 "Barroz 3D movie review: Mohanlal’s Christmas release is a visual spectacle but marred by lacklustre story")
Star cast: Mohanlal, Maya Rao West, Cesar Lorente Raton, Ignacio Mateos, Kallirroi Tziafeta, Nerea Camacho and Tuhin Menon
Director: Mohanlal
The legendary actor of Mollywood aka Malayalam cinema has donned a director’s hat for the first time with Barroz 3D, in which he plays the titular role. Shot in 3D, the film is expected to be a Christmas treat for cinegoers from Lalettan. While the promos and songs looked like a visual treat for kids and family members, did it live up to the audience’s expectations? Let’s find out…
Talking about the plot, Barroz 3D is set in 1663. Before the Portuguese Empire left Goa, the King of Da Gama (Ignacio Mateos) appoints Barroz (Mohanlal) as the royal guard to protect the hidden wealth of the kingdom. The loyal lieutenant, who has been at the palace for 400 years as a ghost to safeguard this treasure, in the year 2020, he finds out that Isabella (Maya Rao West), the 13th-generation heir of the prestigious ‘Da Gama’ family, has been born and has come to Goa. Barroz feels that Isabella can retrieve the treasure and he can be finally freed from his centuries-old duty. However, convincing Isabella turns out to be a complex affair. Does she agree to help Barroz? Well, to know the answers and backstories, you have to watch Barroz 3D on the big screen.
Mohanlal makes a superb directorial debut as he presents the visual spectacle in the most immersive way possible. The 3D effects look awesome. However, this visual brilliance motion is marred by the snail-paced screenplay and lacklustre story, which turn out to be the biggest drawbacks of Barroz 3D.
Talking about the performances, Mohanlal is Barroz is sincere and his moments with Maya Rao West pan out well. Nerea Camacho, Tuhin Menon, Daniel Caltagirone, June Vig, and Saju Navodaya played their characters to the T.
Talking about the technical aspects, Santosh Sivan’s camera work is top-notch as he plays a crucial role in making Barroz a visual spectacle. On the other hand, B Ajith Kumar’s editing is weak as many uninteresting scenes have impacted the entertainment quotient.
On the whole, Barroz 3D is a decent entertainer but could have been much more if makers had worked on the story, screenplay and editing.
Rating: 2.5 (out of 5 stars)
Barroz is playing in cinemas
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