Max Movie Review

It has been quite some time since we have seen Kichcha Sudeep on the big screen. He is back with his new action drama titled Max. The Telugu version has been released two days after its Kannada release. Let’s review the film here.

Plot

Max (Sudeep) is a fearless cop preparing to rejoin duty after a suspension. Just hours before his return, he arrests two high-profile youngsters for misbehaving with women and brings them to his station. The twist arises when the two suspects die in his custody. Chaos ensues as the henchmen of the deceased launch an attack on Max and his team. How Max saves his team and handles the escalating situation at the station forms the core of the story of the film.

Performances

It has been two long years since we have seen Sudeep on the big screen. All those who missed him will be satisfied with Sudeep’s act in Max. Be it his action blocks, dialogue delivery, screen presence, and intense looks, Sudeep is top-notch and carries the film on his shoulders. Varalaxmi Sarathkumar gets back to a negative role after a long gap and creates an impact though she is loud in many scenes. Her screen presence helps the film’s theme a lot. Sunil and Ilavarasu do their jobs well and are nothing great to rave about.

Technical Aspects

The production values of Max are top notch and all the money spent is shown on screen. The editing is not that great as the first half could have been trimmed a bit to make things better. The heart and soul of Max is Ajaneesh Lokanath. Though his songs are forgettable, Ajaneesh’s BGM is top-notch and elevates the film to another level. It is his score that keeps the audience glued. The story of the film is simple and reminds you of Karthi’s Khaidi which also happens in a single night. The rest of the technical aspects are just about okay.

Thumbs Up

Sudeep’s performances
Riveting background score
A few twists

Thumbs Down

Lengthy first half
Slow pace
A few over-the-top dialogues

Analysis

There is no denying the fact that the moment you start watching Max, you will immediately be reminded of Karthi’s Khaidi. Both films share a similar premise, as the story unfolds throughout a single night. However, the narratives of the two films are quite different. Max features several episodes heavily inspired by recent action dramas.

The film begins at a very slow pace, with the first half-hour dedicated to character building, which makes the proceedings feel dull. Things only pick up when the actual twist is revealed, leading to some racy sequences that set up the interval. The second half is packed with relentless action, catering primarily to Sudeep’s fans.

While a few action blocks stand out, others, along with the over-the-top dialogues, feel excessive and loud. The climax is predictable and lacks impact, making it easy to foresee. What salvages the film is Sudeep’s intense performance. His commanding screen presence holds the audience’s attention and makes a significant difference.

Despite the routine moments, when the best scenes and action sequences unfold, Max does manage to deliver. For a film of Sudeep’s scale, it feels grand, and his fans will enjoy watching him in an action-packed role. While the film’s loudness might not appeal to everyone, action-drama enthusiasts will likely find it entertaining, while others might prefer different options.

Bottom Line: For a few well-made action blocks

Rating: 2.5/5