Premiere snapshot
By day three, the buzz around War 2 has already settled into
mixed reactions. Walking out of the theater, my feeling is simple: it is not
worth the hype, but it is not a total letdown either. That balance pretty much shaped how i saw the rest of the film.
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| Image Credit: © Yash Raj Films |
Plot in a nutshell
The film revolves around India facing a threat from a cartel
that wants the country’s downfall. It sounds engaging, and at first glance it
has the makings of a tense spy drama. The first half works better because you
are pulled in by the stylish action, even though the visuals do not always hold
up. The second half has content worth exploring, but it never translates
strongly on screen. By the time you walk out, you realize the story is good
only in parts, and most of those parts are action blocks.
Performances to remember
Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR deliver what you expect, nothing
more, nothing less. Their bond feels natural, and there is even an emotional
scene between them that works, though it arrives a little too late. Kiara
Advani, on the other hand, stands out. Unlike earlier spy-universe heroines who
were sidelined, she has enough screen space and uses it well. She brings both
performance and charm, making her character feel important in the larger setup.
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Moments to watch for
If you are a fan of action, there are moments worth your
ticket. The chase sequences, one-on-one fights, and slick hand-to-hand
choreography are neat. The problem lies in the execution of stunts, which are
over the top to the point where even Marvel might hesitate. In Indian cinema,
logic often takes a backseat in action, and fans will not mind. For them, these
moments are a treat. The background score lifts these sequences, even if the
songs themselves are not memorable.
Where it fails
The film’s biggest drawback is its narration. Despite a
strong premise and layered backstories, the screenplay never grips. The
emotional beats are underused, and the plot feels flat. The other problem is
the VFX. For a film marketed as a big-budget spy spectacle, the visual effects
look weak. They are slightly better than earlier spy universe films, but
nowhere near the standard that the big screen deserves. For a common audience
member, this takes away the excitement. Fans may enjoy the star power, but for
others, the flaws are hard to ignore.
Verdict and rewatch value
War 2 is a film carried by its casting. Hrithik Roshan, Jr
NTR, and Kiara Advani together ensure people buy tickets, but the film does not
make full use of the opportunity. The action blocks and star performances are
entertaining, but narration and VFX drag it down. If you are a fan, it is worth
watching once in theaters. If you are just looking for a solid action-thriller,
waiting for its OTT release might be the better choice. Rewatch value is low,
because outside the action, there is not much that sticks.
