Mask Review

Behind the Movie Mask: Young hero Jiiva, who got recognition in Telugu with a hit ‘Rangam’ has come today with ‘Mask,’ the Telugu dubbed version of ‘Mugamoodi.’ With Pooja Hegde as heroine, Mysskin directed the flick. Let us see, what is this ‘Mask’ all about?

In the Movie Mask: Anand called as Bruce Lee by his friends belongs to a middle class family in Vizag. He is excited towards Kung Fu and is trained under Master Chandru (Selva). Taking inspiration from Bruce Lee, Anand wanted to prove him-self as different in life rather than doing those 9 to 6 kind of jobs. He falls in love with Shanti (Pooja Hegde) in first look and follows her. On the other side, a criminal black masked Kung Fu expert gang is on a robbery spree. Police Officer Gaurav (Naazar) is tortured by this gang who doesn’t leave any clues for investigation. Shanti is none other than Gaurav’s daughter.

With the idea of grand father (Girish Karnad), Anand dressed as Superman goes to Shanti’s house to impress her. Accidentally, Anand comes across the gang of masked robbers and helps police in catching one of them. As Police aren’t able to see the face of Anand, he is named as Mask Man. Things go wrong, when Anand goes the next night to reveal his actual identity before Shanti. Unfortunately, the gang of masked men attack Gaurav and Anand is made the scapegoat even with the murder of his close friend. 

From here on, Anand who escapes from the spot has got the task to prove his innocence and find those masked criminals. How is Master Chandru linked to Head of this mask gang, Adi Keshav (Narain)? How did Master Chandru help Anand in learning the minute techniques of Kung Fu to kill Adi Keshav? When did Shanti realize that Mask Man is none other than Anand formed the rest…    

Values & Out of the Movie Mask: Inspired by the Batman, Superman and Spiderman kind of concepts, this Mask Man is penned by Mysskin. Unfrtunately, he failed in execution part. Other than superb cinematography and well choreographed Kung Fu action scenes, common audience can’t connect to anything else. There is neither emotion nor entertainment. Narration graph of Mysskin is a pretty straight line with no ups and downs. Camerawork by Sathay is spell-bounding. Major portion of the movie is shot in dark and the camera angles used are highly innovative. Editing by Gaugin was completely sluggish which killed the pace of movie. K’s background score is directly copied from many Hollywood flicks. Perhaps, it is quite contrariety with our regular backgrounds. Kung Fu scenes done by Chinese stunt masters are refreshing. Production values of Mega Super Good Movies are praiseworthy. 

Performance wise Jiiva for most of the time will be seen underplaying his character. He was at tremendous ease doing Kung Fu. Pooja Hegde is not a stunning beauty. Naazar got a settled and decent character. Narain is impressive and can be a good villain. Selva seems to be a professional Kung Fu fighter. Girish Karnad has nothing extra ordinary to do. Remaining others, it is hard to identify for Telugu audience.

‘Mask’ lacks in pace and nativity. Although there are very few dialogues, none really effective. Mysskin has relied only on technical brilliance rather than focusing on concept from viewers’ point of view. Except one or a half comedy scene, movie is zero on entertainment quotient. Film picks up a bit only when Jiiva catches the first man in Robber Gang. Core conflict in ‘Mask’ is revealed just before the first half. 

Flashback of Selva and Narain is well shot. Then climax is also dissimilar from routine ones. With its own advantages and touch of innovativeness, as usual ‘Mask’ suffers from all those disadvantages required for a Tamil to Telugu dubbed film. Commercially, there might be minimal chance of Tamil audiences to grab this ‘Mask’ but for Telugu public, sorry no way. 

Final Verdict of the Movie Mask: Flask of Tea is a Must, to bear this Mask.

                                                                                           Reviewed by Srivaas