TIK TIK TIK (2018)

Critic - No.155

Director: Shakthi Sounder Rajan
Casts: Jayam Ravi, Nivetha Pethuraj, Aaron Aziz, Ramesh Thilak, Jayaprakash, Vincent Asokan, Arjunan, Aarav Ravi
Language: Tamil
Genre: Action / Sci-Fi / Thriller
Music: D Imman

SYNOPSIS:
The Defence Space Division in India, hires a skilful trickster (Jayam Ravi) and travels to space to stop a destructive asteroid from hitting the planet.

REVIEW:
Shakthi Sounder Rajan is one of the most underrated upcoming director who dares to venture out into outlandish themes that are influenced by Hollywood. Nanayam (bank heist), Naaigal Jaakirathai (a thriller with a canine as a sidekick) and Miruthan (zombie) contained a definite drive to push the boundaries despite whether they are successful or not. In Tik Tik Tik, he literally attempts to soar higher, quite literally.

The film starts off with a very template style of small catastrophe that strikes Chennai which moves on to establish the main threat that is about to destroy large part of the world. People who are exposed to Hollywood space films (majority of the audience) will predict the entire film in the first ten minutes. With a big budget and decent visual effects team (in context of the budget), Shakthi could have imposed more unpredictable escalations and deeper emotional stakes in the story.

The fact that the Defence Space Division is pinning their hope on a small time tricksters, is largely unbelievable. And training them in 2-3 days for a space mission is a clear example of misusing cinematic liberty. The father and son emotional track could have been explored more to create a sense of urgency in the second half. But what we get is just a genuinely shot song and two short scenes of them. 

All these problems might make section of the audience to detach from the emotional space of the film very early into the film. Even though we can understand that the concept has to be ‘Indianized’ to cater to the Indian market, too much of compromises for this bold concept is upsetting.

That said, ‘Tik Tik Tik’ has its moments especially during the space portions where the quality of the product looks impressive for an Indian film. The neat visual effects, Imman’s stimulating music and Jayam Ravi’s seasoned performance does make you invest your attention for the story at parts. Despite having an upcoming famous heroine, Shakthi avoids any romantic angle to be developed which is commendable.

Nivetha and Vincent Asokan are just okay in their thinly written characters. Popular Singapore/Malaysian actor Aaron Aziz plays a typical masala loud villain. And guess what, this Malay actor plays a China Captain! For a director who breaks away from conventions, succumbing to a straight masala template in second half is disappointing. On the brighter side, the last racy 10 to 20 minutes will make up for all the lacks in the story set ups. Kudos to cinematographer Venkatesh for his detailed lighting and the apt mood he created for a space film. His visuals retains us in the film whenever the story fumbles.

If you are ready to forgive these glitches, ‘Tik Tik Tik’ will be an enjoyable visual treat that is entertaining and unique for an Indian film. If it doesn’t, then the making off footage during the end credits will surely earn your respect for the entire team. Shakthi Sounder Rajan stamps his courage yet again with a commercially viable product. Leave your brains at home if you want to enjoy this technically rich space film.

VERDICT: 
Despite the weak writing and logic misfires, ‘Tik Tik Tik’ opens up a whole room possibilities for space genres in Indian cinema, that should be motivated.

CELLULOID METER- 2.5/5: