“It’s not everyone’s cup of tea,” a phrase we’ve heard a million times in reviews, might just be the perfect way to start talking about Marco. It feels as overused as the formula that drives this movie. Yet, there’s something about this film that warrants a closer look. Directed and written by Haneef Adeni, Marco tries to make its mark, and while it doesn’t completely succeed, it’s not a total miss either.
The plot follows Marco, played by Unni Mukundan, on a path of vengeance after the murder of his brother, Victor. The story takes us through a series of extremely violent and overly stylized confrontations, all driven by Marco’s thirst for payback and to subsequently protect his family. It’s a classic revenge drama at its core, but what makes it stand out is its attempt to push the boundaries of on-screen violence. That said, the story itself lacks depth, with its formulaic and often predictable narrative occasionally offset by some experimental elements.
Though Marco has been referred to as a spin-off of Mikhael, written and directed by Adeni, it charts its own path, creating a new world and dynamics, independent of Mikhael’s storyline.
Now, let’s talk about the execution. The film leans so heavily on its style and action sequences that it overshadows its narrative substance, relying on a predictable structure that feels overused. The violence in Marco is extreme—bordering on excessive—and arguably its only novel aspect. The film’s heavy reliance on graphic violence becomes its Achilles’ heel, with some sequences, particularly a 20-30 minute stretch, so intense that they might compel viewers to look away. The 'A' certification is well-deserved, and if you are squeamish, you might want to reconsider watching it.
Jagadish, billed as the most violent villain, is sadly wasted. While his performance is commendable, the poorly written character doesn’t allow him to shine fully. Similarly, the dialogues feel poorly written and often annoying, making some scenes feel cringeworthy and stretched unnecessarily. The constant depiction of smoking, though not inherently problematic considering the certification of the movie, starts to feel more like a visual gimmick or a drawn-out cigarette advertisement rather than something that adds to the story. Along with repetitive slow-motion scenes and cliched dialogues, it detracts from the overall narrative.
On the technical front, the film does shine. Ravi Basrur’s music and background score are fantastic, elevating even the weaker moments. The action choreography by Kalai Kingson is flawless and stands out as one of the movie’s saving graces. Chandru Selvaraj’s cinematography also deserves applause, contributing significantly to the film’s overall appeal. The editing by Shameer Muhammed is sharp, with its seamless cuts, ensuring the film moves at the needed pace despite its flaws.
Unni Mukundan gives it his all, delivering a performance that shows his range and potential as an actor. Another noteworthy performance comes from Siddique as George and Kabir Duhan Singh as the final villain, who leaves a lasting impression.
The romance subplot barely makes a mark and feels like an afterthought with dialogues reminiscent of Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s style, especially about toxicity. Despite these shortcomings, the movie’s production quality is top-notch, a testament to the growing capability of Malayalam cinema to produce high-quality action films.
But, it may also get to the point where you start questioning the purpose of the movie—was it to create another Animal, or KGF, or The Godfather, or an amalgamation of all these rather than a unique entity? We never know.
In conclusion, Marco caters to fans of stylized action and intense violence. If you’re in the mood for something action-packed and don’t mind a formulaic story, this might be worth a shot. But in the end, there’s no denying that Marco is trying to do something very different within a familiar framework.
Film: Marco
Director: Haneef Adeni
Cast: Unni Mukundan, Yukti Thareja, Kabir Duhan Singh, Anson Paul, Jagadish, Siddique
Rating: 3/5