Rating: ★★☆☆☆ (2/5)
The much-awaited War 2, starring Hrithik Roshan, Jr NTR, and Kiara Advani, arrives as the sixth film in the ambitious YRF Spy Universe. Directed by Ayan Mukerji, the film was expected to raise the stakes after War (2019) and Pathaan (2023). On paper, it’s a dream package — a rogue agent on an impossible mission, a cross-border threat, and an ensemble cast loaded with star power. Unfortunately, what unfolds is a visually glossy but narratively limp spy thriller that leaves you searching for energy and originality.
The film opens with Kabir (Hrithik Roshan) in Japan, storming a dojo-style mansion in a high-octane combat sequence. But despite the stylish cinematography and expensive set pieces, the action feels derivative — borrowing liberally from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Kill Bill, John Wick, and even the first War. The lack of freshness in the choreography is a constant issue, making it hard for the audience to stay invested. For a film in a franchise known for reinventing action, War 2 ends up repeating familiar beats.
Jr NTR enters the frame as Vikram, a fellow spy whose charisma is undercut by underwhelming writing. While his dance face-off with Hrithik recalls the stylish ‘War’ dance-off with Tiger Shroff, it never matches the infectious energy of Naatu Naatu. Kiara Advani, playing the spirited army officer Kavya, is left with minimal scope to shine — her role is so thinly written that it feels like a token inclusion. Anil Kapoor, as Colonel Luthra, gets a couple of fiery action moments, but they’re fleeting.
What weighs War 2 down most is its melodramatic filler. Between helicopter chases, snowbound sniper sequences, and underwater showdowns, the script inserts heavy-handed emotional beats that stall momentum rather than add depth. The villain, Kalki, is pitched as a multi-front threat representing several hostile nations, but his motivations are muddled, making him less impactful as an antagonist. The pacing stumbles, and by the second half, even the big set pieces start to feel like checkbox moments rather than genuine thrill generators.
Cinematographer Manush Nandan gives the film a polished, globe-trotting look — with exotic locales like Japan, Iceland, and Morocco — but no amount of visual flair can mask the script’s lack of imagination. The music, too, fails to deliver a chartbuster that could have become the film’s cultural hook. In contrast, Pathaan managed to balance over-the-top action with a self-aware, fun tone. Here, everything is played straight but lands flat.
The only sparks come in the closing minutes when teasers for future YRF Spy Universe entries are revealed — including a return for Kabir and Vikram, and the much-hyped Alpha, starring Bobby Deol and Alia Bhatt. These glimpses hint at a more exciting future for the franchise, but as far as War 2 goes, the result is a disappointing chapter that lacks the zing its cast and budget promised.
