Cast: Mohanlal, Maya Rao West, Cesar Lorente Raton, Ignacio Mateos, Kallirroi Tziafeta, Nerea Camacho Ramos, Daniel Caltagirone

Crew: 
Based on Barroz: Guardian of D'Gama's Treasure by Jijo Punnoose
Cinematography by Santosh Sivan 
Editing by B. Ajith Kumar 
Music by Lydian Nadhaswaram, Fernando Guerreiro, Miguel Guerreiro, Mark Killian (Background Score) 
Produced by Antony Perumbavoor
Directed by Mohanlal 

Mohanlal, one of the legends of Indian Cinema, debuted as a director with the film, Barroz. The movie is shot in 3D cameras and presents a different story from regular commercial formula films with International cast in leading roles besides Mohanlal. Movie released on 25th December for Christmas season worldwide. Let's discuss about this different attempt from a Superstar. 

Plot: 
Barroz(Mohanlal) wakes up in a treasure room in the basement of Da Gama palace in Goa, preventing a theft attempt. He realises that he is a ghost and governed by an African Voodoo Doll. Being in shackles, he waits patiently for 389 years for the legitimate heir of Da Gama treasure to be free and hand it over to the rightful owners. 

Isabella(Maya Rao West), a highly spoilt brat, gets suspended from her school and her father has plans to demolish Da Gama palace and convert it into a luxury casino, according to Goa government plans. But she is opposite to that idea. She finds out that she is the legitimate heiress of Da Gama's kin. What will she do to free Barroz? Will it be easy as many other tryants have plans to steal the treasure? Watch the movie to know more. 

Analysis: 
Mohanlal has a performer is no doubt a great actor. He did a good job in this film too but direction seems to have weighed on his shoulders. At places, he did try something new with his performance but it felt slightly artificial and without context. 

International actors, mainly, Maya Rao West looked clueless at important places and her performance doesn't really add to the film's emotional core. Which in-turn keeps us away from investing into her story and entire screenplay. All others either overact or be too dramatic. 

Melodrama done well isn't an issue but when it looks forced upon and slightly artificial, then you have issues. Unfortunately, this film's core is surrounded around surrealistic elements from different ethnic beliefs and values. They all needed to sit together but Mohanlal tried to space them out in a narrative that doesn't flow like a river. 

It is more like a stop-go motion. It tries to hang a bit too long for 3D effect to take over and you can see that the ambition of director Mohanlal to make a stunning 3D film has taken over his narrative. While the 3D is crafty and passionately brought to life, each shot being constructed for depth effect and prolonged for the desired wow factor slowed down the movie further which already lacks in powerful emotional connect. 

Santosh Sivan's camera work, VFX and 3D work are exceptional but they cannot suffice for the lack of proper story, strong emotional core, unintentionally funny songs and performances. If you wish to watch the movie for 3D effect, maybe you can give it a try. 

In Conclusion: 
Isabella's treasure cannot just be 3D gimmick! 

Rating: 2/5