What Mammootty's new film 'Turbo' has going for it, and what it does not

Mammootty's no-holds-barred acting in 'Turbo' is an absolute plus.

At 72, Mammootty is undeterred by a physically demanding role complete with stunts devised by the brilliant Phoenix Prabu. At 72, Mammootty is undeterred by a physically demanding role complete with stunts devised by the brilliant Phoenix Prabu.

Mammootty plays a jeep driver who helps star-crossed lovers elope in the film. Unfortunately, neither the lovers nor their love story is very interesting. Mammootty plays a jeep driver who helps star-crossed lovers elope in the film. Unfortunately, neither the lovers nor their love story is very interesting.

... But Christo Xavier and SVDP's track Burnout the Engine keeps the action moving along, and is quite the earworm. ... But Christo Xavier and SVDP's track Burnout the Engine keeps the action moving along, and is quite the earworm.

Raj B. Shetty does justice to Vetrivel Shanmugha Sundaram's unrestrained villainy; his work in this film demands to be seen. Raj B. Shetty does justice to Vetrivel Shanmugha Sundaram's unrestrained villainy; his work in this film demands to be seen.

Turbo Jose's (Mammootty) equation with his mom Rosakutty, played by Bindu Panicker, is delightful.

But there are some things in the movie that just don't work... But there are some things in the movie that just don't work...

Even with a champion as worthy as Mammootty, and Turbo Jose, the film suffers from poor writing and poorer jokes. Even with a champion as worthy as Mammootty, and Turbo Jose, the film suffers from poor writing and poorer jokes.

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Director Vysakh's film is stylish in places, but even Mammootty and Raj B Shetty can't save it from becoming a bit of a drag. Director Vysakh's film is stylish in places, but even Mammootty and Raj B Shetty can't save it from becoming a bit of a drag.