Kanchana 3 - Movie Review

'Kanchana-3', starring Ragava Lawrence in the lead, hit the screens this Friday.  Let's find out what works and what doesn't for this horror-action-comedy.

Story:

Like most horror flicks, 'Kanchana-3' follows a familiar story point.  The hero (Ragava Lawrence) lives with his family (comprising of Kovai Sarala and others).  They move to a lonesome bungalow, which is apparently haunted.

A few sessions of scare fests later, we are told a flashback in which Kalki (Lawrence, again) is introduced.  A do-gooder, he is actually much like the real-life Lawrence.  

Saying anything more about the flashback will ruin whatever little interest you may have in the movie.  The plot is that predictable.

Analysis:

The writer and director Ragava Lawrence has a strong Kanchana/Muni hangover.  From great to good to boring, the talented choreographer-turned-director has done it all by squeezing the genre way too much.

All the usual elements are there dutifully in 'Kanchana-3'.  Kovai Sarala reduces her volume, and quirky acting.  However, our Lawrence doesn't. There are not one but three skimpily-clad women wooing him.  Our hero has this habit of jumping and sitting on their hips like a child.  

If you like the kind of comedy described above, 'Kanchana-3' will partially entertain you in the first half.  The second half follows a very boring template.  A flashback that is high on a kind-hearted character, his innocuous girlfriend, a ruthless villain, etc.  We have seen enough of such ingredients in dozens and dozens of films just since Vijay Mallya ran away from the country, not to speak of the number of films since Dawood Ibrahim ran away.

We fail to understand why the three glamorous ladies (Oviya, Vedhika, and Nikki Tamboli) are attracted to the hero all at once.  Yes, it's a Kollywood-flavoured comedy but then there has to be some explanation, in the case of at least one girl?

After a point, the gory violence and the lifeless dialogues become too much to digest.  To add to the woes, the second half goes overboard with pointless songs.  Thaman's music just doesn't add value.  Even if it did, the net value would still be negative.  

Vetri's cinematography is very ordinary, and the special effects are inconsistent.  

To talk about the performances, Lawrence is at his usual self.  Somehow, he is lovable most of the times.  Probably because we love all his off-screen image a lot.   The heroines and the villains are forgettable but some side characters make a mark.

Bottom line:

'Kanchana-3' suffers from outdated ideas and templates.  A mediocre attempt that just doesn't get anything in right measure.  Some comedy scenes work.  The film has a heavy hangover effect.