Turbo (2024) - "One man's journey from chaos to chaos"

 

Directed by: Vysakh
Produced by: Mammootty
Starring: Mammootty, Anjana Jayaprakash, Raj B. Shetty, Shabareesh Varma, Sunil, Kabir Duhan Singh
Cinematography: Vishnu Sarma
Edited by: Shameer Muhammed
Music by: Christo Xavier
Production Company: Mammootty Kampany
Distributed by: Wayfarer Films (India), Truth Global Films (Overseas)
Release Date: 23 May 2024
Running Time: 155 minutes
Language: Malayalam

Plot:

"Turbo" follows the life of Jose, also known as Turbo Jose, a notorious figure from Idukki known for his involvement in violent altercations, especially during the church's annual festivities. After a dramatic incident while trying to help his friend Jerry marry a Hindu girl named Indulekha, Jose is forced to flee Idukki to avoid arrest. He relocates to Chennai, where Indulekha works, and the film chronicles the turbulent events that unfold in his life thereafter.

Performances:

• Mammootty: As expected, Mammootty delivers a stellar performance, particularly shining in the action sequences. His portrayal of Jose is powerful and intense.
• Raj B. Shetty: Despite his talent, Raj B. Shetty feels underutilized in this film.
• Supporting Cast: The rest of the cast performs adequately, fulfilling their roles without standing out.

Technicians:

• Direction: Vysakh delivers a well-executed film, but the narrative lacks depth, particularly outside the action sequences.
• Cinematography: Vishnu Sarma's cinematography is impressive, capturing the intensity of the film's action scenes.
• Music: Christo Xavier's background score is satisfactory, though not particularly memorable.
• Editing: Shameer Muhammed's editing is clean, keeping the film's pace consistent.
• Production Values: The production values are top-notch, reflecting the film's high budget and Mammootty's influence.

Strengths:

• Mammootty: His performance is the highlight of the film, especially in the well-choreographed action sequences.
• Action: The action scenes are well-executed, adding excitement to the film.

Weaknesses:

• Story and Narration: The story lacks depth, and the narration fails to fully engage the audience outside of the action scenes.
• Underutilized Talent: Raj B. Shetty's potential is not fully explored in this film.

My Personal Take:

"Turbo" is a decent action film that offers an entertaining watch, particularly for fans of Mammootty and high-octane sequences. However, the story and narration leave much to be desired, making it an okayish film with more focus on action than substance. The cliffhanger ending sets up potential for a sequel, which hopefully will build on the foundations laid here.

Rating: 2.25/5