Before heading to theatres, you have to clear your thoughts that
Mugamoodi will be no Hollywood flick rather a Tamil movie, which has
taken inspiration from the Hollywood superhero movies, made for the
Kollywood audience. Directed by Mysskin, who is known for making
critically-acclaimed films, the movie is a tribute to Chinese-American
actor Bruce Lee.
Mysskin's approach to Mugamoodi is realistic, like before, and he has
not tried to add unnecessary commercial elements. He has blended the
qualities (in film) of Bruce Lee and Batman to give birth to our
superhero. It has to be noted that he has not projected Jeeva as a man
with extraordinary qualities taken birth to save his people, but a
hero, who works within his limits to serve for a cause.
The movie kick-starts on a serious note and tries to draw your attention
in the opening scene itself. A gang of robbers unsettle the city by
robbing the riches and killing them. The issue awakes the cops after the
gang loots for the seventh time. Cop Gaurav (Nassar) is being appointed
to catch the culprits. We are also introduced to Bruce Lee aka Anand
aka Mugamoodi, who has been trained in Kung Fu by Chandru (Selvaah), and
the baddie played by Narain.
Being a jobless, Bruce Lee often lands in fights and gets nice
tongue-lashing for his acts from his father. When his father points his
finger at his guru for being useless to his family, the son objects his
father's statement on his guru for his mistakes. During one of his
fights, he gets caught by Shakti, the daughter of cop Gaurav, and she
gets him arrested. His anger on her, turns to love in his second sight
and in order to meet her at home, he dons the superman avatar, which
accidentally makes him help the cops to catch a culprit involved in the
robbery.
The outcome of the incident is that Bruce Lee learns a new form of Kung
Fu, which is not thought by his guru, thereby giving hints of the
latter's past. What is Chandru's flashback? How does his love for Shakti
give a twist to the story? How Narain is connected to Chandru? Answers
to all these questions should be seen on-screen.
The story of Mugamoodi, unlike Hollywood movies, is not a complex tale
to understand. Mysskin does not hurry in his story telling and narrates
it in his own time. The progress of the characters are slow and
believable. It seems like the director wanted to make Mugamoodi a
franchise, as the heroism of the superhero will only start in the later
part of the second half.
The interesting factor about the movie is that it has not glorified the
main roles with superhuman qualities rather restricted to human limits.
Adding to that the fights, scenes and characters, all are realistic
which have to be appreciated. Especially, the action sequences and
chases are treat to watch.
Jeeva wins the show through his astounding performance. His acting is
good but his action sequences get full marks. Narain has tried to
imitate Joker - famous made by Heath Ledger - of The Dark Night and
Pooja Hegde makes a good start in her career, as she has done decent
job. Technically, Sathya's cinematography is brilliant, and K's three
songs have already become chart busters. His background score has set
the right mood to watch.
On the flip side, the slow narration and absence of the regular
masala-element might not go well the some sections of the audience and
there are jerks at screenplay. Mugamoodi would have a better appeal if
the length of the movie would be reduced.
Verdict: It's worth a watch.
