CBI 5: The Brain

Delightfully star-studded and twisty, the film is a mystery-laden treat to those who love the franchise and the genre. CBI 5 is definitely a worthy successor of the other movies in the franchise, with Mammootty's mannerisms as Iyer classy and the much-loved background score adding punch to the tale.

CBI 5 throws bombastic and stilted lines into the mix in what appears to be a misplaced attempt at contemporisation. After a while though, it becomes too convoluted, too crowded with people and twists, and towards the end, those twists are too contrived to be convincing. Whatever CBI 5's errors may be, it is exasperating to watch a film leaning too obviously on Mammootty's larger-than-life personality to get by.

CBI 5 The Brain, the fifth chapter in the CBI franchise, directed by K Madhu and written by SN Swami, has all the elements to satisfy a Sethurama Iyer fan, and thriller fans in general. Mammootty, as usual, was effortless as Sethurama Iyer, maintaining the charm and calmness needed for the iconic character.

Unfortunately, for the fifth film in the series, there is hardly anything else to add value apart from the nostalgia factor. Some sequels end up spoiling for us the memory of an entire series. CBI 5: The Brain is one of those.

Even Mammootty, reprising the adored role of Sethurama Iyer, that invincible sleuth who never fails, can do little to save the film. However, it is the writing that is a bigger letdown. The investigation or the mystery barely manages to keep your interest, even when the script has stuck to the formula.