War 2 Review: Two Leads, Too Dull

BOTTOM LINE
Two Leads, Too Dull

RATING
2/5

CENSOR
U/A, 2h 53m

What Is the Film About?

War 2 is about two friends (Hrithik and NTR) the choices that lead them down different paths, and how their journeys connect to the nation. Their motives and eventual confrontation form the high-level plot.

Performances

Hrithik Roshan

As expected Hrithik Roshan carries his trademark charm and magnetic screen presence in War 2. His look is very similar to what we saw in the first War with styling that complements his on-screen persona. The way he holds the frame and exudes confidence is a big plus. Performance-wise, while his role doesn’t go very deep, there are a few moments where we do see the actor in him shine.

NTR

For NTR, it was a commendable decision to join the most popular YRF spy series without worrying too much about expectations or the baggage that comes with it. However, many aspects from his styling to his character design and the writing behind his role end up disappointing, not just for his die-hard fans but even from a neutral, critical perspective. There isn’t anything particularly special about the way the character is conceived.

Performance-wise, the role hardly offers NTR much to work with, leaving little for the audience to take away. The character makes no lasting impact, which is a missed opportunity given the scale and ambition of the project.

Analysis

War 2 directed by Ayan Mukerji, is the follow-up to Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff’s War. This time, Hrithik is paired with South star NTR. The film opens intriguingly in Japan with an action block introducing Hrithik that is fairly engaging and well-executed. His screen presence and the action design instantly grab attention.

However what follows until the interval is a completely template-driven, cut-and-paste progression we have seen countless times in films of this genre. Normally, that wouldn’t be a major issue, as no one expects a groundbreaking story in a film like this. The problem here is that the action itself is not particularly enjoyable.

One would expect at least some fresh, engaging action set pieces and, when both heroes share the screen, an enjoyable chemistry that enhances the experience.

Instead, the action blocks while over the top, lack the freshness that would make them truly exciting. Even the writing falls short – when the heroes meet their conversations or when NTR’s character arc unfolds, everything stays at a surface level.

Kiara Advani is part of the mix, but her character has little to do and leaves no strong impression.

NTR’s introduction, though staged as a high-energy moment clearly aimed at South audiences, feels forced and fails to truly land. Overall, War 2’s first half is hardly passable, leaving a heavy burden on the second half to turn things around.

The second half of War 2 does not really turn the tables though there are a few sequences that are fairly engaging.

One action set piece in the early part of the second half is designed reasonably well, and a handful of scenes scattered throughout manage to hold some interest. However, the core issues remain unchanged.

The writing never improves, and the build-up to the action or the tension that makes action sequences truly enjoyable never materialises. The uninteresting characterizations, whether it’s Hrithik Roshan or NTR stay exactly as they were in the first half.

An emotional block between the two leads towards the end works to an extent, but the wrap-up that follows is completely underwhelming.

Overall, War 2 will be remembered as a wasted opportunity. A refreshing combination of a top North star and a South star like NTR should have delivered something special, yet NTR is grossly underutilised. Add to that the utterly routine core plot, action design, and execution, and the result is a film that leaves the audience with a deep sense of dissatisfaction from what was supposed to be an ambitious project.

Performances by Others Actors

War 2, despite having a few well-known supporting actors, completely wastes them. Anil Kapoor’s role is patchy and abrupt with just a couple of blink-and-miss appearances.

The same goes for the female lead Kiara Advani who appears in a song and a few brief love-track scenes, offering little of substance. There’s hardly anything worth mentioning about her performance.

Ashutosh Rana plays a supporting character and does justice to his role, but beyond that, no other supporting actor leaves a positive impact.

Music and Other Departments?

War 2 features music by Pritam. While there are a couple of songs, they are decent enough but far from chartbusters. Visually, they also land at just pass marks. The background score also by Pritam, starts off with promise but loses impact as the film progresses. This may be partly due to the way the story unfolds, so the lack of impact cannot be pinned entirely on him.

Cinematography by Jasper is adequate, delivering the kind of visuals one expects from a YRF production.

Editing by Aarif leaves much to be desired; several scenes feel painfully slow and drag on. The pacing drops noticeably after the action blocks, something that could have been taken care of.

As for the production values, YRF meets its usual standards but offers nothing surprising. The film visually looks fine but does not bring anything fresh to the table.

Highlights?

Both heroes’ dance, though not a standout

Emotional end moment

Couple of decent action blocks

Drawbacks?

Utterly templated story with zero freshness

No enjoyable moments between the two leads

Action blocks lack highs

Complete waste of the Hrithik–NTR combination

Did I Enjoy It?

No

Will You Recommend It?

No

War 2 Movie Review by M9

Live Updates

War 2 U.S. Premiere Report:

War2 is a recycled, same-old template with no genuine highs or enjoyable moments between the leads in a lengthy runtime. There are a few engaging scenes here and there, including a bit of an emotion towards ending, but overall it’s a disappointing action film in YRF series after Tiger 3.

NTR is grossly underutilized in this ambitious project with little to take away from it.

Rating: 2/5

Watch out for the detailed review coming soon.

#War2 Hardly passable first half!

Right from the start everything follows the same old template and familiar story. Even the over-the-top action blocks lack genuine highs. #SalamAnali is a breather, if not a banger. Second half will have to deliver big to make up for it, and the real high moment is yet to arrive.

— NTR makes his entry in War2 around the 40-minute mark.

– War 2 kicks off with Hrithik’s stylish action sequence in Japan. Stay tuned for the report.

War 2 U.S. Premiere begins at 5.15 PM EST (2.30 AM IST).

War 2 is being pitched as a refreshing prospect, bringing south star NTR into YRF’s prestigious spy franchise. A lot is riding on the film’s success, which will decide the future of this spy universe and NTR‘s Bollywood prospects. Stay tuned for the War 2 movie review.

Cast: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani

Director: Ayan Mukerji
Producer: Aditya Chopra

Screenplay: Shridhar Raghavan
Director of Photography: Benjamin Jasper ACS
Music: Pritam
Sound: Dileep Subramaniam, Ganesh Gangadharan
Background Music: Sanchit Balhara, Ankit Balhara

Story: Aditya Chopra
Editor: Aarif Sheikh
Action Directors: Spiro Razatos, Franz Spilhaus, Anl Arasu, Oh Sea Young, Craig Macrae, Sunil Rodrigues [ROD]
Costume Designers: Anaita Shroff Adajania, Niharika Jolly
Director of Choreography: Bosco Leslie Martis

U.S. Distributor: YRF

War 2 Movie Review by M9