Why Mammootty’s gaming thriller ‘Bazooka’ misses the mark?

Despite the promise of a high-octane “gaming thriller,” Bazooka, directed by debutant Deeno Dennis, fails to deliver the excitement it promises. Headlined by Malayalam cinema icon Mammootty, the film leans heavily on style and star power, but struggles to find substance in its screenplay or storytelling.

The plot centers around John Caesar (Mammootty), a forensic expert who boards a bus with the intention of helping the police unravel the mystery behind a series of puzzling heists. A criminal mastermind is leaving clues behind, but the trail is less intriguing and more tedious, bogged down by sluggish writing and overly dramatic exchanges—especially between Caesar and his chatty, game-obsessed fellow passenger (Hakkim Shah). The “gaming” theme feels more like a visual gimmick than a core plot device, highlighted by random characters playing games loudly on the bus rather than any real narrative innovation.

The film begins with flair—Caesar reading a self-help book at a bus stop, the background score thundering with every movement he makes. But soon, the overuse of music becomes exhausting. Even ACP Benjamin Joshua (Gautham Vasudev Menon), introduced in what should be a routine vehicle inspection, is given the same dramatic treatment. Rather than enhancing the storytelling, these moments come across as superficial fan service.

Supporting characters, including a biker gang inserted for flashy action sequences, serve little purpose beyond showcasing Mammootty’s star persona. The police investigation, which should have been the backbone of the thriller, turns unintentionally comic—especially when lines like “Let’s not glorify him” are used to describe a possible psychopath. It’s moments like these that expose the film’s clumsy writing and lack of narrative coherence.

The climax attempts to offer a late twist, but by then, the audience’s patience is already stretched thin. What could have been a clever reveal ends up feeling like a dessert served far too late—prettily plated, but bland at its core.

At 154 minutes, Bazooka feels more like an indulgent tribute to its star than a tight, engaging thriller. In the end, it’s a misfire, offering more noise than nuance, and more confusion than clarity—leaving fans wishing for a better game plan.