Kattalan Review: Ambitious Ivory-Smuggling Thriller Gets Lost in Noise and Slow Motion

After watching Kattalan this week, I felt the Malayalam action thriller had an interesting premise involving ivory smuggling and international crime networks, but its execution struggled under excessive slow motion, loud background music, and an unfocused narrative.

Movie Review

Hyderabad, May 31: With very few major releases creating significant buzz this week, I decided to watch Kattalan, the Malayalam action thriller that has also generated attention among Telugu audiences due to Sunil’s presence in a major villain role.

After watching the film, my biggest takeaway was that Kattalan tries to be too many things at the same time.

At its core, the movie revolves around the illegal smuggling of elephant tusks, often referred to as “white gold” because of their enormous value in the black market. The story introduces criminal cartels, international smuggling networks, and locations stretching across Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Colombo, and Jaffna.

On paper, it sounds like an intriguing crime thriller with a large canvas. However, while watching the film, I often felt that the screenplay was moving in too many directions without properly developing any single idea.

The film constantly introduces new elements and concepts but struggles to connect them into a satisfying narrative. At different points, it wants to be a crime drama, a mass-action entertainer, a smuggling thriller, and even a redemption story. Unfortunately, these components never fully come together.

Inspired By Several Blockbusters?

While watching Kattalan, I couldn’t help but notice similarities to several successful South Indian action films.

The film’s presentation often feels inspired by movies like KGF and Pushpa. The violence-heavy sequences, larger-than-life character moments, and dramatic elevation scenes clearly aim for the same mass appeal.

There were also moments that reminded me of Marco, particularly in the treatment of violence and the overall action choreography.

Drawing inspiration from successful films isn’t necessarily a problem, but in Kattalan’s case, it sometimes feels more like imitation than inspiration. Instead of developing its own identity, the film frequently relies on familiar commercial formulas.

Ravi Basrur’s Background Score Becomes Overwhelming

One of the aspects I was most curious about before watching the movie was the music by Ravi Basrur.

The composer has built a reputation for delivering powerful scores in films like KGF and Salaar. His music has often been one of the biggest strengths of those projects.

However, in Kattalan, I felt the background score was often too loud and overwhelming.

From the opening scenes, the music rarely slows down. Even during sequences where very little is happening on screen, the background score continues at maximum intensity.

At several points, I found myself wishing the film would simply allow a moment of silence. Instead of supporting the scenes, the music frequently dominates them.

For me, it felt less like a background score and more like constant noise.

Too Much Slow Motion

Another issue I noticed throughout the film was the excessive use of slow-motion shots.

Almost every major scene seems to feature some form of slow-motion treatment. While slow motion can enhance dramatic moments when used effectively, Kattalan relies on it so heavily that it eventually becomes repetitive.

The film’s runtime is approximately two hours, but while watching it, I genuinely felt that removing many of the slow-motion sequences could reduce the runtime significantly.

The overuse of this technique affects the pacing and often makes scenes feel longer than necessary.

Sunil’s Villain Performance

For Telugu audiences, one of the major attractions of the film will be Sunil’s role as the primary antagonist.

Having watched several of Sunil’s recent performances as a villain, I was hoping to see something different here. Unfortunately, I felt his portrayal was quite familiar.

His voice modulation, expressions, and dialogue delivery reminded me of several previous negative roles he has played.

That doesn’t mean the performance is poor, but it lacks freshness. Viewers who have followed Sunil’s transition into villain roles may feel they have seen this version of the actor before.

The Biggest Positive: Cinematography

If there is one aspect of Kattalan that genuinely impressed me, it is the cinematography.

The film looks visually appealing throughout its runtime. Several action sequences are captured beautifully, and the overall visual presentation maintains a cinematic quality.

Whether it’s the landscapes, action scenes, or dramatic moments, the cinematography consistently elevates the viewing experience.

Even when the story struggles, the visuals remain engaging.

A Surprise Cameo At The End

One interesting element that audiences may enjoy is a surprise cameo appearance towards the end of the film.

I won’t reveal the identity because it could spoil the experience for those planning to watch the movie.

However, I can say that it involves a well-known filmmaker. The cameo is clearly designed to surprise audiences and potentially create excitement for future developments.

Fans will likely enjoy guessing the identity before they watch the film.

After watching Kattalan, I felt the movie had an interesting premise but failed to fully capitalize on its potential.

The story about ivory smuggling and international criminal networks had the ingredients for a gripping thriller. However, an unfocused screenplay, excessive slow motion, and an overpowering background score prevent the film from becoming truly engaging.

The cinematography remains the standout element, while the mystery surrounding the final cameo provides a small talking point for audiences.

For viewers who enjoy visually rich action films, Kattalan may still offer some entertainment. However, those looking for a tightly written crime thriller could find themselves disappointed.

Rating: 2.5/5

Kattalan aims for the scale of modern mass-action blockbusters but ultimately struggles to find its own identity.