It's great to see the filmmakers here continue to try to explore the time travel genre we've seen for a while. In most of these issues, the central characters find themselves in conflict trying to use a time machine to change the past. So do the main characters in Aadhik Ravichandran's Mark Antony, but what is special here is the story, treatement, staging, performances and chaotic retrospective. In the first act, we are introduced to Chiranjeev (Selvaragavan), a scientist who invents a telephone that allows time travel to past. Anyone who can access it can call and communicate with people into the past. Anyone who can access it can call and communicate with people from the past.
Twenty years later, in 1995, we see Mark (Vishal), the son of the late gangster Antony (Vishal) and Jackie ( SJ Suryah), a ruthless gangster seeking revenge for the death of his close friend Antony. While Mark grows up to be a mechanic by profession, Jackie's son Madhan Pandy (SJ Suryah) is an aspiring gangster. Marko believes that his father Antony is the reason for his mother's death. However his life turns around when he finds a time machine in his garage. When Mark gets a chance to interact with the people his faher sent his past, he realises that Antony is not who he thinks he is. He learns about his father and many other incidents that have been kept under the rug for years.
Against all odds, can Mark change certain events in the past and bring his father back to life? Without logic, Mark Antony could certainly work for someone just looking for two and half hours of non-stop entertainment. While Adhik's story telling help to some extent, SJ Suryah's eccentric performance keeps us engaged throughout. For example, the scene where SJ's son Suryah tries to communicate with her in the future is so funny and the audience is waiting. Although the plot is not different and follows the usual gangster drama pattern, Aadhik applies all his skills in visual and effective staging of important action sequences, Right from the start, the director sets the perfect mood for his quirky sci-fi drama with characters and massive soundtracks. While sometimes feel like grabbing the remote and turning down the volume, some moments wouldn't work without GV Prakash's touch.
The idea of bringing back late actor Silk Smitha for a very important scene is totally commendable. But the climax is chaotic; Antony's return at the end is something to behold. Vishal is as good as SJ Suryah in terms of performance and their combination scene are a joy to watch. Ritu Varma, who plays Mark's girlfriend, lived up to what was expected from her character despite less screen time. Marco Antonio is not a great movie, but it is a fairly refreshing entertainer that delivers on what it promises.
