Arjun’s latest action entertainer, Blast, came in with high expectations, and fans really wanted to see the actor in a huge mass-action avatar. Full of high-octane action, pretty visuals and punchy dialogue, Blast looks like a really good movie (as far as it comes from the commercial side of it). But the big question is whether Blast is good beyond the action scenes?
Charged with a fearless officer (Arjun) who fights a dangerous criminal network in the city to protect the city's safety, the film moves at a fast pace, with action, chases, explosions, and big scenes. Arjun is a strong, energy-driven actor, and the movie is all about him as he walks through the film confidently, as he is a movie star and a menace in it.
The action choreography is probably Blast’s greatest strength. The stunt sequences are high-tech and designed for mass audiences. Whether it’s hand-to-hand combat, fast chase scenes or slow-motion hero elevations, the movie has some good whistle-worthy moments. Arjun looks great in action mode and proves again why he is loved by action movie fans.
The background music and sound design also help to impact the film. The elevation scenes are helped by a potent score that adds to the theatre experience. Blast is also big visually, too, with slick cinematography and well-designed action set pieces.
However, as effective as the action parts are, the film is not very good in terms of the story. The screenplay is a familiar one in commercial action dramas. There are a couple of twists that are predictable, and the emotional depth is hard to penetrate with the audience. Better writing and better pacing would be needed in the second half.
The supporting cast gives good performances, but most characters have limited scope beyond supporting the hero’s journey. The villain starts strong but eventually starts to lose his impact as the piece progresses. The romantic track and a few comedy scenes feel forced and slow the momentum down at times.
Despite all these shortcomings, Blast is good at entertaining people who like loud commercial entertainers with action and heroism. There is no attempt to remake the genre, but in fact, it only aims to give a mass theatrical experience. Arjun fans will love his ability and the film’s energy.
Blast is an action-adventure that offers good fight scenes and hero moments, even if the narrative is rather predictable. If you go to the theatre for a commercial action film instead of a content-laden thriller, the movie does work to some degree.
