Baby John Movie Review: A Thrilling Yet Predictable Action Drama
Director: Kalees
Cast: Varun Dhawan, Keerthy Suresh, Jackie Shroff, Wamiqa Gabbi
Genre: Action, Thriller
Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)
Plot: A High-Stakes Family Drama
Baby John is an action-packed thriller that blends family drama with intense action sequences. The story revolves around John, a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), whose life is turned upside down after a series of tragic events. As the narrative unfolds, John finds himself facing personal and professional challenges that force him to make extreme decisions to protect his loved ones.
The film is based on the 2016 Tamil hit Theri and follows a similar storyline, featuring a strong father-daughter bond and a man on a mission to avenge his family. As John dives deeper into a world filled with criminals, deception, and betrayal, he must use his skills as a cop to overcome the odds and restore peace to his life.
Performance: Varun Dhawan’s Strong Presence
Varun Dhawan plays the titular role of John, and as expected, he delivers a solid performance. His portrayal of a tough, yet emotionally vulnerable cop works well for the character. Varun’s ability to balance intense action scenes with emotional moments adds depth to the film, making his character relatable to the audience.
Keerthy Suresh, making her Bollywood debut, plays a crucial role in the film, and she does justice to her character, though her role doesn’t stand out as much in comparison to Varun’s. Jackie Shroff provides a sense of gravitas to the film, while Wamiqa Gabbi adds a refreshing touch, though both their roles are more supporting than central.
The real star of the film is Varun Dhawan, whose energy and screen presence elevate the overall experience.
Direction and Cinematography: Slick and Stylish
Directed by Kalees, Baby John succeeds in delivering the expected thrills, with high-octane action sequences, sleek choreography, and engaging fight scenes. However, the film doesn’t break new ground in terms of direction. The pacing is fast, keeping the viewers hooked in the first half, though the second half does get a bit predictable and slow at times.
The cinematography by Kiran Koushik is one of the film’s highlights. The action scenes are beautifully shot, especially the chase sequences and fight scenes, which keep the adrenaline pumping. The use of lighting and camera angles enhances the dramatic moments and adds to the visual appeal of the film.
Music and Soundtrack: A Mixed Bag
The soundtrack of Baby John doesn’t offer anything particularly memorable. While the background score helps to set the mood during intense moments, the songs don’t make much of an impact. Thaman S’s music does the job, but it’s nothing we haven’t heard before in other action thrillers. The soundtrack doesn’t linger in your mind after the film ends, which is a bit of a letdown given the film’s otherwise strong presentation.
Action and Visuals: Entertaining but Formulaic
One of the standout aspects of Baby John is its action. The film includes several high-energy fight sequences that are intense and engaging. Whether it’s hand-to-hand combat, car chases, or gunfights, the action keeps the audience entertained. That being said, there’s a noticeable formulaic approach to these sequences. If you’re familiar with action films, you’ll find some of these scenes predictable, and the overall lack of originality in choreography feels like a missed opportunity.
Visually, the film shines. The sculpted glass back and the high-definition quality make the film look polished, even if the content itself is not groundbreaking.
Weaknesses: Predictability and Clichéd Tropes
Despite its gripping action, Baby John falls into the trap of predictability. The storyline, while engaging initially, soon begins to follow familiar patterns seen in other action thrillers. From the tragic backstory to the relentless pursuit of justice, the film doesn’t offer much that feels new or surprising. The emotional beats and character arcs also feel a little clichéd, which could have been avoided with a bit more character development.
Additionally, the film relies heavily on established tropes of the action genre – the lone hero, the vengeful father, and the supporting cast with no real depth. While these elements are enjoyable in their own right, they leave little room for freshness or innovation.
Over all: A Decent Thriller, But Nothing Groundbreaking
Baby John is a film that will entertain action lovers, especially those who enjoy a high-stakes drama with plenty of twists and turns. While the film boasts strong performances, particularly from Varun Dhawan, and impressive visuals, it lacks the originality needed to stand out in a crowded genre. The predictable storyline and familiar action tropes may leave some viewers wanting more.
For those looking for a thrilling ride with emotional stakes, Baby John delivers on that front. However, if you’re expecting something new or groundbreaking, you may find the film falling short of expectations.
Verdict: Baby John is an enjoyable, action-packed ride, but it doesn’t break any new ground in terms of story or innovation. It’s a solid entertainer, but don’t expect anything revolutionary.
Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3/5) Read More…