Rambo Movie Review: A decent action drama with limited emotional impact.

Breaking away from his trademark rural dramas, director Muthaiah takes a detour into urban action territory with Rambo, now streaming directly on Sun NXT. Starring Arulnithi in the lead, the film unfolds in the bustling settings of Madurai and Trichy, offering a compact action drama that stays within its limits.

The film opens with an intriguing parallel between two childhoods – one marked by nurturing parenting and another by its absence. This juxtaposition sets up the hero and villain’s arcs early on. The story then shifts to a mysterious suicide at a college campus, drawing attention to Tanya Ravichandran’s character, who is determined to uncover the truth. Her search for justice leads her to Rambo (Arulnithi), a disciplined kickboxer who also runs an orphanage, driven by his own experience of growing up in one.

As events unfold, Rambo is drawn into a larger conflict involving the antagonist’s camp, which has ties to the campus tragedy. With financial pressure mounting and Tanya in danger, Rambo must navigate personal trials and physical battles to bring those responsible to justice. The second half reveals the deeper motives behind the antagonists and brings in a few predictable but serviceable twists.

Arulnithi delivers a restrained and fairly convincing performance as the titular Rambo, showing ease in the action sequences. Known for his recent run of thrillers, this role adds a slightly different shade to his filmography, though it doesn’t push him into new territory. Tanya Ravichandran has limited screen time and scope but does what’s required in the emotional moments. Mollywood actor Ranjith Sajeev brings a strong physical presence as the antagonist and fits well into the action setup. Among the supporting cast, Bigg Boss fame Aayesha is notable in her brief role, while VTV Ganesh, Harish Peradi, and Jenson Dhivakar deliver passable performances that serve the narrative.

On the technical front, RD Rajasekhar’s cinematography is competent but lacks visual flair. The urban backdrop feels underutilized, and the action sequences could have been framed with more dynamism. Ghibran’s music does its job without standing out; the score supports the narrative in parts but rarely heightens the emotional or dramatic moments. These technical choices, though adequate, don’t elevate the film beyond its functional storytelling. In the end, Rambo is a crisp and decent but unremarkable action flick. It might appeal to Arulnithi fans or those seeking a no-risk, time-pass watch, but it doesn’t leave a lasting impact.

Rambo Movie Rating: 2.75/5