Director Guna Senniappan's 'Weapon' has made headlines multiple times over the past year. It was one of the first few films to use AI to de-age actor Sathyaraj. Additionally, the film's trailer intrigued many viewers, hinting at a solid action thriller revolving around the concept of superhumans. Did the film manage to hold your attention? Let's find out!
'Weapon' delves deep into the story right from the get-go. Set in the pre-Independence era, we are introduced to the concept of a super serum used by Hitler to develop super soldiers. While SNetaji Subash Chandra Bose and another freedom fighter had the opportunity to get hold of the serum, Bose dismissed the idea due to its potential consequences. After his death, the other freedom fighter got hold of the serum and fed it to his son.
Meanwhile, there's DK (Rajeev Menon), who heads Black Society Division 9, which carries out assassinations and is in search of superhumans as well. Then there's Agni (Vasanth Ravi), who is an award-winning YouTuber, who researches superhumans and advocates for nature. An untoward accident in Theni brings the topic of superhumans to light. Who are these superhumans?
Director Guhan Senniappan's 'Weapon' begins as an investigative thriller. We know that a massive blast occurred, and YouTuber Agni was found near the site. The NSG officials conduct an investigation regarding the explosion. Strangely, a man with a mask is brought in by the NSG to bring out the truth from Agni. While it begins as an investigative thriller, we are soon introduced to tons of sub-plots. So much so that our brain is occupied with so much information but too little time to process it.
There are multiple scientific concepts - Neutrino research, cloning - to name a few peppered throughout the screenplay. Then there's another research, headed by DK, which can grow a limb or arm with a serum. These are too far-fetched and hard to believe even though the visual effects try to make up for the ambitious ideas.
'Weapon' is a perfect example of the proverb 'too my cooks spoil the broth'. In this case, it's the numerous sub-plots, narrated in a non-linear fashion, that subvert the impact. Despite decent performances from Sathyaraj and Vasanth Ravi, it is too difficult to take 'Weapon' seriously because of its far-fetched ideas. Rajeev Menon's performance is hardly effective, and the concept of the Black Society is not fully developed. They come and go as they wish, adding to the confusion with more sub-plots.
Though the film is technically strong with neat visual effects, the filmmaker failed to explore the potential of the script to the fullest. Had Guhan Senniappan cut down on a few sub-plots, he would have had a vast canvas to explain the concepts in a manner that could be savoured.
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