Earlier this week, Vijay’s latest film Beast crossed the 250-crore mark, in the same week that saw it released on a streaming service. Beast was hammered by most critics and has been the subject of many memes.
Vijay plays Veeraraaghavan, a raw military officer who is one of hundreds trapped in a shopping mall that has been taken over by a group of terrorists. Using his acquired skills, Veera – predictably – saves the situation with only one civilian casualty. That pretty much sums up the plot of Beast, and it could have worked with the right treatment.
If this film was meant to be a parody of Tamil action movies, it works to some extent -because of the humour element. However, if this was meant to be an action thriller, it is quite embarrassing. The stunts and action sequences contain some of the most unbelievable scenes and escapades.
The film’s biggest drawback is the lack of development in the characters. It was a good touch to have the character Veerraaghavan suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder but this angle is not given the attention it deserved. Pooja Hegde, playing Preethi, does nothing beyond what a model in a fashion show would do. Reddin Kingsley who impressed us in Kolamaavu Kogila and delighted us in Doctor is so throttled by the flatness of the character that his role is a forgettable one. Yogi Babu shines but the star of the film is director Selvaraagavan, the elder brother of Dhanush, who plays the acid-tongued Altaf Hussain. I would love to see more of him in front of the camera.
Cinematographer Manoj Paramahamsa, who made an impressive debut in Eeram, does not even attempt any creativity with editor R. Nirmal following his cue. Anirudh’s background music attempts to bolster the film but is held back by the pedestrian screenplay.
The film follows a linear screenplay and this is not helped by its slow pace. Nelson has tasted his first miss in his short career as, even as a parody, the film does not shine. Beast, is, at best an experimental film that has missed its target. Fortunately for everyone associated with the film, it has become a box-office hit even before its entry onto a streaming platform.
Beast scores a rating of 5 out of 10.
