Bazooka Movie Review: A Stylish Game That Fails to Hit the Target.Moviesgod

1. A Fresh Idea That Needed Sharper Execution

At first glance, Bazooka sounds like a bold new entry into the Malayalam thriller space. It has an interesting core idea, attempts to mix crime with gaming metaphors, and boasts Mammootty in the lead. That combination alone should spark curiosity. And to be fair, you do get glimpses of a unique vision—just not enough to sustain a full-length feature film.

Directed by debutant Deeno Dennis, Bazooka is clearly a passion project. It’s an attempt to break away from the traditional mould and introduce a gamified narrative to a crime thriller. But what begins as a clever idea quickly gets buried under uneven storytelling, sluggish pacing, and too much emphasis on style over substance. You can sense the filmmaker’s ambition, but you can also see the inexperience in pulling it all together.

2. Mammootty Is Cool, But Is That Enough?

Let’s talk about Mammootty. He is undoubtedly one of the most charismatic actors in Indian cinema, and he’s always game to explore new kinds of roles. That’s probably what drew him to Bazooka. He plays a mysterious man caught in a web of game-like crimes—but for most of the film, it feels like he’s just coasting along. His signature style, cool demeanor, and slow-motion entries are all present, but they’re not backed by a solid emotional arc or character development.

Worse, the film often seems too obsessed with showing off Mammootty rather than letting him act. There are endless scenes of him walking in slow motion, wearing stylish coats, or driving vintage vehicles, as if style itself is meant to be a substitute for storytelling. Only in the final act does his character finally come alive, but by then, the film has already lost much of its impact.

3. Game Elements That Don’t Go Beyond the Basics

Bazooka is packed with gaming references. There’s even a scene early on where Mammootty’s character is reading a book titled Game of Life, just to make the metaphor crystal clear. The movie tries to build its plot like a puzzle-based video game—complete with clues, stages, and unexpected twists. You hear mentions of Super Mario, Temple Run, and Snake and Ladders. But that’s all it is—surface-level name-dropping. There’s no deeper connection or smart integration into the actual story.

In fact, the entire investigation led by ACP Benjamin Joshua (played stiffly by Gautham Vasudev Menon) feels disappointingly weak. He’s introduced as one of India’s best cops, but his actions rarely match that reputation. The team takes forever to connect obvious dots, and most of their screen time is spent reciting exposition instead of uncovering anything organically. The result? A plot that feels both flat and frustrating.

4. A Stylish Film That Forgets Substance

Technically, Bazooka has some strong moments. One standout sequence is a robbery attempt during a temple festival. The way it’s shot—full of color, energy, and sharp visual flair—feels like it belongs in a different, more confident film. If the rest of the movie had matched that quality, this review would’ve sounded very different.

But unfortunately, that one standout moment is followed by a string of disappointing ones. A later heist scene set in a stadium is filmed so clumsily that it feels like a completely different film—one made without the same care or vision. Saeed Abbas’ techno-heavy music score is energetic at first but quickly turns grating and repetitive. You don’t feel tension or emotion; you just feel noise.

Even the editing and cinematography, while competent in certain stretches, struggle to maintain consistency. The narrative jumps between ideas and tones, and there’s no smooth transition between its thriller and stylized gaming-inspired moments.

5. A Lost Game with a Last-Minute Boost

One of the biggest issues with Bazooka is that it takes far too long to become interesting. By the time the final act kicks in and Mammootty’s character finally shows some spark, most of the audience has already checked out. The climax does try to bring everything together with a clever twist and a bit of emotional weight, but it’s too little, too late.

Hakim Shahjahan as Sunny, a software architect-turned-gamer who becomes crucial to the story, shows potential but suffers from poor writing. His shift from comic relief to major plot player feels rushed and unearned. Other supporting characters, too, seem more like pieces on a board than real people with motivations.

In the end, Bazooka is a movie full of ambition but lacking in coherence. It has all the ingredients for a compelling film—an exciting concept, a legendary lead actor, and moments of visual brilliance. But without consistent writing, deeper character work, or emotional stakes, it never quite levels up.

Final Thoughts

Bazooka might appeal to Mammootty fans who enjoy watching him in stylish avatars, but those looking for a gripping, innovative thriller will likely walk away disappointed. There are flashes of brilliance, but the overall experience is bogged down by poor pacing, inconsistent tone, and shallow storytelling.

If this were a game, Bazooka would be the kind that starts with a great tutorial but loses your interest before you reach the boss fight. Sometimes, having a cheat code isn’t enough—you still need a game worth playing.