In Sagar Alias Jacky Reloaded, one of malayalam film’s all time favourite action character of Sagar from Irupatham Nootandu is reconstructed. The movie stars Mohanlal, Manoj K Jayan, Bhavana, Shobhana, Jagathy Sreekumar and others. The movie is penned by SN Swami and produced by Antony Perumbavoor. Amal Neerad of ‘Big B’ fame handles the camera and direction.
Synopsis
Sagar (Mohanlal) plays an international don who in a quest to save his friend Manu (Manoj K Jayan) ends up rubbing shoulders with Naina (Suman) and the Rozario brothers. After Sagar rescues Manu, Manu is murdered. At the request of Manu’s wife Indu (Shobana), Sagar searches for Manu’s killer.
Analysis
‘Never judge a book just by looking at its cover’. This saying is perfectly applicable to this movie. SAJR is a stylishly shot movie which stretches a little over two and a quarter hours aimlessly. The entire movie is constructed over one weak premise which actually begins and ends in the second half. The movie moves from one incident to another which have very little relation to each other.
The first half is simply wasted in introducing and setting up the characters. Mohanlal’s introduction scene is very well shot. But then onwards first half hurts badly due to slow pace. The movie wanders too far off track and by the time the movie is back on track, the audience have no patience left. The second half falls badly with an absurd climax which makes you feel silly.
Performance Of The Cast
Mohanlal plays the lead role well as one expects from him. He talks, walks and fights in style. But the dialogues written in this movie for him are childish. It is embarrassing to see an actor of the caliber of Mohanlal speak these words.
Bhavana has very little to do in this movie. She looks ok in the role of a TV reporter but her character has little significance in this role. Manoj K Jayan and Shobhana take their roles too seriously. Jagathy Sreekumar fails to impress. It is very rare that a director fails to use Jagathy properly. His character has no importance at all. Sampath who plays one of the Rozario brothers is someone to be noted. He plays the part with intensity.
Technical Analysis
Direction by Amal Neerad is wayward. The director is clearly confused in what he wants to show on screen. But his work as a cinematographer is what makes this movie one of a kind. All scenes are stunningly shot and the movie has a visual Hollywood feel to it. Maybe the additional role of cinematography distracted the director from his target. It is sad to see that a director who gave a powerful movie like Big B with intelligent dialogues delivers this movie.
I find it hard to believe that SN Swami scripted this movie. The dialogues are childish, screenplay is slow and the story (if ever there was one) is weak. Music by Gopisundar suits the mood of the movie. Background score is irritating mostly. Costumes are excellent, especially Mohanlal’s costumes. Action scenes are well coordinated. The movie has been made on a grand scale with very good production values but unfortunately, the movie fails in most departments.
Verdict
The movie is nothing more than a bunch of stunning visuals coupled with action. Mohanlal and the stunning shots (subjected to digital colour correction) are the only saving graces of the movie. The movie will find it hard to recover the investment.
Sagar Alias Jacky Reloaded is Mohanlal’s Vishu release which is scripted by S N Swamy and directed by Big B fame Amal Neerad. This big budgeted movie is produced by Antony Perumbavoor under the banner of Aashirwad Cinemas. The movie brings back one of malayalam movie industry’s legendry action charecter of Sagar alias Jacky from Irupatham Nootandu
Big B, is what I would like to call, a one of a kind film. The movie was co-written and directed by Amal Neerad (RGV’s cinematographer). Though the movie was only a moderate success, it was highly acclaimed for the technical values, intense and well choreographed stunts and the performance of the cast. The movie was an adaptation of the English movie Four Brothers.
Synopsis
The story is set in Kochi where a social activist Mary John Kurishinkal (Nafisa Ali) is found murdered. Arrive on the scene her four foster sons Bilal (Mammootty), Eddy (Manoj K Jayan), Murugan (Bala) and Bijo (Sumit Naval). How Bilal and co find out who is behind Mary teacher’s (as she is fondly called) murder and how they seek revenge forms the crux of the story.
Performance Of The Cast
Big B is one of the best examples for a movie with a wonderful performances from the lead cast. Mammootty’s performance can be rated as one of his career best. Manoj K Jayan as Eddy brings to life the charcter of a reformed ruffian. Bala does his part convincingly as the right hand of Bilal. Sumit Naval has a very short role but he wins your heart.
Script Analysis
No time is wasted in setting up the characters and directly plunges into the plot. Each character is introduced as the movie progresses. Each and every character is charted out beautifully. The important character of Bilal and Bilal’s dialogues are scripted exceptionally.
Never does the hard hearted Bilal cry or laugh. Never does he speak in a raised voice controlled by emotions. He is always seen with an intense expression. His overprotective nature over Bijo and Eddy’s family, his remarks when Bijo asks for a gun and the smooth bad mouthing style he uses are some of the traits of this well written character. The other characters revolve around Bilal.
The dialogues are very good with humour, sarcasm and emotions in the right mix along with some punches. Screenplay moves in a logical manner. But it suffers big time with slowness.
Technical Analysis
From the first frame, you know this is going to be a very different movie. It has stylish and well organised fight sequences with eye catching camera work to boost its splendour. Full marks to Samir Tahir for his marvellous cinematography. Stunts are revolutionary making this one of the best action films in Mollywood. Almost the entire crew comprised of debutantes.
Direction by Amal Neerad is very good. He is at ease and never does he make you feel bored or unengaged though the movie moves at snail pace. All characters are very well handled. Considering the script, this is an exceptional performance by the debutante director.
Summary
Big B is a visual cinema. The movie has lesser dialogues than a normal film does but its powerful scenes speak more than the characters do. The visual splendour of the stunts are the movies strength. But Big B suffers from its length. The movie drags on and on but if you are interested in fight sequences, the movie is sufficiently engaging.
Verdict
Big B is a movie which doesn’t come your way everyday. A movie with such technical precision and brilliant performances is a rarity now-a-days. If you want a change from the normal movies you get to watch, the Big B is the movie for you. It is a movie which will have its impact on you even after you have finished watching the movie.
Loading ...