‘War 2’ movie review: Hrithik Roshan, Jr NTR’s chemistry elevates this predictable, yet intriguing tale

If there’s one thing an action film must deliver, it’s relentless, adrenaline-pumping thrills, and ‘War 2’, directed by Ayan Mukerji, delivers well on that front. The film nails the high-octane, ‘Mission: Impossible’-style action sequences. But for all its pulse-pounding stunts, it falters badly in one crucial area: the visual effects. The computer-generated imagery (CGI) is jarringly subpar, often looking as if it were lifted straight from a dated video game. Why risk undercutting a solid story with visuals that feel so unfinished?

Hrithik Roshan returns as Kabir, the enigmatic rogue RAW agent, in a sequel that raises the stakes both emotionally and politically. This time, a far more dangerous terrorist organisation threatens the very core of power in India, and Kabir finds himself at the epicentre of the storm.

While ‘War’ left audiences questioning Kabir’s true loyalties, ‘War 2’ brings both clarity and conflict with the introduction of Vikram Chelapathy (Jr NTR), a steely RAW operative tasked with hunting him down. What follows is a gripping game of cat and mouse, layered with tension and betrayal, with a neatly fleshed-out backstory — though it does get predictable in parts. The film’s length also weighs down the viewing experience.

If Tiger Shroff brought spellbinding action and dance moves to the table in ‘War’, Jr NTR replaces those with his towering screen presence in the sequel, which also boasts a tighter narrative than some of Bollywood’s recent spy-action outings, including ‘Pathaan’. While Jr NTR may not match Tiger’s grace when he dances opposite Bollywood heartthrob Hrithik Roshan, their chemistry together feels fresher than in the predecessor.

For his Bollywood debut, Jr NTR gets ample screen time, sharing the spotlight with Kiara Advani, Anil Kapoor, Vaani Kapoor, and Ashutosh Rana. Following his powerful turn in ‘RRR’, NTR makes a strong impression with a commanding introduction scene and impactful action sequences.

However, Kiara Advani’s character is a major letdown. Introduced as Colonel Luthra’s (Ashutosh Rana) daughter — a decorated officer recognised for her bravery — she is given limited screen presence. Unlike Deepika Padukone in ‘Pathaan’ or Priyanka Chopra in ‘Heads of State’, both of whom carried significant action weight, Kiara is sidelined for much of the film.

While ‘War 2’ lacks genuine shock value in its plot twists, the narrative stays engaging enough to keep viewers hooked. Thankfully, it avoids the excessive over-the-top elements of ‘War’ that could have derailed its tone.

Pritam Chakraborty’s music elevates the cinematic experience, even if the soundtrack doesn’t offer particularly memorable tracks. The car chase set in Spain stands out as one of the film’s most thrilling and visually striking moments.