Directed by Manu Anand, the movie opens with a rather interesting premise, and the trailer has made a first impression on me. When I sat down to watch it, I wondered whether or not that promise would become a consistently entertaining movie experience.
In its essence Mr. X is a spy action movie which revolves around a high stake operation of a nuclear device. This story is set on a situation where this machine, which was being driven on behalf of India, becomes stuck in a snowy area. A man, who has preserved it over the years, suddenly faces some complications, and a specialised spy team is sent to overcome the crisis. Although it is the simplest plot, the movie tries to add more layers and working details especially in the first half.
The initial half is somewhat captivating, and this is partially because of how the movie sets itself up. The definition of the nuclear threats and the geopolitical tension surrounding it are explained in a clear and straightforward way, so that the stakes become real. These passages are also enhanced by the camera work of Arul Vincent which gives the film a smooth visual feel. The climax stretch is the best part, with a long stunt sequence, which lasts almost 20 minutes. The acting and dancing of this scene give a feeling of intensity which is nearest to theatrical climax.
Technically, the movie is sound on the whole. The editing of Prasanna GK is clear and there are good use of slow-motions to make it look better. Sound design is good and the VFX in some parts, especially in the bomb blast, nuclear explosion and underwater scenes is effective. It is to the credit of Stunt Silva that he creates constantly interesting action sequences, whether it is a high-octane climax or a properly executed road chase. All these elements give the film a good technical basis.
The ensemble cast performs well, performance-wise. Arya is comfortable in the role and can easily cope with its physical requirements. Gautham Karthik is an actor with slightly unconventional character which he plays with confidence. His presence, without telling too much, gives the story an interesting twist. Manju Warrier, R. Sarathkumar, Raiza Wilson, Athulya Ravi, Kaali Venkat, and Jayaprakash are all contributing their part and there are no perceptible weak performances.
Thematically, the movie tries to put the spy agents as the silent heroes operating in the shadows to do what is right. Though this is a commendable intention, the implementation becomes troublesome in the second half. The denouement brings about a twist where one of the important characters changes depending on the circumstances, which brings up a moral question of whether such agents ought to be applauded or challenged. This twist does not quite stick. The character is obviously laid out in the preceding scenes, but is changed in a manner that hints of betrayal, undermining the emotional and ideological basis of the movie.
A significant weakness comes out as the writing. The plot is too cliche, something that the spy genre has done before. Despite the fast pacing of the screenplay, it seldom creates any real suspense. The number of moments that really shine is minimal, and the lack of a substantial high point is becoming more and more evident as the movie advances, turning it into a more of a routine than an exciting experience.
Even with the good stunt work, the movie cannot afford to rely on action to hold its own. There are a number of logical inconsistencies within the experience. An important item is being taken away in a personal aircraft in Russia to India but it is not demonstrated but only talked about. The hacker cliche is revisited, yet the character is not assigned anything that would be of any significant value to do on screen. These holes make some portions of the story seem undeveloped.
Predictability is another influence on the film. The initial turn can be predicted, and some plot twists are reminiscent of traditional spy films, especially the character who became a rogue through the situation. Even a road fight scene brings a feel of deja vu and it is not as effective.
The background score by Dhibu Ninan Thomas does not go well with the images. In a few instances, the music does not seem to fit the scenes, and it is too loud and distracting. The songs, as well, do not make a lasting impression.
The loss of emotional attachment is disappointing in the end. A movie about spy agents is supposed to make people experience their sacrifices and hardships, but this is lacking in this film. Thus, experience is remote and, in some cases, wearying.
Ultimately, Mr. X is a well-constructed movie with admirable action and photography, but lacks narrative, interest, and feeling. It is still an average watch that would have been much more effective with better writing and more sense of a unified narrative vision. I would rate it 2.75 out of 5.
