Release Date: February 21, 2025
Rating: 2.75/5
Starring: Pradeep Ranganathan, KS Ravi Kumar, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Mysskin, Vj Siddhu, Harshath Khan, Anupama Parameshwaran, Kayadu Lohar, Mariam George, Indhumathy Manigandan, Thenappan & Others
Director: Ashwath Marimuthu
Producers: Kalpathi S Aghoram, Kalpathi S Ganesh, Kalpathi S Suresh
Music Director: Leon James
Cinematographer: Niketh Bommi
Editor: Pradeep E Ragav
Introduction
Pradeep Ranganathan, who gained immense popularity with Love Today, returns with yet another film, Return of the Dragon. Directed by Ashwath Marimuthu, this movie explores a youth-centric story with a message. Featuring Anupama Parameswaran as the female lead, the film generated considerable buzz before its release. But does it live up to expectations? Let’s dive into the details.
Plot Summary
Dragon (played by Pradeep Ranganathan) is a college dropout who has failed in a staggering 48 subjects. To make matters worse, his girlfriend Keerthy (Anupama Parameswaran) breaks up with him. Determined to prove himself, he takes a dubious shortcut—using fake certificates to land a respectable position in life. Just when things seem to be going his way, his college principal (played by Mysskin) resurfaces and threatens to expose his fraudulent credentials. The only way to salvage his future? Returning to college and completing his education. What follows is a journey of redemption, personal growth, and the battle to turn his life around.
What Works in the Film?
A Relatable Theme
Director Ashwath Marimuthu presents a subject that resonates with young audiences. The film effectively delivers a powerful message—there are no shortcuts to success. You have to grind and work your way up.
A Strong Lead Performance
Pradeep Ranganathan delivers an engaging performance. He portrays the character’s struggles, frustrations, and emotional turmoil convincingly, especially in the climax. His transformation from a carefree, manipulative individual to someone who understands the value of hard work is depicted well.
An Engaging Second Half
Though the film starts slow, the second half gains momentum, especially during the college scenes. The transition of Dragon’s character and his evolving mindset keep the audience invested. The interval twist adds intensity to the story.
Solid Supporting Cast
Anupama Parameswaran delivers a mature and restrained performance. Kayadu Lohar, playing a key role, impresses in her limited screen time. Mysskin, as the strict principal, shines in his authoritative role. The supporting cast also brings depth to the film.
A Few Well-Timed Comedic Moments
While not loaded with humor, the comedy scenes that do appear land well, adding some much-needed entertainment.
Where the Film Falls Short
Pacing Issues and Lengthy Runtime
One of the biggest flaws of Return of the Dragon is its slow pace. The film spends too much time establishing how Dragon manipulates his way to success. This over-explanation makes the first half drag unnecessarily.
Underdeveloped Love Story
The romantic arc between Pradeep and Anupama lacks emotional depth. Their relationship doesn’t feel well-developed, which weakens its impact.
Uneven Emotional Depth
The movie attempts to portray a strong emotional arc, but it falls short. The connection between Dragon’s struggles and his realization of self-worth needed more powerful moments.
Predictable Narrative
Despite its unique premise, the story follows a predictable path. A more unpredictable screenplay with stronger emotional payoffs could have elevated the film significantly.
Editing Could Have Been Tighter
The film could have benefited from at least 15 minutes of trimming. The slow build-up affects engagement, making it feel stretched at points.
Technical Aspects
Music & Background Score
Leon James' background score is impactful, adding intensity to key moments. However, the songs fail to make an impression. None of them stand out, which is a letdown for a film that could have used memorable tracks.
Cinematography & Visuals
Niketh Bommi’s cinematography is a highlight. The college scenes and transformation sequences are well-shot, creating the right mood for the film.
Production Values
The film boasts high production quality. The sets, costumes, and overall look of the movie feel polished and visually appealing.
Direction
Ashwath Marimuthu presents a story that is relevant and engaging, but he takes too long to get to the core conflict. The execution could have been sharper, with a tighter narrative and stronger emotional highs.
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Final Verdict
Return of the Dragon has a promising concept, but it is stretched unnecessarily. The film gets bogged down by slow pacing and an underwhelming love story. However, it does deliver a good message and features some engaging moments, especially in the second half. If you don’t mind a lengthy watch and want a drama with a youthful theme, you can give it a try—but keep your expectations in check.
