War 2
Detailed Review with Star Ratings
Story & Screenplay
The plot follows Major Kabir Dhaliwal (Hrithik Roshan), now operating as a rogue mercenary, who appears to have crossed to the dark side. RAW sends elite agent Vikram Chelapathi (Jr NTR) to bring him down, but revelations about their shared past as childhood friends from Mumbai slums complicate the mission. The story centers around the Kali Cartel, a global criminal syndicate plotting to infiltrate the Indian government.
Critical Assessment:
- • Predictable and formulaic storyline that follows tried-and-tested spy thriller tropes
- • Weak screenplay with rushed pacing and convenient plot devices
- • Lacks narrative engagement and emotional depth compared to its predecessor
- • Convoluted plot that struggles to maintain coherence throughout its runtime
Performances
Hrithik Roshan
Delivers a commanding performance as Kabir, showcasing his trademark charisma, action prowess, and screen presence. His emotional scenes are particularly noteworthy, and he owns every frame with his swagger.
Jr NTR
Makes a solid Bollywood debut as Vikram, bringing intensity and natural energy to his role. However, some critics note his performance feels one-dimensional at times.
Kiara Advani
Despite limited screen time, she performs adequately as Wing Commander Kavya Luthra, though her character feels underwritten and sidelined.
Supporting Cast
Anil Kapoor and Ashutosh Rana deliver competent performances in their respective roles.
Action Sequences
Strengths
- • Well-executed fight sequences and car chases, particularly in the first half
- • Impressive scale and grandeur in action set pieces
- • Slick choreography that maintains visual appeal
Weaknesses
- • Lacks the punch of the original War film
- • Repetitive chase sequences that become predictable
- • Falls into insipid middle ground – neither over-the-top nor grounded enough
Visual Effects & Cinematography
This represents one of the film’s major disappointments:
- • Subpar VFX quality that’s particularly noticeable in train jumping and boat chase sequences
- • Poor CGI that detracts from the viewing experience, especially given the ₹400 crore budget
- • Obvious green screen work with uneven lighting in places
- • Lacks visual innovation despite the franchise’s ambitious scale
Music & Background Score
Pritam’s soundtrack fails to leave a lasting impression:
Background Music
- • Effective retention of the original War’s background score
- • Pumps adrenaline during action sequences
Songs
- • Forgettable tracks with only “Janaabe Aali” standing out
- • Major letdown compared to the first film’s soundtrack
- • Lacks recall value and impact
Direction
Ayan Mukerji’s direction shows both promise and significant shortcomings:
Positives
- • Understands the assignment of creating a Hollywood-style actioner
- • Maintains visual spectacle throughout the film
- • Trademark red tones and stylistic choices
Negatives
- • Falls into formula trap despite having visionary potential
- • Poor pacing with excessive dialogue slowing down the thriller
- • Overemphasis on universe-building that diminishes stakes
- • Fails to balance the screen time effectively between lead actors
Technical Aspects
Cinematography
Standard spy thriller visuals with familiar color palettes offering nothing innovative
Editing
Erratic editing that hampers action sequence flow and overall pacing
Production Design
Lavish and impressive scale with extensive international locations
Sound Design
Adequate but not exceptional, serving the action sequences appropriately
Runtime & Pacing
At nearly three hours, the film feels excessively long and stretched. The sluggish second half particularly drags with unnecessary backstories and dialogue-heavy sequences.
Final Verdict
War 2 emerges as a visually appealing but narratively hollow spectacle that prioritizes style over substance. While it delivers on the promised action and star power, it falls significantly short of its predecessor’s impact and fails to justify its massive budget and runtime.
✓ Best For:
Hrithik Roshan fans and action movie enthusiasts willing to overlook narrative weaknesses
✗ Skip If:
You’re expecting a well-crafted story, memorable music, or groundbreaking cinema
The film represents a missed opportunity that could have been much better with a stronger screenplay, tighter editing, and improved visual effects. Despite the star power of Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR, War 2 struggles to rise above its formulaic approach and technical shortcomings.
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