scene (not divulging much here).
That he has trained hard to look professional during bike stunts reflects in his performance, so Gummakonda arrests your attention whenever he comes in.
#5
AK's bike sequences, stunts feel out of the world
The word "stunning" is an understatement when it comes to AK's bike sequences, and he scores ample brownie points JUST for that!
His short bike stunt in Mankatha left his fans hungry for a full-fledged outing where he would display his biking skills.
Enter Valimai.
His wheelie and air-borne fighting sequences feel ethereal and Valimai actually looks like a lover of his biking skills.
Negatives
This is where 'Valimai' fails badly
However, Valimai has its flaws, too.
And, the biggest disappointment is AK himself. He fails miserably as an actor. Given that he has won multiple awards for his performances, his execution is Valimai feels like that of a student in an acting class.
And, the other actors like Huma Qureshi and Sumithra (AK's mother) get very little scope to do anything.
Personal
Verdict: Watch the film in theaters only
Shortcomings aside, Valimai merits a watch, that too in theaters. The visual spectacle that unfolds in front of you cannot be experienced on a small screen. Valimai is worth the wait, but it has a lot of loose ends and could've been more tightly packed.