The Pet Detective (2025) attempts an ambitious blend of quirky comedy, mystery, and caper film, drawing clear inspiration from classics like CID Moosa and Vettam. Starring Sharaf U Dheen as the endearing detective, the movie promises a lighthearted, fast-paced investigation. While the film has an infectious spirit and a stellar cast, the question remains: Can sheer energy and charm overcome an overly complicated, chaotic script?
Blogger Verdict: A fun, energetic comic caper with a fantastic lead performance from Sharaf U Dheen. It works in bits and pieces, but the overloaded plot gets lost in its own whirlwind of characters and subplots.
| Director | Praneesh Vijayan | | Cast | Sharaf U Dheen, Anupama Parameswaran, Vinay Forrt, Vijayaraghavan | | Genre | Comedy, Mystery, Caper Film | | Average Critic Rating | 2.5 / 5 Stars |
The Plot: From Missing Shih Tzu to Mexican Mafia
The story introduces us to Tony Jose Alula (Sharaf U Dheen), the underachieving son of a once-reputed private detective. Tony takes over his father's agency, largely motivated by his desire to impress his high-standards girlfriend, Kaikeyi Menon (Anupama Parameswaran). When a case involving a missing Shih Tzu dog lands on his desk, earning him the moniker "Pet Detective," Tony is thrust into a much larger conspiracy.
The investigation quickly spirals out of control, involving stolen exotic fish, a kidnapping ring, multiple eccentric small-time smugglers, a bumbling cop rival (Vinay Forrt), and even connections to a notorious Mexican mafia overlord from his father's past. The film becomes a frantic race against time, with every character and subplot converging at a chaotic, comical climax.
What Works: Charm, Chaos, and Climax
Sharaf U Dheen's Comic Timing: Sharaf U Dheen carries the entire film with his signature blend of self-deprecating humor and sharp counter-dialogues. He effortlessly sells the mix of a self-doubting investigator and a charming action hero.
The Ensemble Energy: The combination scenes, especially between Sharaf and his sidekick, are genuinely funny and spontaneous. Vinay Forrt as the inept cop rival lands some effective humor, channeling a classic Malayalam comedy dynamic.
The Climax Scene: The final act, set entirely within a theme park, is a full-blown, chaotic caper. This madcap sequence, reminiscent of old Priyadarshan comedies, is the highlight of the film, where all the scattered plot threads finally collide in a frantic, funny mess.
Technical Flair: Cinematographer Anend C Chandran and music director Rajesh Murugesan ensure the film looks and sounds sharp, matching the quick pace and quirky tone the director aimed for.
What Doesn't Work: Overloaded Engine
Too Many Cooks, Too Little Broth: The screenplay is overstuffed. There are too many villains, too many parallel tracks (Mexican don, smugglers, psychopaths), and not enough time to flesh out any of them. The sheer volume of plot points leaves the audience disoriented and struggling to keep track.
Wasted Potential: Characters like Anupama Parameswaran's Kaikeyi are central to the plot's motivation but have little agency in the actual investigation, feeling more like a prop than a person. Other strong actors get largely forgettable roles.
Unearned Detective Work: Despite the title, Tony doesn't use much actual detective skill. Most twists occur due to convenient plotting or accidental encounters, undermining his credibility as an investigator.
Final Verdict: Fun to Watch, Hard to Follow
The Pet Detective is a classic case of ambition over execution. Director Praneesh Vijayan has a clear vision for a chaotic, comic book-style caper, and the film does deliver a genuinely fun, stress-busting experience, particularly in the finale. However, the relentless, overcrowded script makes for an inconsistent viewing experience. Go watch it for Sharaf U Dheen’s comedic charm and the hilarious theme park climax, but don’t try too hard to make logical sense of the mayhem!
Critic Rating: ⭐⭐½ (2.5/5 Stars)
#ThePetDetective #SharafUDheen #MalayalamReview #Mollywood #ComedyCaper #IndianFilmUpdates #AnupamaParameswaran
No comments:
Post a Comment