Introduction
I’m in the mood to unravel a movie which seems to have garnered a sufficient buzz in the recent past, Marko. Malayalam was the only version screened during the Nagpur show with an English language subtitle. I was surprised by the almost total silence from the audience and the audience’s lack of energy left me wondering what the core of the film was. A comprehensive review of the events that were presented on the screen is as detailed below.
A Simple Story with Unparalleled Brutality
Basically, Marko is a story of vengeance which is much clear and same as many other films. But the approach and the portrayal of vengeance in this particular film is quite different from the Indian Ideas of Revenge.Additionally, the violence exhibited is shocking to say the least, to the uninitiated, or viewers who are familiar with less violence.
First Half: A Slow Burn
Mark Cousins: The Story of Film – An Odyssey – the final section, transforms its discussion of narrativity from an idea to allowing the audience to witness the construction itself. That is to say, rather than provocatively arguing how narrativity may be defined through the circulation of ethno-stories, narrative layers, the spoken language and so on, the editing of the sequences and the sounds applied do serve the purpose of demonstrating the phenomenon through action instead.
One tribute to this McLuhanistic view of the film and media as translation that in turn establishes new possibilities seemed found in Cousins emotional look at behind-the-scenes footage and films shot with phones. In this respect the rawness of seeing Cousins late night personal quest for expression through images resonates with Garcia’s yearning language as the articulate French author mentions emotionally potent shoes.
Second Half: Unleashing Chaos
The second half features an entirely new set of violent traits. From the intermission cut, the film unfolds into a gore fest. Limbs get chopped off, there is an excess of blood and the ultraviolence turns that are not recommended to the weak folks. If you are the kind that enjoys gore fest action, this film gives you the best of that genre.
I must say the camera work indeed deserves a compliment. Even though such setups might have been accomplished through ‘smart cuts’ some particular scenes like the corridor fight and a one shot take on a flight of gallary are nicely shot. The high adrenaline of the visuals should keep engrossed most audience members with perhaps the exception of the squeamish.
Themes and Concerns
Due to the film splendid revenge and gory battles, emotionally rich plus deeper characters’ development remains dulled. The plot remains shallow – “You offended me, I will ‘offend’ you even worse” is the pretext of it. Plus, there is a moral issue concerning children being included in such glamourised violence. In some instances, blurring of sexual violence involving minors reaches excessive levels creating discomfort.
Lack of Emotional Connection
Relatable characters are one of the elements this movie severely lacks in. There isn’t a single enough character developed in the such a way that the viewer can share an emotional investment with them. Looking at the portrayal of the hero, he is very strong and determined but he lacks any level of emotional involvement which makes what he goes through lose its meaning.
A New Benchmark in Brutality
Marko gives a new baseline on showcasing brutality in Indian films though it has its loopholes. Maharaja and Animal look less aggressive in this context However, it does set the bar on what one can show on screen leading to controversy among viewers.
Conclusion: A Mixed Bag
Marko is not a film for everyone. Its intense action and unprecedented brutality may appeal to a niche audience but alienate those seeking a well-rounded narrative. For me, the film scores 3 out of 5 stars.
- Positives: Exceptional action choreography, intense visuals, and daring execution of revenge themes.
- Negatives: Weak story, lack of character depth, and excessive gore that may be off-putting for many.
Final Thoughts
In the show Marko I would start with a warning, it’s not suitable for kids or faint-hearted. But if you like action-violent films, then probably Marko may be worth a watch. In fact, brace yourself, it’s going to be a lot.