When Major Kabir Dhaliwal went rogue in War (2019), India sent its best after him. That story came to its chaotic resolution with Kabir still working outside the system and the powers that be (Ashutosh Rana's Colonel Sunil Luthra) supporting it. But, now, with the pressing need to grow the YRF Spy Universe and Col Luthra being unable to vouch for Kabir, India once again sends its best after the rogue agent. Enter Jr NTR's Vikram.
The major difference between the premise of War 2 and War is that Vikram and Kabir seemingly have no history, unlike Tiger Shroff's Khalid Rahmani (a protege of Kabir) who goes after Kabir in the original. This is an important distinction because the relationship between Kabir and Khalid allowed for a dance number to be squeezed into the plot of War pretty easily. So, the burning question was, how would the dance number featuring Hrithik and Jr NTR fit into the plot of War 2? After all, just like in the original, it was a major marketing plank. Would they randomly stop punching each other and start dancing? Mercifully, it was slightly more subtle than that. I expect that is the best one can expect from the franchise that had John Abraham holding down two helicopters!
Let’s move on to other ‘highlights’ of the Ayan Mukerji movie. The opening sequence – Kabir's big intro – is, sadly, an absolute damp squib. Intrigue follows, but soon gives way to tropes. The monotony is broken by Jr NTR’s introduction, which is a shade better than Hrithik’s. Only because of the fresh idea (forget logic or physics).
For part of the first half, the intrigue regarding a shadowy organisation builds. But, soon, it all comes crashing down like a house of cards.
The third action setpiece is atop an aircraft. The absurdity of the action only matched by poor camera work.
The second half brings no respite. The schemes of the shadowy organisation feel half-baked at best. But, it is no match for the juvenile motivations of the primary antagonist, who is revealed at the end of the first half. The build-up to this reveal was decent, but the makers managed to ruin it moments before the actual revelation. At times, it is easy to feel angry at how irritating the characters are, before remembering it is the characterisation that makes them so.
The dialogues are no better. Mukerji’s earlier venture Brahmastra, too, suffered from this same problem, though it may not be the director’s fault. While Brahmastra had Alia Bhatt repeating "Shiva", War 2 has multiple characters saying "India first" to the point that we can predict when those two words are coming.
The actors have done a decent job – Hrithik is a proven customer, but Jr NTR holds his own against him in his first Bollywood outing. Kiara Advani does justice to what little she has been given, but that the absence of her character would not have made any difference to the film speaks volumes of her characterisation.
The hand-to-hand and close combat choreography is good at times, but there is also a lot of amateurish stunt work. The makers seem to think that slow motion scenes can make up for it. The CGI, too, is a major letdown.
After sitting through War 2 for three hours, it was tough to think of more redeeming aspects. Perhaps, how good the actors look. Indeed, Hrithik's slow motion walks drew the loudest cheers in the cinema hall. Even the perfect opportunity for a Spy Universe cameo was wasted. But, do keep an eye on the mention of other characters at the end, a Pathaan reference in the mid-credits scene and the glimpse of the upcoming, Alpha.
Film: War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Jr NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana, Anil Kapoor
Rating: 1/5
