War 2 Movie Review
The YRF Spy Universe is back, and this time it brings together two of Indian cinema’s most charismatic stars — Hrithik Roshan and Jr. NTR — for the first time. Directed by Ayan Mukerji, War 2 arrives with huge expectations, promising action, drama, and a larger-than-life spy thriller experience.
Does it deliver? Let’s find out.
Story
Kabir (Hrithik Roshan), once a top RAW agent, has gone rogue and now works as a contract killer, targeting high-profile individuals. At the same time, several powerful nations form a secret alliance called Kali, aiming to destabilise India.
Kali hires Kabir for this mission, believing he’s the perfect man to break RAW and bring the country to its knees. But RAW assigns their own ace agent, Vikram (Jr. NTR), to stop him.
The film’s central mystery revolves around why Kabir betrayed his own country, his past connection with Vikram, and the role of Wing Commander Kavya Luthra (Kiara Advani) in the tangled plot.
What Works
- Dream Casting: The biggest USP of War 2 is undoubtedly its lead pair. Seeing Hrithik Roshan and Jr. NTR share the screen is a treat for action lovers. Their presence alone lifts many scenes.
- Engaging First Half: The opening acts feature well-choreographed action, stylish star introductions, and a thrilling chase sequence. Despite a few average VFX moments, the energy keeps you hooked.
- Interval Twist: The story picks up with a twist before the break, raising curiosity for the second half.
- Performances: Hrithik exudes his trademark style and swag, while Jr. NTR delivers intensity and power. Kiara and Ashutosh Rana do justice to their parts.
What Doesn’t Work
- Routine Setup: The first half, though watchable, feels familiar, almost like a replay of the original War.
- Flat Second Half: The post-interval narrative offers some freshness but lacks truly thrilling or emotional high points.
- Underused Talent: Both leads have layered, grey-shaded roles, but the screenplay doesn’t fully explore the potential.
- Lack of Drama: The story had scope for stronger emotional beats, but the execution is underwhelming, and the big emotional scene at the end comes too late to have a strong impact.
- Cat-and-Mouse Game: The spy vs. spy dynamic needed sharper writing and more tension.
Technical Review
- Music: Pritam’s songs are passable; none stand out as instant chartbusters. The background score by Sanchit and Ankit Balhara is effective during action scenes.
- Action & Choreography: The action set pieces are fun to watch, but given the scale, expectations were higher. The “Salam Anali” song choreography could have been better, especially with two top-tier dancers in the film.
- VFX & Cinematography: The visual effects are better than some recent spy films from YRF but still fall short of global standards. Benjamin Jasper’s cinematography captures the action well in parts.
- Editing & Direction: The pacing could have been tighter. While Ayan Mukerji mounts the film on a grand scale, the storytelling falters in the second half.
Verdict
War 2 is a mixed bag. It’s certainly more watchable than some recent entries in the YRF Spy Universe, thanks to Hrithik Roshan and Jr. NTR’s magnetic screen presence and a few engaging action sequences in the first half.
However, uneven narration, a lack of emotional punch, and a flat second half stop it from becoming the great spy thriller it could have been.
Bottom line: Watch it for the star power and action — but manage your expectations.
