War 2, the sequel to the highly successful War and the next film in the Yash Raj Films’ Spy Universe, carries the story forward from the end of the first film but it also doesn’t. Actually, it doesn’t appear like a continuation of the first film, although the makers want us to believe so. Hence, the actual war is fought by the audience to try and decode what the film is about.
So, at that start of War 2, which is directed by Ayan Mukerji, we are told that one of the best R&AW (Research and Analysis Wing) officers Kabir (Hrithik Roshan) has gone rogue and there is absolutely no major reason given for the same. We expect to be told Kabir’s back story later which led him to take such an extreme step against his agency and country but that never happens.
Kabir has now started working as a ‘freelancer’ (yes, that’s how he describes his current profession) to assassinate people across the world for various clients. In order to stop Kabir, the new R&AW chief Vikrant Kaul (Anil Kapoor) gets their tough officer Vikram (Jr. NTR) to finish him off. In between all of this, Kabir’s equation with Colonel Luthra’s soldier daughter Kavya (Kiara Advani) changes after what he does to her father, who considered him as his son.
The main crux of the so-called story is the war between Kabir and Vikram. At least, this is what it seems like at the start. But the two get involved in strange games. They are sometimes against each other, sometimes not. There are times when they are against India, sometimes with India, either together or individually. Even Nitish Kumar doesn’t switch sides so often.
This makes War 2 is one of the most confusing films to have come in a long time. The confusion starts at the end of the first half and goes onto another level in the second half. By this time, you literally give up in trying to understand the motto of the two protagonists and the film.
Some of the action sequences are impressive but there are just too many of them. In fact, the fights and stunts become an overdose in the first half itself!
War 2 also features a secret society named ‘Kali’ which is formed by powerful individuals from different countries, like India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, China, Russia, etc. They are shown to be ‘running’ the world, which appears as easy as running Gokuldham Society. Also, why would India and Pakistan agree to be on the same side in this weird mission? Their aim is not even established or explained properly, just like many other things in the film.
The performances are just about fine. Hrithik Roshan and Jr. NTR share a good chemistry needed in a two-hero film. They are up-to-the-task when it comes to action but the content doesn’t let them display their acting potential. Kiara Advani is decent while depicting emotions and better when it comes to action. Ashutosh Rana and Anil Kapoor are the best of the lot. Varun Badola is good in a cameo.
The other saving grace is the choice of exotic international locations.
But these are just a couple of green patches in an otherwise barren land. Overall, War 2 has turned out to be much worse than what the trailer indicated.
Rating: 1.5 out of 5
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Producer: Aditya Chopra for Yash Raj Films
Writers: Aditya Chopra, Shridhar Raghavan and Abbas Tyrewala
Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Jr. NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana, Anil Kapoor
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