Bazooka movie review

Cast: Mammootty and Gautham Vasudev Menon

Director: Deeno Dennis

Star rating: ★★

Creating a film featuring a prominent star is a challenging endeavor, and debut director Deeno Dennis struggles to elevate Malayalam icon Mammootty, affectionately known as Mammukka, to the status he merits in Bazooka. This film, intended as a thrilling game-centric narrative, fails to gain momentum and only attempts to redeem itself in the final moments, by which time the audience has largely lost interest.

The plot of Bazooka revolves around a crime-ridden Kochi, where the ambitious ACP Benjamin Joshua (played by Gautham Vasudev Menon) arrives with the intention of restoring order. However, a twist emerges when a particular criminal employs video games as a means to execute his illicit activities, consistently outsmarting ACP Joshua and his team, who are baffled by his methods. To assist in unraveling the clues left by this gamer, the ACP enlists the help of former forensic expert John Caesar (Mammootty). The narrative unfolds through dialogues between Caesar and his bothersome neighbor, a gamer named Hakkim Shah (Sunny Varghese). The central question remains: Can Caesar aid the police in capturing this mastermind gamer?

The title Bazooka, which refers to a shoulder-held tube used for launching rockets, reflects the mind games played among the police, the gamer known as Mr. Mario, and Caesar. Surprisingly, the video games that the director chooses to feature are not advanced technology but rather classic children's games like Super Mario, Snakes and Ladders, and Temple Run. The film is interspersed with numerous action sequences designed to highlight Mammootty’s charisma and style. However, the question arises: does the film possess a robust narrative that renders it a captivating and thrilling experience as the mystery unfolds? The answer is no.

Where Bazooka Fails

Deeno Dennis, the writer and director, aimed to create a visually impressive film centered around a fresh concept that showcases a fashionable and stylish Mammukka, whom he appears to hold in high regard, in a manner that appeals to his fans. He incorporated numerous slow-motion and close-up shots to enhance Mammukka's presence; however, in doing so, he overlooked the core narrative of the story. For instance, the police investigation is riddled with inconsistencies, and the plot lacks logical coherence, with some dialogues failing to contribute positively.

In addition to these weak lines, the film features an energetic and uplifting background score by music director Saeed Abbas, who has also included a catchy rap song titled "Loading Bazooka," performed by actor-singer Sreenath Bhasi, to inject some liveliness into the film. Cinematographer Nimish Ravi has effectively captured Mammootty's essence on screen, ensuring he stands out in every scene, while editors Nishadh Yusuf and Praveen Prabhakar strive to make the most of the film's inherent flaws.

As a thriller set in a gaming world, this genre presents a unique opportunity for the audience, yet Dennis fails to explore the workings of such heist gangs in reality, ultimately denying Mammootty a role and film that he could take pride in. By the conclusion, viewers are left questioning why Mammootty chose to participate in a project that does not do justice to his stature as an actor and a star. "Bazooka" is only worth watching for Mammootty, but even his presence cannot salvage the film.

Read Also: Bazooka Twitter Review: Mammootty’s Thriller Ignites Social Media with Electrifying Climax, Despite Plot Criticisms

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