‘Leo: Bloody Sweet’ Review: Over-the-Top Indian Blockbuster Adds Vijay Mystery Character to Lokesh Cinematic Universe
variety.comPeter Debruge Chief Film Critic With “Leo,” Indian director Lokesh Kanagaraj adds another “badass” to the growing network of formidable action heroes he calls the “Lokesh Cinematic Universe.” How do we know this guy’s a badass?
Because the Tamil film’s techno soundtrack tells us so, chanting “Leo Das is a badass!” before even establishing who Leo Das is.
By this time, the character in question has already wrestled a wild hyena into submission with his bare hands. He goes by the name Parthiban, not Leo Das, but signs are clear that he knows how to punch, kick and shoot his way out of a jam. “Badass” is one of those out-of-touch grandpa words: a stock description of septuagenarian tough guys like Liam Neeson and Samuel L.
Jackson whose violent deeds seem to clash with their surface appearance. It doesn’t usually apply to nepo villains like Leo, who’s more of a flash-mobster than an actual gangster, at least according to the 1999-set dance number that shows a young Leo leading a factory full of henchmen through a series of synchronized steps (practically all the backstory this shady character gets).
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