In the field of ever more progressive regional films, ‘Martin’ was to be the forerunner. Directed by A.P. Arjun and starring Dhruva Sarja, this Kannada action drama was to redefine the genre with high-energy action, hard-hitting visuals, and a main character tormented by his past. Instead what we get is a self-destructive and mind-numbing saga a very ambitious play of patriotism, revenge, and testosterone that is put together without thought or clarity.
A Plot Lost in Chaos
The account of Martin which we are given is of a man with a past shrouded in mystery and blood. Put forth as a savior of the country he sets out on a journey of self discovery which at the same time is a war against terrorism. While the idea is there the story is so complex and filled with clichés it comes off as a series of separate elements put together rather than a whole piece.
The film cuts between flashbacks, betrayals, dramatic speeches, and choreographed action sequences so quickly that the audience does not get a chance to connect with the characters. In the center is Martin which is mostly silent but very much so in action, he does not grow so much as explode from scene to scene.
Dhruva Sarja: Style before Substance.
Dhruva does very large in person and it is clear that he is fully into the role. He has an unmissable screen presence which also he uses very well in action scenes which is the film’s only real strong point. At the same time, the character he plays is very flat. Martin is put forward almost as a legend more than a human being which is a great way to present a hero but the emotion that could have made his story connect with the audience is missing.
His characters’ lines which are often delivered in a loud voice with great national feeling become repetitive as the film goes on. It is as though the script is trying to yell its way to success, that volume will make up for detail.
Action Overkill and Visual Excess
If you are into large-scale action that leaves no room for subtlety, Martin has it in full force. We see cars that have left this world and are flying, bullets that are an abundant feature, and baddies that scream out loud as they get flung across the room. The action in this film is a mix of what you see in South Indian masala movies and what you expect from Hollywood blockbusters, yet in its quest to outdo everything else the film crosses the line.
Instead into the story’s enhancement, we are presented with an overabundance which instead exhausts as it does present — we are bombarded in a way that is tiresome rather than thrilling. Director Satya Hegde does bring to the chaos a great energy which is to his credit, but even he is unable to rescue sequences that are put forth without any real point.
Patriotism Turned Propaganda
Patriotism is an issue which comes up again and again in Martin but we see it in the face of a sledgehammer. The movie puts out the info that the hero loves his motherland at every turn which in turn drowns out the story. What little emotion we are supposed to get from these scenes instead come off as contrived and jingoistic.
The filmmakers meant for Martin to represent strength, sacrifice, and Indian pride. But in the end we see through a lack of a solid story and unsympathetic characters that those themes are little more than empty slogans. By the time we get to the third patriotic monologue it has rather transformed into a propaganda piece which is a turn off as a film.
Music and Sound: Rambunctious yet Unremembered.
Mani Sharma’s score is loud and dramatic which unfortunately also means it is easy to forget. The music builds up and booms at the same old points which in turn try to play up tension and emotion that the story doesn’t live up to. Also, the songs used are out of place which in turn puts a break on what little momentum the film can generate.
Final Verdict: A Lost Chance.
In Martin’s case he had everything that goes into making a great action epic a strong lead, a talented visual team, and a story with real depth. But they got ahead of themselves which in turn brought about their down fall. The film comes apart at the seams under the pressure of it all.
For audiences seeking something profound Martin is a boring chronicle of violence and misplaced patriotism. For fans of over the top action and style may find a few kicks out of it. But for the rest of us it’s a “waste of time” best left off the radar.
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