"Thala" Ajith's 50th film was started with big fanfare and there was a lot of hype surrounding the final outcome - Mankatha - A Venkat Prabhu game they call it - is no where close to what seemed to have been promised. Mankatha is an out and out Ajith flick. Watch it for Thala and nothing else and you will not be disappointed. But, if you are planning to watch it for the director, please stop yourself and save some time.
The only 'good' thing about the movie, apart from Ajith, is the end credits - the bloopers. That is when i had my first smile and laugh. One could see a freaky and crazy Ajith. (PLUS)
The songs sucked big time and all of them were out of place. Most of them had half naked women shaking their legs. (MINUS)
Choreography was pathetic and given the dancing talents of Ajith, you had to get out of your seat and go buy some food. (MINUS)
Background music was 'okay' with the main Mankatha theme (alias 'Sakthi masala' remix tune) still in the minds of the viewers. (I think its a PLUS)
Dialogues were below par for such a hi-fi (they call it) movie. (MINUS)
The first half was an out and out 'mokkai' with the actors themselves accepting that after getting drunk, one cracks the ultiest of the PJs. (MINUS)
The actual brain and intelligence of the director starts creeping in from the interval. Although the storyline was wafer thin, it atleast engaged the viewers given an 'awesome' first half. (PLUS)
Premji (once a rib tickler) turns into an advertisement for aspirin. The guy's lost his charm. (MINUS)
'Action King' Arjun plays a very important role and has played his part well. (PLUS)
The ladies in the movie were used just for skin show and not in the right way too. (MINUS)
Visual effects were totally out of the picture in places (MINUS) but cinematography rocked in many other places. Hats off to the cameraman. (PLUS)
Venkat Prabhu, director of cult hits like Chennai 28, saroja and goa gives us an Ajith dominated flick. He has mixed up several hollywood films (read. Oceans, Italian Job, etc.) and added some kollywood ingredients to give us an 'okay'-ish movie called 'Mankatha'.
One goes into watching 'Mankatha' with sky high expectations and only half of it is delivered and all credit to 'Ultimate Star' Ajith and 'Action King' Arjun. Watch it for them. If you don't like either of them - Don't DARE watch it.
Rating: 2.5/5
Mankatha - A 'poor' Venkat Prabhu game!
