Rifle Club

The cinematic work known as Rifle Club can be classified as an action thriller drama genres, and a subgenre of gun fight. The film was directed by Aashiq Abu.

The narrative under scrutiny pertains to the history of the rifle club, an establishment with a long and distinguished history in the realm of firearms. The club boasts a rich tapestry of experiences interwoven with the annals of military history, offering a unique perspective on the evolution of armaments and the pursuit of marksmanship. The club has a considerable number of members. The majority of these individuals are residing at the club. The romantic movie star, Shajahan, would take on the role of the lead actor in an action movie. In order to prepare for his role, he attended the rifle club to practise firing a gun. Subsequently, his cousin and girlfriend followed him to the club, having escaped from a gangster team. The younger son of Daya, a gangster operating within the Mangalore region, was killed by this cousin and girlfriend, albeit without any discernible motive. The older son proceeded in the direction of the club, where he was apprehended by members of the club. He was subsequently shot by the aforementioned members. Subsequently, Daya and his entire cohort proceeded to launch an attack on the club. However, the club members successfully vanquished and killed each and every member of the gang.

The narrative was of adequate quality. The direction exhibited a standard quality. The performances are of a commendable standard, and the musical scores are a notable aspect of the film. A number of visual effects (VFX) scenes appear to deviate from conventional norms, evoking a sense of peculiarity or otherworldliness in their presentation. Nevertheless, it is a film that can be watched on a single time and recommended to others.

"Rifle Club" is a Malayalam film that embraces a vintage style, offering a visually rich and action-packed experience. While it boasts an impressive cast and technical excellence, it falls short in storytelling and leaves an incomplete impact.

Positives:

One of the biggest strengths of Rifle Club is its stellar performances. Dileesh Pothan, Anurag Kashyap, Hanuman Kind, Vishnu Agasthya, Vijayaraghavan, Suresh Krishna, Vani Vishwanath, and Ponnamma Babu deliver strong performances. Among them, Dileesh Pothan, Anurag Kashyap, Hanuman Kind, and Vishnu Agasthya stand out with exceptional screen presence. Hanuman Kind, in particular, brings an effortless swag that elevates the film's vintage charm.

The technical aspects shine in Rifle Club, with excellent cinematography, well-executed action choreography, and an immersive background score. The color tones and camera angles enhance the film's old-school aesthetic, making it visually captivating.

Negatives:

On the downside, the film struggles with weak character writing, particularly for Unnimaya Prasad and Surabhi. Their roles feel forced into the narrative, attempting to create strong feminine leads, but their portrayal and attitude do not blend well with the overall tone of the movie. In contrast, Vani Vishwanath and Ponnamma Babu fit seamlessly into the film's world with their commendable performances.

The biggest letdown is the story itself. It follows a predictable revenge arc, failing to introduce any surprising twists or an impactful climax. While the film maintains a stylish and fast-paced execution, the script lacks depth, preventing it from reaching greatness. The direction is competent but not groundbreaking.

Final Verdict:

Rifle Club is a film that thrives on performances, vintage aesthetics, and stylish action. It delivers an engaging experience but lacks a gripping narrative to make it truly memorable. If you enjoy films driven by strong characters and stylish execution rather than a fresh storyline, this one is worth a watch.

Rifle Club is an action-packed tale of guns, vengeance, and family dynamics, centering on a rifle club family and their standoff with a gangster and his sons. The film starts on a slow note, spending time setting up the narrative and introducing a sprawling cast. While this deliberate pace may test some viewers' patience, it lays the groundwork for an explosive second half.

The turning point comes with a series of intense, high-stakes shootouts that showcase thrilling action choreography and keep you at the edge of your seat. However, the large ensemble cast is a double-edged sword; many characters feel underutilized, leaving some subplots half-baked.

Despite its uneven pacing and loose ends, *Rifle Club* delivers an adrenaline-pumping climax that action lovers will enjoy. It's a movie that thrives on its second-half spectacle but could've been more impactful with tighter storytelling and better character focus.

A stylish fun movie about a bunch of people who finally get their wish to flex their shooting skills in a real way with the guns they love. The few problems for me were that the songs were not that impressive and affected the flow of the film, even though they were well integrated in the script and the film could've had more character development so that we could feel more satisfied with each of them eventually ending up more badass than initially shown. I was so happy to see so many of these actors who most would not initially think to be such badasses having an absolute blast here. Glad to see Vani Vishwanath after so many years reminding everyone why she's been the only real action heroine of Malayalam. This has such a huge ensemble cast that it feels impossible to mention everyone but each had their moment that really stays with you. Really wish this was longer and showcased everyone being cool even more.

Rating - 4/5

A retro style slow burning drama on the backdrop of a hillside Rifle Club.

The story in a nutshell is about the Rifle club and their proud legacy persevered by the successors through the passion of hunting is disrupted by an arm dealer for his personal vengeance.

The writer trio Syam,Dileesh & Suhas has written a visual treat for the audience giving umpteen goosebump moments. Aashiq has effortlessly set background for the storyline that slowly progresses with hilarious dialogues and peak moments complemented with Rex Vijayan's swagging BGM's captivating the viewers to the screen. The first half crawling in few moments gets concealed by an interval punch. The latter half is completely engaging with phenomenal action sequences,Rifles,bloodshed,fire,bullets. The filmmakers pulled off with a spectacular cast giving avenues for their performances.

Startling performances by Dileesh Pothan,Vijayaraghavan,Hanumankind,Vishnu Agastya,Vani Viswanath & Natesh Hegde. Anurag Kashyap has made a kick-ass performance and his contemptuous smile is simply lit. Darshana,Vineeth,Surabhi,Suresh Krishna,Unnimaya,Kiran Peethambaran,Prasant Murali & Sajeev has also made notable performances.

Aashiq Abu has not disheartened the audience by wearing the hat of a DOP. His pioneer effort in capturing the action sequences,the natural lights and beauty of the Western ghats and the period ambience is worth mentioning. Saajan has effortlessly tuned the movie to a complete action packed entertainer. The efforts by Ajayan Chalisssery in giving a retro antique look to the club and sourcing the vehicles deserves appreciation. Action Choreographer Supreme Sundar,Costumes by Mashar Hamsa and the colorist Remesh CP deserves big hugs for their contribution for setting the tone and elevating the movie to a wholesome entertainer.

A must watch entertainer in the theatres to witness a clean masterstroke by Aashiq Abu .