Movie Review: Good Bad Ugly (2025)

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A Blazing Tribute to Thala Ajith’s Mass Legacy

From the very first frame, Good Bad Ugly doesn’t just announce its arrival—it roars into existence. Director Adhik Ravichandran, known for his flamboyant style and flair for exaggerated storytelling, returns with a bang, delivering a film tailor-made for fans of Ajith Kumar, the ultimate mass hero of Tamil cinema. With a potent mix of style, sentiment, action, and outrageous entertainment, this film cements itself as a quintessential masala blockbuster for the ages.

The Good

At the heart of this cinematic storm is Ajith Kumar, effortlessly playing a triple-layered character that mirrors the film’s title. With his salt-and-pepper charm and magnetic on-screen authority, Ajith portrays a don battling inner demons and external enemies. The performance feels like a culmination of his past avatars—from the cunning Vaali twin to the stylish Billa and the raw, emotional Vedalam. His introduction scene is a goosebumps-fest—motorcycles, slow-motion struts, and punch dialogues that detonate like thunderclaps.

Trisha Krishnan, as the female lead, brings emotional weight to the story. She’s not just a romantic interest but a grounding force, especially in the family-centric scenes that showcase Ajith’s softer side. Their chemistry, matured and layered, gives the film much-needed balance amidst all the action chaos.

The Bad (In a Good Way)

If the “bad” here refers to villains and plot madness, then it’s deliciously wicked. The antagonists are flamboyant, loud, and larger-than-life—true to Adhik’s style. While the main villain remains under wraps for a majority of the film, hints at cameos by Vishal and SJ Suryah keep audiences on edge. The backstory involving a kidnapped son injects emotional stakes, even though it occasionally feels like a detour in an otherwise high-speed narrative.

The screenplay packs twists and surprise entries like a deck of wild cards—never knowing when or how someone will show up next. And even when the story falters, the sheer screen presence of Ajith and the high-octane sequences keep the momentum alive.

The Ugly (And Beautifully So)

The “ugly” here is the film’s unapologetic excess. This is cinema with its foot slammed on the accelerator—logic is bypassed for thrills, subtlety tossed aside for style. But in this genre, that’s not a flaw—it’s the flavor. Dialogues brim with Lollu Sabha-style humor, sharp one-liners, and social media-infused slang that lands surprisingly well with the audience.

Technically, GV Prakash Kumar’s music and background score are the adrenaline-pumping heartbeats of the movie. Every punch, every emotional beat, and every slow-mo walk is amplified by his powerful compositions. Some of the VFX sequences do push the envelope, occasionally crossing into comic-book territory, but the stylization fits the over-the-top tone Adhik aims for.

Crew Contributions

• Director: Adhik Ravichandran brings his signature mix of absurdity, fan service, and emotional beats, all held together with frenetic energy.
• Music: GV Prakash Kumar delivers a thunderous soundtrack and a background score that elevates even the most predictable scenes.
• Cinematography: Abinandhan Ramanujam deserves special credit. His camera captures grandeur in every frame—from neon-lit cityscapes to rustic village showdowns.
• Editing: Ruben ensures the film never drags, keeping transitions punchy and pacing brisk.
• Supporting Cast: Yogi Babu delivers comic relief with impeccable timing, Arjun Das lends intensity in a mysterious cameo, and Prabhu plays a mentor role with emotional gravitas.

Verdict

Good Bad Ugly is not here to win awards—it’s here to win hearts. It’s a celebration of all things Thala, an unapologetically loud and colorful love letter to fans who live for whistle-worthy moments and gravity-defying heroism. While it may not appeal to those looking for logic and subtlety, it delivers in spades for its target audience.

As the screen fades to black and the title reappears to thunderous applause, you know one thing for sure—Ajith Kumar still rules the screen, and Good Bad Ugly is his grand proclamation.

Rating: 4/5 – A mass entertainer with heart, humor, and hysteria. Watch it for Thala, stay for the madness.

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