'Mathu Vadalara 2' is produced by Clap Entertainment and presented by Mythri Movie Makers. The film is a sequel to the 2019 crime comedy, 'Mathu Vadalara'.
Story:
Babu Mohan (Sri Simha Koduri) and Yesu Dasu (Satya), two greedy special agents working to resolve high-stakes kidnapping cases at the High Emergency Team have a secret side hustle: they discreetly pilfer money during their rescue operations. But their double lives unravel when they become embroiled in a murder.
Performances & Technical Output:
Sri Simha Koduri rises up to the challenge of his role. But it is his co-star, Satya, who is the film's de facto hero. Satya has matured into a skilled comedian known for his exaggerated physical comedy. This film fully capitalizes on his comedic abilities. Faria Abdullah's portrayal of Nidhi falls short of expectations. Considering the genre, this film should have made better use of her talent more than 'Jathi Ratnalu'. Vennela Kishore shines as a celeb harbouring classist attitudes; he enjoys playing this two-shaded role to the hilt. Sunil's timing is serviceable but feels dated.
The film would have benefited from the inclusion of at least one unlikely artist. There are Rohini and Raja Chembolu, but they don't raise the bar. Someone like VK Naresh would have added the extra zing.
While Kaala Bhairava's music is solid, it doesn't break new ground. Karthika Srinivas's editing is competent, especially in the initial segments and in the pre-climax portions. Suresh Sarangam's cinematography benefits from the striking color palette.
Merits:
1. The storyline is thorough.
2. The dialogues are sharp. Even double-meaning lines don't sound below the belt. 'Major problem' and 'minor problem', 'Gems' and 'germs', and suchlike are interesting. The social media-savvy references such as 'Baane extraal' are a hit.
3. Introducing the lead men as 'Sexy Siren' and 'Sleeping Beauty' is creative; it effectively draws the viewer into the unique world of the HE Team.
4. The pre-interval block and the episode involving the Vennela Kishore-Ajay duo deserve a special mention.
5. Satya is not over-indulged just because he is the brightest comedian in the movie.
Demerits:
1. The nature of the crime comedy becomes generic in the second hour.
2. The use of coincidences in the plot doesn't bode well for the film. The audience watch sequels to successful movies with greater expectations. Coincidences are par for the course in crime comedies. Even action movies like 'Saripodhaa Sanivaaram' make use of them. But sequels and oddball comedies must come up with better ideas, ideally.
Vox Verdict:
'Mathu Vadalara 2' is a fun-filled crime comedy that starts strong but loses its momentum as the plot progresses. Its generic second half prevents it from reaching its full potential. Satya is a hoot!
Rating: 3
