Martin Movie Review: Dhruva Sarja's film emphasizes visual spectacle at the expense of deeper narrative elements.
Critic's Rating: 2.5/5
Martin stands out as one of the most significant Kannada film releases of the year. After a production period spanning three years, the film experienced delays in its debut across various theaters, including both single-screen venues and multiplexes. On Friday morning, social media buzzed with speculation regarding yet another postponement of the film's release. However, Martin has finally made its grand entrance this festive season, showcasing an impressive display of action. Does the film live up to the anticipation built over three years? The answer is both affirmative and negative.
The film opens with a distinctively choreographed action sequence set in Pakistan, culminating in a dramatic moment where a man clad in a 'bad boy' jacket plummets from a building. The identity of this character remains concealed for the time being. The narrative then transitions to a hospital, where we meet an Indian man described as possessing the strength of ten elephants. He wreaks havoc around him, and after considerable effort, the medical staff discovers that he is afflicted with anterograde amnesia. This revelation sets him on a quest to uncover his identity. Within the first half-hour, he repeatedly poses the question, "Who am I?" in various languages, which soon becomes tedious and monotonous, leading the audience to ponder whether he will inquire "Who is he?" in all 13 languages in which the film is being released. Fortunately, he refrains from doing so and limits himself to five languages. Subsequently, he finds himself imprisoned in Pakistan but manages to escape, following a lead that ultimately reveals he is 'Arjun,' who has come to Pakistan in search of 'Martin.' This revelation raises yet another question: "Who is Martin?"
Martin relies heavily on Dhruva’s robust persona and his distinctive style of dialogue delivery, which is tailored for the audience. Dhruva Sarja, portraying a dual role, endeavors to infuse two contrasting dimensions into his character: the commendable navy officer Arjun and the rebellious gangster Martin. Arjun emerges as the more appealing character, as Martin's growling and snarling antics become increasingly overwhelming as the film progresses. While there is a romantic subplot, it fails to significantly enhance the narrative. The first half centers on Arjun's quest to locate Martin, culminating in their confrontation during the latter part of the film. The filmmakers have exercised excessive commercial liberties, including the implausible depiction of Pakistani officials conversing in Kannada. The climactic showdown featuring an army tanker is marred by noticeable visual effects flaws. Written by Arjun Sarja, the film is imbued with a sense of patriotism that permeates the climax. With two portrayals of Dhruva dominating the screen, supporting actors Vaibhavi Shandilya, Anveshi Jain, Chikkanna, and Nikitin Dheer are relegated to mere background roles.
The screenplay of Martin is notably engaging at the outset, capturing the audience's attention with its initial moments. However, it soon adheres to a conventional action film structure, leading to a disjointed narrative that confuses viewers. The relentless action sequences overshadow individual scenes, making it difficult for any moment to resonate as the film continuously shifts towards the next set piece. Satya Hegde’s exceptional cinematography stands out as another highlight of Martin, although the excessive use of graphics detracts from the overall experience. AP Arjun has once again contributed to the action genre with this film, which ultimately prioritizes spectacle over substance. Ravi Basrur’s background score echoes the music of KGF, particularly in the film's latter stages. The title track and "Jeeva Neene" provide a brief respite from the film's high-octane energy, while the item number featuring Giorgia Andrani is clearly designed to appeal to the audience's sensibilities.
While the film undoubtedly delivers a cinematic experience, one must question whether that is sufficient. You may consider visiting your local theaters to find out.
🎬 Movie: Martin
📅 Year: 2024
🔊 League: Tamil
🔅 IMDB: 8.5
Best Shopping Apps
Ideal for: A vast array of affordable products readily available.
Details: Temu appears to have emerged unexpectedly as a leading contender in the shopping category on the App Store. Similar to Amazon, it functions as an online marketplace featuring an extensive range of products from millions of vendors. A brief exploration of the app or website reveals an impressive assortment of items priced under $10, many from brands that may be unfamiliar to consumers. At the time of this writing, one notable "lightning deal" on Temu showcased a pair of men's casual cargo pants for only $9.77. However, the durability of such inexpensive apparel is uncertain, and one should anticipate frequent price changes, particularly after a lightning deal concludes.
Temu provides free shipping on the majority of items (though a minimum order requirement may apply), and its website indicates that shipping times can vary from six to 20 days, likely due to many products being shipped directly from overseas factories or warehouses.
Considerations: While low-cost items may be appealing, they often raise concerns regarding quality, potentially resulting in higher expenses over time. Reports of delayed shipments have been widely reported in the media and on the Better Business Bureau's website. Nevertheless, Temu stands as a legitimate shopping platform that has garnered significant popularity.
Written by: JD