FILM REVIEW: WAR 2 [A High-Decibel Misfire That Fails to Deliver]

A High-Decibel Misfire That Fails to Deliver

Storyline

War 2 picks up in the aftermath of the 2019 hit, attempting to expand the YRF Spy Universe by introducing new agents and global stakes. The narrative revolves around Major Kabir Dhaliwal (Hrithik Roshan) and Agent Vikram (Jr. NTR), who find themselves on opposite sides of a chaotic international conspiracy. However, the plot is so thin and convoluted that it barely holds the film together. Characters hop from one country to another with no clear motivation or logical connection between events. Instead of a tight, gripping thriller, the story plays out like a series of disjointed episodes stitched together with loud music and exotic locations.

Screenplay

The screenplay is arguably the weakest aspect of War 2. It's bloated, uneven, and lacks any real emotional or narrative momentum. The first half trudges along with awkward introductions and expository dialogue, while the second half descends into predictable twists and incoherent pacing. The stakes are never clearly defined, and the film doesn’t bother to build character arcs or relationships. The transitions between scenes are jarring, and the writing often prioritizes style over storytelling.

Music & Background Score

One of the most distracting elements of the film is its overbearing background score. There’s music in nearly every scene, whether it’s needed or not, and instead of elevating emotions or tension, it becomes a constant source of irritation. The songs themselves are forgettable, with one forced dance number that feels like it was included just to tick a commercial checkbox. None of the tracks enhance the film's atmosphere, and the background score often drowns out the already weak dialogues.

Acting

Hrithik Roshan delivers a stylish performance, but the script gives him very little to work with beyond brooding expressions, slow-motion walks, and repetitive action poses. Jr. NTR is sorely underutilized—his character lacks clarity and depth, making it hard to connect with or care about his role in the story. Kiara Advani is reduced to a stereotypical love interest with negligible impact on the plot, while Anil Kapoor phones in a one-note performance that adds little value. The cast has potential, but the poorly written roles do them no favours.

Dialogues

The dialogues are embarrassingly generic, filled with cringeworthy one-liners that seem pulled from a database of outdated action scripts. Attempts at sounding gritty or impactful fall flat, and the characters often speak in clichés rather than conversations. Lines meant to be intense or emotional come across as unintentionally comedic or downright hollow.

Graphics & Visual Effects

Despite a big budget, the visual effects in War 2 are shockingly inconsistent. While some wide shots and set pieces are polished, others—like a laughable boat chase—look poorly rendered and cartoonish. Overuse of CGI undermines any attempt at realism, and the artificial sheen often breaks immersion rather than enhancing it. The film sacrifices authenticity for gloss, and the result is a world that looks fake and feels empty.

Action Sequences

Action is supposed to be the film’s strength, but even here, War 2 disappoints. While there are brief flashes of well-choreographed stunts, most sequences are either over-the-top or dragged out by excessive slow motion. Fights lack weight, chases feel artificial, and gun battles often resemble video game cutscenes more than cinematic spectacle. What could have been thrilling is turned into a style-obsessed montage devoid of excitement or grit.

Verdict

War 2 is a textbook case of style over substance—and even the style feels half-baked. With a flat story, weak screenplay, forgettable music, wasted talent, and uninspired visuals, the film ends up being a bloated, noisy mess that exhausts rather than entertains. Hrithik Roshan and Jr. NTR deserved better. So did the fans of the YRF Spy Universe.

Unless you're a die-hard fan of mindless action with no regard for coherence, this is one sequel you can safely skip.

ONE LINER : A High-Decibel Misfire That Fails to Deliver

Verdict: Overhyped, underwhelming, and utterly forgettable.