Action Review: So much promised, so little delivered [Beware, shiny object!]

Sundar C is well known for his mindless comedy, horror or other kind of entertainer movies.

In Action, Sundar C promises us to take us to the moon! But rather ends up taking us on a punctured bicycle across four rugged streets in the outskirts.

Mostly his movies strike a chord with the audience and turn out to be a commercial winner.

Action is definitely an unconventional attempt for Sundar C, in the sense that this is a debutante attempt for him in making a full length action movie.

The trailer sounded promising – in particular, the thrill and the visual appeal.

The movie opens up with Tamannah walking in an attempt to escape the eyes in a market in Istanbul.

On the TV we see Vishal and Tamannah to be shown as the “wanted” persons.

While Tamannah is being cornered and about to be caught, Vishal comes to the rescue.

We are presented with a flashback which portrays Vishal as a colonel in Indian Army and his father is the Chief Minister of Tamilnadu.

In an unfortunate event, his father is killed in the bomb blast and Vishal proceeds to track down the murderer.

In his hunt, he ends up tracking down the most wanted terrorist.

So does that plot line excite you? Yes it does – but unfortunately on on paper.

On execution, Action falls flat – face on mud – and makes us go bored to death.

Too much importance or focus has been put on the visuals – a tad too much. So the scenes end up being very rugged, raw and scream green screen all over.

The action sequences, apart from a couple, are all so cinematic, logic-less and totally unrealistic.

There are way too many plot holes that you cannot simply ignore for any reason.

The way Vishal enters Pakistan, the way the lady killer runs after seeing Vishal, the way the stunts are performed.

The way Vishal enters Pakistan, the way the lady killer runs after seeing Vishal, the way the stunts are performed – all these are a few examples of plot holes and weak writing.

Vishal has been given a steep character arc, in imagination, but in writing that does not translate well on screen.

And why is there so much cinematic liberty to the point where the audience are considered fools? Or are we expected to accept Action too as  a “mind-less” entertainer just like Sundar C’s other movies?

Well, that might work for comedy movies, but not for a serious plot like this.

The makers should have focused more on writing and that would have helped make the movie more interesting.

Rather, the focus has been given on making the stunt scenes look like Mission Impossible-like, trying to make Tamannah look hot (what’s up with her flawless make-up amidst all the beating, dust and bleeding?), and trying to make the movie look rich in the making.

In short, Action is a tiring watch if you go in expecting a solid, posh, visually appealing thriller, after seeing the trailer.

You will also be disappointed if you expect a conventional Sundar C movie.

Watch it at your own risk.