44. Ayalaan; movie review

 

AYALAAN

Cert 12A

155 mins

BBFC advice: Contains moderate violence, threat, bloody images

This is novel... a Tamil-language film which recreates a rather lovable ET-style alien who comes to save the world from a crazed megalomaniac.

Yep, this little green man does the modern-day equivalent of phoning home and has a few special powers.

There are no charming child stars in R. Ravikumar's Ayalaan - nevertheless, it is aimed at the whole family.

Its star, Sivakarthikeyan, says it is meant to please rather than be taken too seriously. That's a good job because there are many unanswered questions.

He plays Tamizh, a villager with a good heart who finds himself befriended by the being from another world (voiced by Siddharth).

They clash with a ruthless scientist (Sharad Kelkar), seeking fortune and fame by drilling into the Earth's centre, regardless of the perilous consequences.

The alien has special powers but the Kelkar's cruel villain keeps one step ahead of him and all seems as if it is going to be lost.

On the side of the good guys is a band of chancers, including Tamil comedy-movie mainstay Yogi Babu and a teacher (Rakul Preet Singh) who is Tamizh's love interest.

There are a few song and dance routines, laboured comedy and plenty of action with many visual effects surrounding the alien and his spaceship.

For me, the slapstick comedy, romance and music jarred against the battle to save the planet. 

Also, I wondered how children would take to the shocking cruelty meted out to the friendly visitor from outer space.

On the plus side, Sivakarthikeyan is very likeable in the lead. 

Reasons to watch: Offbeat comedy

Reasons to avoid: Too daft in parts

Laughs: Chuckles rather than laughs

Jumps: None

Vomit: None

Nudity: None

Overall rating: 5.5/10

Did you know? Ayalaan has over 4500 visual effects shots - the most for an Indian film.

The final word. Sivakarthikeyan: "Ayalaan has been made to give the audience a 'theme park' experience. This is not a conventional film. This is not a serious-minded fantasy drama." Ragalahari

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