RDX: Robert Dony Xavier

RDX has its fair share of problems, maybe because it's the director's debut, but it had more than enough to look over those for me, and since even with films like "Thallumaala" such proper action-oriented films still are not always sight that is seen in Malayalam. The film has what feels like a template 90s Malayalam action movie story and for that, they chose the early 2000s as the time period. But those 90s movies were more about the firebrand dialogues that would hype you up which would end with a bang of action, which, even though it wouldn't look that great, was not bad, and was entertaining enough for the time. Here, they chose to showcase the villains in a way that we are already enraged enough, so the story flows with just enough exposition and the rest would naturally lead to the action scenes, and then filled it with a variety of settings for the action. Neeraj, gets the least focus among the three, as Xavier but his dancing skills are converted into the nunchuck-wielding martial artist and works great with what he has. Anthony Pepe, following his flavour of action from "Angamaly Diaries" and "Ajagajantharam" shows off his "naadan thallu" and comes off as the hardest hitting "boxer". Shane as Robert does look like the hero here, pulling off romance and action without any problem and also clearly showing he's much more than a "depression star" as many like to call him. The three of them made a great team together and the mere presence of Babu Antony, the OG martial artist star of Malayalam makes it a great experience (even though I would have really liked it if he had more to do in it).

Now, the movie does have a lot of problems. The flashback love story was a bit dragging even though the 90s music filling that space and hitting us with nostalgia was a clever way to not make it feel too laggy. The action by Anbarivu was great but the cinematography and the editing of the action scenes themselves could have been a lot better.

However, despite all the problems, it was a great experience watching something that simultaneously satisfies those who miss the 90s and those who want a decent action movie of modern times.

The start was powerful, including the attack on family and the villain's show, Don't know what happened after that, unwanted, cliché scenes,acting; overshowing that this is near millennium.

The build up is super when the villains enter and the heroes and family we so desperate to escape. But the problem is... some silly karate moves cannot save you from people with dagger and knives.the villains were clearly shown in queue to attack the hero just like old movies.(avan adichit njan adikkam, alle kallakali aakum). It is the peak of dissatisfaction when the villains always get only punches and the whole family had to suffer a lot including a kid.

''Yeah,u r right ''it is not a movie like jailer, then why they have to show so much violence against a family and no satisfaction in repaying.... It ente abhipraayam, Nanni,namaskaaram.

Action choreography, direction and background music made the movie.

If you insist on a story, you might want to carry a balarama with you.

Nothing Nolan about this movie - simple stuff, stylish action weaved into emotions. With a no-star cast, the director has been able to pull off a pretty good movie.

Background music had a freshness to it and complimented the action very well. Facial expression closeups backed by Sam CS' BGM.

Action choreography is very well done, lot of meticulous work has gone into stylizing each and every shot. Acting performances have been great - good screen presence from Pepe, Shane and Neeraj. Pepe stood out a little more.

It is a light stylized action movie.

Robert, Dony and Xavier are basically bros who seek an opportunity to create mayhem. They are martial artists too, trained by Xavier's father while Robert and Dony's father Philip doesn't approve their shenanigans. After an hiatus involving non-violence, their casual brawl from the past puts the family at risk and RDX have to take matters into their hands to safeguard the family. But it's not an ordinary brawl anymore and RDX have to realize, it will take a lot of nunchucks, punches and kicks to take down this opponent.

It's a threadbare storyline and there isn't much innovative story wise. It's a revenge story and all that matters are the six action set pieces choreographed by Anbariv and good background score to elevate them. The first half was pretty mediocre with the three action scenes not really leaving any impact and the actors too try to make merry from what's offered to them. The story moves in a decent pace and the sole advantage is that the first half doesn't drag.

The second half is where the film shines with three terrific action scenes which raises the bar as well as tension. It's all non-stop action here and it stays entertaining till the end. The trio gets a lot of slow motion shots to show their heroic side, with Neeraj Madhav using the nunchucks in the best way possible while Antony Varghese packing solid punches. It is Shane Nigam who is given ample scope to spread his charms while showcasing his action skills. The problem is they aren't the typical martial artists and thankfully the well conceived action scenes, elevate them too.

RDX is a well established Action packed movie following the footsteps of Ajagajanthiram & Thallumala. Anbraivu's action is the major highlight of the movie with impeccable action scenes. Anthony Varghese, Neeraj Madhav & Shane Nigam, the male protagonists performed whole throughout the movie with slight upper hand by Neeraj & Shane. Background score & songs by Sam CS also helped the movie to be more interesting. The antagonists played by Vishnu Agasthya, Sandeep, etc delivered their finest performance and I will consider that as the backbone of the movie. Family sentiments and romance was perfectly fused with the high octane action. Cinematography by Alex. J. Pulickal was top notch. Editing by Chaman Chacko deserves a loud round of applause for making RDX a crispy explosive one.

The lady characters played by Mahima, Aimie, Mala Parvathi deserves special mention.

All in Whole, as the name denotes.. RDX is mass destruction Explosive.

Watch it in theaters for the amazing experience.

8.7 on 10 is my score.