Aadu 3 First Half review: Midhun Manuel sets the tone with slow, nostalgic warm-up

If you’re expecting Aadu 3 to hit you with nonstop chaos from the first frame, you’re in for a little surprise. The film takes its time in the first half, reintroducing the gang and building the setup, which can feel slow if you came purely for laughs.

The story juggles two timelines. One has Shaji Pappan (Jayasurya) and his crew dealing with new challengers, and the other, set in the 1700s, offers hints at their origins. The historical angle is an interesting choice, but it sometimes interrupts the momentum, making the first half feel like it’s warming up rather than running full speed.

Comedy is still the film’s main weapon, and it lands best when Dharmajan as Captain Cleetus locks horns with Pappan. Their timing is sharp, their chemistry effortless. Outside of these moments, some jokes lean on nostalgia and references to the earlier films, which isn’t always enough to carry the scenes. 

You’ll catch a few sly references to Kerala politics along the way, small touches that don’t dominate the story but are kind of fun if you spot them.

The pacing isn’t perfect, and the non-linear storytelling requires attention, but it does set the stage for the kind of chaos the franchise is known for. The first half isn’t about laughs per minute; it’s about positioning the characters and teasing bigger, messier antics to come. Follow this space for the full review.