Movie Review of Good Bad Ugly (2025)
Good Bad Ugly, a 2025 Tamil action thriller directed by Adhik Ravichandran, delivers a mixed bag of high-octane action, vintage Ajith Kumar charisma, and a narrative that plays heavily to fan expectations. With a runtime that keeps you engaged initially but falters later, the movie scores a 7.2 on IMDb, reflecting its appeal to Ajith's loyal fanbase while leaving casual viewers wanting more depth.
Ajith Kumar, the film's centerpiece, takes on a role that fits him like a glove—a stylish, intense gangster with a layered backstory involving family drama. His screen presence is magnetic, balancing gritty action sequences with emotional vulnerability, particularly in scenes that explore his character's personal struggles. Trisha, as the female lead, complements Ajith with a stunning performance, bringing both elegance and strength to her role. The supporting cast performs adequately, ensuring the narrative stays on track without unnecessary distractions. Director Adhik Ravichandran, known for his fan-service storytelling, crafts a film that maximizes Ajith’s star power, with mass elevation moments designed to elicit cheers from theater audiences.
The film’s first half is a standout, packed with stylish action, witty dialogues, and a gripping pace that keeps you hooked. The background score by G.V. Prakash Kumar adds intensity, particularly in fight sequences—one of which features a remastered Darkeyy song, a nostalgic touch that Adhik incorporated as a tribute to his younger days. The cinematography and production design are commendable, creating a visually appealing backdrop for the gritty gangster drama. However, the second half loses momentum, with predictable plot twists and a pacing that feels sluggish at times. While the climax manages to salvage the experience with a satisfying resolution, it doesn’t fully compensate for the uneven narrative flow.
The storyline, while not groundbreaking, blends action with emotionally charged family drama. Ajith’s character navigates a world of crime while grappling with personal dilemmas, a trope familiar in Tamil cinema but executed with enough flair to keep fans entertained. The film’s themes of loyalty, betrayal, and redemption are handled with a commercial sensibility, prioritizing fan-pleasing moments over deeper storytelling. For international audiences, the UK release was notably edited to secure a 12A classification, with cuts to strong language, violence, drug misuse, and sexualized dancing—an uncut 15 classification was also available for those seeking the full experience.
Overall, Good Bad Ugly is a quintessential Ajith Kumar film—tailor-made for his fans, with enough action and drama to make it a worthwhile watch. Casual viewers might find its formulaic approach middling, but if you walk in with no expectations, you’ll likely leave satisfied. It’s a film that knows its audience and delivers just enough to keep them cheering.
