Max review: Sudeep shines in a one-note action fest

It takes a certain kind of courage to write a one-note film and pack it with well-choreographed action set pieces without any of the trappings (barring an item number, sigh!) of a film where

the hero is the saviour. For instance, the traditional mother sentiment is turned on its head — with the mother (Sudha Belawadi) telling others that the families of those in the police

force should be brave — and there’s no romance angle that diverts the hero from his grand goal. This is one of the main reasons the film races past at a spiff two hours and 13 minutes. 

But what debut director Vijay Karthikeyaa has with him is an action star of Sudeep’s calibre. This is the kind of role Sudeep can do with his eyes closed — show brawn, fight, and casually

spread his charisma around. And, he delights his core fan base with this film where he does all the things they’ve come to expect of him — kickass action, punch dialogues and a certain

swagger that, strangely, comes effortlessly to someone also capable of deep nuance and sensitivity. 

The film’s initial sequences might remind you, in some ways of films set in police stations where a siege might also be part of the plan, but Vijay quickly cuts away to show you more, and

more action. Where the film scores is by throwing challenges at a seemingly invincible Arjun (Sudeep) — he has for assistants and collaborators a bunch of people who keep bumbling. And, he’s

forgiving of their mistakes. And, that is the source of the little tension that builds up. Else, you know he will vanquish all.

At one stage, you wonder if Arjun Mahakshay or Max’s entry comes with a backstory, but all you get to know is that he vanquishes the bad, gets suspended and travels to a new posting. So,

extra-judicial killings are straightaway made commonplace here. In this film, two chance dialogues in a car are placed strategically so your logical brain won’t question how the cops are

certain who the criminal is. The rest of the film too, has its logic and logistics firmly in place, which is nice. Because, the tone and treatment is that of a commercial potboiler, not a

gritty thriller. 

To top it all, there’s crime inspector Roopa (Varalaxmi Sarathkumar acquits herself well) who does everything except policing — she firmly is in the opposite camp, led by the usually

effective Sunil who is wasted as a gang leader. And, she’s written as someone with equal chutzpah, which is a big deal in a commercial flick. 

Ilavarasu plays Ravanan, a police official on the cusp of retirement who ends up presiding over something terrible in the police station. His dubbing voice almost matches his original Tamil

voice, important because he is the kind of performer who uses body and voice beautifully.  

Cinematography by Shekar Chandru is on point, and Shivakumar J is the art director who has some innovative props (such as a giant exhaust fan in a factory) for the fight scenes (stunt

choreography by Chethan Dsouza, Kevin Kumar and Dhilip Subbarayan ). Editor SR Ganesh Baabu’s brief would have been to keep the film moving without pausing for breath — and he does that

effectively. Ajaneesh Loknath’s assignment is similar — pulsating music that goes with the action. There’s little scope for any tender interludes here. 

Vijay keeps the focus firmly on Sudeep’s Arjun, but also allows other characters enough screen time for you to remember them. Is this Sudeep’s best or what he’s capable of? No. But, is this

the Sudeep his fan following missed sorely at the movies? Oh yes. That way, Max serves its purpose. And, it does not offend too many while at it.

PS: A general word of caution for directors while showing characters that have suffered abuse. Don’t train the lens on them, please. And, don’t vest the burden of punishment with them. 

Subha J Rao is an entertainment journalist covering Tamil and Kannada cinema and is based out of Mangaluru, Karnataka.

Disclaimer: This review was not paid for or commissioned by anyone associated with the film. Neither TNM nor any of its reviewers have any sort of business relationship with the film’s

producers or any other members of its cast and crew.