War Movie Review {2.5}: Hrithik Roshan & Tiger Shroff starrer is biggest Bollywood opener ever
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If you want to know why a film titled ‘WAR’ gets released on peace-loving Bapu’s Jayanti, your guesses are as good as mine.
After the end credits , as you step outside the cinema hall, the after effects of the film are for everyone to see. In parking lots, engines are fired up for no apparent reason while cars zoom in and out recklessly with Hrithik and Tiger wannabes sitting behind the wheels 😊
One cannot blame them because such is the visual extravaganza with high dose of adrenaline that one gets completely carried away with the razzmatazz of this ’good-looking’ film. Since the film is helmed by big Daddy, Yashraj studios, viewers are taken on a world tour over high Alps to towering Burj Khalifas to frozen Artic waters to the blinding dust storms across deserts…phewwww. Add to it scintillating dance performances, beautiful dames in designer do’s and swashbuckling heroes living an extravagant life in between perilous edge-of-the-seat stunts. All this and more makes WAR an eye-popping proposition.
WAR: The best action film by Bollywood
With a lethal combo of Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff, the film was already a winner on the table. With 154 minutes exclusively dedicated to these fast-paced thrill rides, WAR is by far the best action film by Bollywood standards though one must refrain from comparing it with Mission Impossible (MI) or Fast & Furious series. Jaw-dropping gravity-defying stunts coupled with sleek VFX and neat CGI effects glam up the game for the film.
This ‘espionage drama’ rides high on unexpected twists and turns but not all are easily digestible. Some are plain laughable while few are easily predictable. Kabir ( Hrithik Roshan), an undercover agent, is in charge of training and mentoring his junior, Khalid ( Tiger Shroff). Together they go globe-trotting while busting enemy dens on the way. Things move thick and fast as Kabir is forced to stand up against his own people for some unknown reasons. His wrongful actions bring upon the wrath of beady eyed boss, Ashutosh Rana. The hot chase between cat and mouse begins with Tiger and Hrithik playing hide & seek for 2 and half hours till we have seen all of possibly existing mean machines and hot wheels blowing up in the air.
One is advised to not get into the fact-finding exercise with ‘How-is-it-possible’ or ‘Where -is-the-real-story’ questions because WAR is to be enjoyed with all heart and not dissected via brain. There are loop holes galore but are cleverly camouflaged through genuine bromance and warm yaari-dosti humour. Of course, there are these clichéd yawn-worthy, nation-comes-first dialogues between Ram- Rahim fights… totally unnecessary exercise. One also gets the taste of leftover ‘BANG BANG’ hangover but that can be blamed onto Hrithik’s irresistible charm on his bedazzled fans.
And yes, Vani Kapoor, essaying the role of Kabir’s tiny love interest, vanishes in few milliseconds. Even being a ‘wallflower’ commands more screen time. But we are not complaining since a pair of glistening chiselled bods with impressive abs and biceps are staring down at us from every corner of the screen!!!! Whether they fight, laugh, play or dance, the magic is unmissable.
Only towards the end, one gets utterly restless with never-ending chases and waits for that one mother-of-all-stunts sequence. With not a single dull moment to spare, sometimes this mindless action spectacle is tolerable only and only due to Hrithik’s swaggering presence. Tiger’s robotic responses don’t help either.
The Cast
After giving stupendous performance in SUPER 30, treads all- familiar path of a quintessential Bolly hero. Swagger and style intact, he charms you through his salt pepper hair, wrinkles and crow lines…suffice to say he owns this territory.
Tiger Shroff is literally on roll and is living his dream to act beside his real-life idol. Like a humble protégé, he works within his limits rather then overdoing it. But he surely matches up in energy and efforts with Hrithik in every dept. His fluid dance moves and sharp action wins him precious brownie points.
Ashutosh Rana is an underutilised but a wonderful actor with huge potential. He is repetitive here…all of shouting and screaming SANGHARSH style.
Let’s say, Vaani Kapoor just tags along like a life-saving dingy tied to a large Cruise liner… only too happy to be associated (with this biggie) if not appreciated.
Music wise, Ghungaroo tut gaye is a rehashed and sadly composed ditty while Jay Jay Shiv Shanker is absolutely bhayanker to listen.
Cinematography is top class and contributes in a major major way towards the film.
