Bazooka, the new Malayalam action thriller that opened on April 10, 2025, is a movie that promises a blend of high-tech suspense and action, featuring the legendary Mammootty in the lead role. Directed by newcomer Deeno Dennis, the film tries to provide a new "game thriller" experience in the backdrop of Kochi. We have here a master thief who uses video games as the means to achieve his ends. It was a surreal experience in the cinemas as I was seeing a Malayalam film for the very first time on the big screen.
The Narrative:
The plot begins in a very normal way, introducing Mammootty’s character John Caesar, in a straightforward fashion. The action unfolds rapidly into an exciting chase when ACP Benjamin Joshua, played by Gautham Vasudev Menon, seeks Caesar’s assistance to catch a cunning criminal who uses children’s video games such as Super Mario and Temple Run to carry out his actions. It is Caesar’s and Benjamin’s duty to solve the clues and patterns within those video games and arrest the perpetrator before time runs out. This multi-layered game of intelligence and action sustains tension until the very end.
My Insights:
Watching the movie on the big screen, I was swept away by the suspenseful atmosphere, especially during the exciting action scenes showcasing Mammootty’s charm. The first half of the movie was good, with a strong interval block that had the crowds waiting to see the second half. Even the music was amazing and kept everyone hooked. The antagonist is really smart and I loved how the director and writers put efforts to make video game clues more interesting. I watched the original Malayalam audio to get a raw experience. However, the middle portion of the film felt a bit slow and lacked the momentum expected from a thriller of this nature. Despite this, the climax was satisfying and gave a closure.
Winning Elements:
One of the strength factors of Bazooka is certainly Mammootty’s acting. His effortless charisma and commanding on-screen presence make the movie, even when the script gets weak. The rapport between Mammootty and Gautham Vasudev Menon gives strength to the cop-businessman duo, so that their alliance seems believable and interesting. The technical work behind the film, such as Nimish Ravi’s cinematography and the neat editing by Nishadh Yusuf and Praveen Prabhakar, adds up to a polished visual experience. The background music by Saeed Abbas was my favorite and I will watch again just because of that.
Final Thoughts:
Experiencing Bazooka in the theatre was a mixed bag. The film is not without its flaws. The screenplay sometimes struggles to maintain a consistent pace. The female characters are not developed. Additionally, the film’s attempt to blend multiple genres—action, drama, romance, and humor—results in a somewhat uneven tone. However, Mammootty’s star power kept the energy alive, and the theatre erupted in applause during the peak moments. It is a fresh and thrilling concept and definitely worth watching on the big screens!