JACK, produced by Sri Venkateswara Cine Chitra, was released in theatres today.
Story:
Pablo Neruda, as a child, was an excellent player. But his maverick attitude made him his trainers’ nightmare. As he grows up, Pablo aka Jack (Siddhu Jonnalagadda) itches to do something unconventional. After attempting to get into RAW, he works on the sidelines secretly to foil a major terrorist attack. Jack, however, doesn’t realize the enormity of the challenge. When things turn messy, he invites the wrath of the RAW team, led by Prakash Raj’s character. Is there a way out? If yes, what is it? How is Jack going to outsmart the country’s enemies? That’s what the second half is all about.
Analysis:
Siddhu Jonnalagadda‘s ease continues to be intact. He successfully rises above the character Tillu in playing a Smart Alec (with many redeeming qualities) who won’t be taken for a ride. His chemistry with Vaishnavi Chaitanya enlivens the rom-com track. The scenes between him and Prakash Raj are among the most consequential. It’s commendable that Prakash Raj, after big-ticket movies like KGF 2 and Devara, has played a substantial spy in this thriller comedy.
VK Naresh is allowed to exhibit the frustrations of a typical onscreen dad. The negative characters played by Rahul Dev, Ali Reza and Shabeer Kallarakkal, should have been given more personality.
Writer-director Bommarillu Bhaskar attempts to revive a genre that has slowly been rendered too serious by Bollywood spy movies. This storyline would have turned into an intense spy drama in the hands of some other industry. But by attaching quirky traits to Jack and calling him an unpredictable spy, the director makes the anti-terror operation breezy rather than existential.
The film doesn’t take too long to dive into the story. The ‘Master of Disguises’ track is narrated in the course of a couple of minutes. How Pablo aka Jack trains himself into becoming an expert hacker, a consummate shadow cop, and more could have been elaborated further.
The hero-heroine episode is not a side dish. Vaishnavi’s character gets to observe Jack’s full-blown adventure play out right in front of her eyes.
The soundtrack has been composed by Achu Rajamani, Suresh Bobbili, and Sam CS (background score). Vijay K Chakravarthy’s sharp cinematography amplifies the film’s suspenseful quality at times. Navin Nooli’s crisp editing proves to be crucial in maintaining the pace of the crime caper. Kolla Avinash’s production design probably creates a believable yet slightly quirky world, perfect for this genre blend.
Verdict:
A watchable blend of spy thriller and rom-com, buoyed by Siddhu Jonnalagadda’s charm and a lighthearted approach to a serious premise. While plot depth could have been explored further, ‘JACK’ offers an entertaining take on the genre.
Trailer:
Watch Jack Movie Trailer
Also Read: Trailer of Siddu Jonnalagadda’s JACK is so much fun
Watch Telugu Online Here
