Masterpiece

Masterpiece directed by Ajai Vasudev (after Rajadhiraja), is a mass action entertainer which actually works even though it has its share of flaws. The film has its star cast consisting of Mammootty, Uni mukundan, Varalaxmi, Mukesh, Shajohn, Goulding Suresh, Maqbool Salman and so on.. The story of the film is set in a campus where we have 2 rival groups (as seen in most movies) and some incidents that take place. In between a new professor joins and tries to make peace with the groups. Even though we have seen a similar movie (Velipadinte Pusthakam) with the same theme this year, Masterpiece, I shall say is far better because the screenplay is racy and never bores you. After writting a blockbuster hit last year, Udayakrishna returns yet again and the dialogues are the one that suit a mass movie. But this film is not with its share of flaws because the film could have been done with a little more shorter lenght as some scenes were not up to mark. Also even though the songs sounded good to the ears, the placement of 3 songs in the second half seemed not to well. Despite its flaws the movie keeps us engaged as it is also treated as anew investigation thriller coupled with some well performed action and some humour. Mammootty shine as Edward Livingston. This role seemed tailor made for him. Uni Mukundan too shined in his role especially in action sequences. Rest of the cast did a good job but the character of Captain Raju seemed totally out of sync with the movie. So all in all this might not be a must watch but surely it gives a bang for your buck. My rating: 3/5

I don't understand why this director is always make this kinda action scenes .. it's very awful .. come on .. the time is over .. make some realistic actions .. let this Malayalam industry grow in standard!!

"Masterpiece," starring Mammootty, is an action thriller that, despite its grand title, falls short of delivering a compelling cinematic experience. Directed by Ajai Vasudev, the film revolves around Edward Livingston (Mammootty), a college professor with a tough, no-nonsense attitude, who is drawn into a murder investigation that takes place within the campus. Unfortunately, the film doesn't live up to its potential, earning it a low 3/10 rating.

One of the biggest drawbacks of "Masterpiece" is its predictable storyline. The plot follows the usual template of a campus action drama, where a heroic figure steps in to bring justice and order. The murder mystery at the center of the film lacks depth and intrigue, with most of the twists feeling forced and unconvincing. There's little in terms of innovation or fresh ideas, and the audience can often see what's coming from a mile away.

Mammootty's screen presence is, as always, commendable, and he delivers his role with the expected intensity. However, even his strong performance cannot save the film from its weak script. Edward Livingston is a one-dimensional character, defined by his swagger and strength, but lacking any real emotional depth. The film tries to project him as an invincible hero, but this over-the-top portrayal becomes monotonous after a point, leaving little room for character development or nuance.

The supporting cast, which includes actors like Varalaxmi Sarathkumar, Unni Mukundan, and Poonam Bajwa, is underutilized. Many of their roles feel like mere fillers, with little contribution to the main plot. The characters often appear in the background, without much significance, which makes it hard for the audience to connect with or care about them.

Another issue with "Masterpiece" is its excessive reliance on action sequences. While action can certainly elevate a film, here it feels overdone and unnecessary. The fight scenes, though choreographed decently, are repetitive and take up too much screen time, detracting from the storyline. Instead of adding excitement, the overemphasis on action makes the film feel longer and more tedious than it actually is.

The film's pacing is also problematic. The narrative drags in several places, particularly during the second half, where the story loses momentum. Scenes that could have been trimmed or left out entirely are stretched out, making the film feel bloated. Combined with the lack of a gripping plot, this leads to a viewing experience that can feel more exhausting than entertaining.

The technical aspects of the film, such as cinematography and music, are average. While the college campus setting is visually appealing, the film doesn't make full use of it to create any real atmosphere or tension. The background score is loud and overpowering in some scenes, which further reduces the impact of key moments.

In conclusion, "Masterpiece" is a film that promises much but delivers little. It attempts to be a larger-than-life action thriller, but the weak script, lack of character depth, and excessive reliance on action sequences ultimately let it down. Even Mammootty's star power can't redeem the film, which fails to engage the audience on an emotional or intellectual level. While there are a few entertaining moments, they are too few and far between to make a lasting impression, leading to a disappointing overall experience.

Pure waste of time. Pointless other than for one finally suspense. There were a few reasons that persuaded me to watch the movie. One director Ajai Vasudev his last movie Rajadhiraja with Mammootty that came out last year was a perfect entertainer with decent story line, so when the duo came together again I expected lot of entertainment but did I get it, NO. Second Gokul Suresh, Sureshettan's son I wanted see his acting and I knew he was in the movie, to be honest he in not bad but I wasn't impressed and I am a huge fan of Suresh Gopi. 3rd the action scenes I saw the trailer, after watching the movie that is one of the reasons I would tell people not to watch the movie. The action are ten minutes long and take forever to finish, because it is completely in slow motion. It was fun to see Ikka on screen again and I loved his style and look but after a while even he couldn't make me entertained. This could have been amazing if the some of the scenes were removed and trimmed down making it more racy thriller. But in the condition that it is in right now I would recommend watching Aadu 2

Masterpiece was and is one of the most waited films of this year. Its lead cast comprising of Mammootty, Unni Mukundan, Varalaxmi Sarathkumar and Poonam Bajwa, a newcomer. The film also houses many young stars who are stuggling to find a place in Malayalam cinema, so kudos to the casting director for such a impressive array of young talents.

The film was touted as a mass, action thriller early on itself. After Rajadhiraja, a miserable failure from Ajai Vasudev, comes Masterpiece. It puts itself against a background of a college, where students are split into several factions. A subsequent crime and its events follow up the film's plot. The acting was commendable by the lead cast, although the quirky handling of the camera made it look kind of ugly. The direction is in all praise for a mass film, which Ajai handled perfectly.

If not titled and promoted as a mass entertainer, Masterpiece would have been a stunning failure. Aside from Mammootty's impressive performance, coupled with some really good fight scenes, Masterpiece falls flat at every department. Unni Mukundan, was not a surprise casting since he is known for his excellence in action roles and scenes.

The entire film hangs on the climax, which may come surprising for many.

Rating - 3.75 / 10.0