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| Unni Mukundan in and as ‘Marco’ | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT |
The newly released Malayalam film Marco, directed by Haneef Adeni, has been doing the rounds with its boast of being "the most violent film from Malayalam cinema." As per its marketing, the film does indeed deliver an overdose of blood-soaked action sequences and disturbing visuals that are not for the faint of heart. But beneath the hyper-masculine posturing and gory set pieces lies a lack of purpose and coherence, making Marco a polarizing experience for viewers.
An Unrelenting Bloodbath:
From its teasers to its posters, Marco was marketed as a dark and violent narrative. The film does not disappoint with scenes that go to the extreme limit of gore. Body parts are severed, hearts are ripped out, and even a baby is extracted from a mother's womb with bare hands. Such scenes, however, are only intended to shock and create an emotional impact, but they are lacking in the narrative depth that justifies their inclusion.
The violence feels excessive and, at times, gratuitous because the film does not provide any meaningful context for the brutality. Why are the antagonists so barbaric? Why does Marco resort to such extremes? These questions are left unanswered, making the audience bewildered rather than engaged.
A Cocktail of Familiar Narratives:
Marco, drawing much influence from hyper-masculine films like KGF, John Wick, and Animal, tries to blend that intense action style into a single package. Though it deserves praise for the attempt to create a dark, sinister world, it is lacking in originality in the screenplay. A revenge story unfolds around Marco (played by Unni Mukundan), an adopted son of the Adat family.
Despite the familiar revenge arc, the story lacks emotional weight. The characters are one-dimensional, with Marco portrayed as a brute force with little intellect. Even his romantic subplot feels forced, with his fiancée labeling him as toxic—a sentiment that Marco himself seems unapologetically proud of.
Style Over Substance:
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| Unni Mukundan in and as ‘Marco’ | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT |
Marco looks pretty fabulous. Cinematographer Chandru Selvakumar uses the shades of black and gold to give this movie a menacing air. Action choreography, particularly the Old Boy-inspired stairwell fight, is pretty slick with technical finesse and creative touches. Still, those only partially make up for dated storytelling techniques.
Director Haneef Adeni heavily banks on clichés such as over-the-top character introductions and villainous cruelty towards families to create tension. Although some of them work, others are played out to an absurd level and almost become comedic, thereby diminishing the desired effect.
Flawed Execution of Violence:
Violence in cinema is not inherently problematic, but its execution is critical. In Marco, the cruelty depicted has crossed the line from impactful to exploitative. The relentless torture of women and children towards the film's climax is especially difficult to watch, making it hard for the audience to stay emotionally invested in Marco's journey.
Had the violence been used more thoughtfully—to explain the inner turmoil of Marco or the moral ambiguity of his actions—it could have added more depth to the story. Instead, the film relies on shock value, alienating viewers who may be expecting something more substantial behind the brutality.
A Missed Opportunity:
Despite its flaws, Marco showcases glimpses of Haneef Adeni’s potential as a director. His ability to craft a visually compelling world and deliver high-octane action sequences is evident. Unni Mukundan, too, shines in his role, exuding charisma and physicality. However, these positives are overshadowed by the film’s lack of emotional depth and over-reliance on gore.
Final Verdict:
Marco is a bold but imperfect experiment in Malayalam cinema. It definitely does some great things regarding action choreography and style, but it doesn't manage to bring together a coherent or meaningful narrative. The movie may be appealing to hyper-violent action drama fans, but the gratuitous violence and lack of substance are bound to alienate the significant part of the audience.
For those looking for a good balance of action and storytelling, Marco is not the answer. But for those who can stomach its relentless brutality, it offers a visually striking-if emotionally hollow-experience.
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