‘Mark’ movie review: Sudeep’s thriller just about passes the test

Max, Vijay Kartikeyaa’s first collaboration with Sudeep , won big on novelty factor. A one-night story unfolding in minimal locations felt different for a star film. It felt encouraging to see Sudeep experimenting with scripts. The film balanced its unorthodox storytelling with whistle-worthy moments for fans. So, with Mark, the actor-director duo was expected to go a notch higher. Though it’s far from a forgettable movie, Mark falls short of Max. Though unfair, the comparison is inevitable. Both films star a hot-headed cop. Apart from a similar-sounding title, both movies have plots that unfold within 24 hours. Additionally, with Mark, Vijay Kartikeyaa shows that his team can pull off an action-thriller, shot in various locations, within 4-5 months. However, the movie fails to provide an engaging experience. The film also boasts of multiple subplots and characters, but they are present just to distract us from the thin story. Mark (Kannada) Director: Vijay Kartikeyaa Cast: Sudeep, Naveen Chandra, Yogi Babu, Shine Tom Chacko, Roshni Prakash, Gopalkrishna Deshpande Runtime: 144 minutes Storyline: Ajay Markandaya, a suspended police officer, rises against anti-social elements, gangsters, and corrupt politicians. When a critical situation unfolds, he must confront these forces to restore justice. Ajay Markandayya, the suspended, temperamental cop, swings into action when he learns of children getting kidnapped in the city. Also in the mix are a corrupt politician eyeing the CM’s position, a gangster family, and a drug dealer. On paper, the world of Mark appears pulpy enough for an action-thriller. However, the movie follows the template of a one-man show, with Sudeep’s character conveniently appearing at every turn to beat the baddies. The twists are never shocking, people die and backstab without much impact on the audience, and a host of characters aren’t intertwined to form an interesting drama. Surprisingly, Sudeep stars in a subdued character, lacking in energy and mass appeal. Apart from a couple of punchy dialogues and a brilliantly choreographed climax action sequence, Ajay Markandayya doesn’t produce the frenzy required from a ‘masala’ hero character. It’s the technicians who keep Mark afloat. Apart from two peppy dance numbers, Ajaneesh Loknath wins big with his gripping background score. Shekar Chandra’s cinematography complements the film’s racy nature, while Shivakumar’s art direction is a big strength of the film. A major grouse is the film’s casting, with actors from the Tamil film industry appearing in important roles. Though gifted actors, their inability to speak Kannada has evidently affected their performances. ALSO READ: ‘The Devil’: Director Prakash Veer on the challenges of making Darshan’s action-thriller Naveen Chandra gets a one-note character who is always screaming at the top of his voice, while Yogi Babu’s dry wit is half-effective thanks to the dubbed voice. Vikranth gets a key role, but it’s fleshed out in a dull manner. Shine Tom Chacko appears out of place as a corrupt politician. Guru Somasundaram, in a quirky character, is a delight to watch, though. Mark also manipulates emotions using children, a dated trope that commercial cinema should let go....

Preview: ~500 words