How can a cinematic idea that has been milked to its limits be stretched further without seeming like the filmmaker is flogging a dead horse? Bring in multiple timelines. That’s exactly what writer-director Midhun Manuel Thomas does with Aadu 3: One Last Ride: Part 1, the third instalment of the spoofy satire Aadu Oru Bheekara Jeeviyaanu (2015).
Curiously, the goat that inspired the title is absent. Instead, we have a donkey. And despite its ambitious scope and comedic potential, the nearly three-hour film only offers a series of character introductions rather than a cohesive narrative.
The Premise: Three Timelines, One Franchise
Midhun attempts to expand the franchise by setting it across three time periods:
| Timeline | Setting |
|---|---|
| Late 18th Century | Shaji Pappan is a local king resisting Tipu’s forces; Dude leads Tipu’s army. |
| Present Day | The familiar characters in their original setting. |
| 2300s | A corporate entity rules the world. |
The characters retain their goofy, self-destructive personalities across eras, wearing period costumes but behaving like their meme-famous selves. The crossing of timelines toward the end throws up some interesting encounters, but not enough to elevate the film.
What Worked for the Franchise—And What Doesn’t
The popularity of the Aadu films has always been about the quirks of the characters rather than the plot. The first instalment, a box office failure at release, found a second life through internet memes. Characters like Shaji Pappan and Arakkal Abu became cult figures, their fame outlasting the films themselves.
But that approach reaches its limits here. The film’s humour relies heavily on repartees, which get tiring after a point. The multiple timelines provide an excuse to play new theme songs for familiar characters, but they don’t compensate for a story that aimlessly meanders for a good part of its runtime.
| Aspect | Critique |
|---|---|
| Structure | Feels like a series of character introductions rather than a cohesive narrative. |
| Humor | Only a handful of jokes land; the constant repartees become exhausting. |
| Pacing | Bloated; the 170-minute runtime meanders without purpose. |
| Timelines | Ambitious in concept, but the time-hopping doesn’t add meaningful depth. |
| Ending | No resolution; ends with the promise of another part (Aadu 3: Part 2). |
The Verdict
For a film whose USP has always been its quirky characters, Aadu 3 offers more of the same but stretched far beyond its natural limits. The multiple timelines feel like a gimmick to justify the continuation of a franchise that may have run its course. As the reviewer puts it, “The goat appears to be set for some more flogging,” with the film ending without resolution and the promise of yet another sequel.
For die-hard fans of Shaji Pappan and his gang, there may be moments to enjoy. But for viewers seeking a satisfying comedic narrative, this is a bloated, meandering ride that outstays its welcome.
