Bazooka Movie Review: Even Mammootty Can’t Save This Misfired Game Thriller
Making a movie with a legendary star like Mammootty is no small task, and debutant director Deeno Dennis takes on this challenge with Bazooka, only to fall short in delivering a film that does justice to the actor’s stature. Billed as a stylish game thriller, Bazooka opens with promise but quickly nosedives into a muddled narrative that never quite finds its footing, only attempting redemption when it’s too late. Set in crime-ridden Kochi, the story introduces ACP Benjamin Joshua (played by filmmaker-actor Gautham Vasudev Menon), a determined officer brought in to clean up the city. He encounters an unusual adversary — a criminal mastermind who uses video games as a tool for heists and outsmarts law enforcement at every step. Baffled by this digital strategy, the ACP turns to retired forensic expert John Caesar (Mammootty) for help. The film unravels through Caesar’s interactions with his neighbour, a gamer named Hakkim Shah (Sunny Varghese), as they try to make sense of the clues left behind by the elusive criminal known only as Mr. Mario. While the premise of video games being used to commit crimes could have added a fresh layer to the thriller genre, Bazooka fails to leverage this unique concept. The games referenced — Super Mario, Temple Run, Snakes and Ladders — feel outdated and childish, undermining any real tension or intrigue the narrative could have created. Action sequences are peppered throughout, seemingly more to glorify Mammootty’s persona than to serve the plot. Where the film truly falters is in its writing. Deeno Dennis appears more focused on fan service—employing slow-motion shots, dramatic close-ups, and stylized action—to elevate Mammootty’s presence, rather than building a coherent or compelling storyline. The investigation track is riddled with logical inconsistencies, and the dialogue often borders on the absurd. Despite the intent to be slick and modern, the screenplay lacks substance. Technically, the film has its moments. Saeed Abbas’ background score is rousing and energetic, and the rap number “Loading Bazooka” by Sreenath Bhasi tries to inject life into the film. Nimish Ravi’s cinematography ensures that Mammootty dominates every frame, while editors Nishadh Yusuf and Praveen Prabhakar do their best with the material at hand. Ultimately, Bazooka had all the ingredients for a genre-defying thriller, but squanders the opportunity by prioritizing style over story. Mammootty tries to bring depth and charm to his role, but even his towering screen presence isn’t enough to salvage this misfire. Bazooka may attract fans of the star, but as a film, it fails to hit its mark.
