The eagerly awaited cinematic collaboration of Hrithik Roshan and Jr. NTR in ‘War 2’ generated considerable excitement. Backed by a substantial 400-crore budget and the established YRF Spy Universe, the film raised high expectations among both the makers and the audience. Yet, the premiere on August 14th revealed a gap between promise and delivery, with initial enthusiasm waning.
While the film showcases impressive visuals and action sequences, deficiencies in its narrative, screenplay, and emotional engagement hampered its overall impact. Let’s examine the five critical errors that undermined a high-profile production like ‘War 2.’
1. **Weak and Predictable Narrative:** One of the primary criticisms aimed at ‘War 2’ centers on its weak and formulaic story. Some viewers have described it as prioritizing ‘style over substance.’ The production invested heavily in visually striking action but neglected to establish a compelling narrative foundation. Although the film starts promisingly, the plot slows down and becomes predictable quickly. For example, the climax is largely apparent within the first thirty minutes. Compared to earlier YRF Spy Universe installments, ‘War 2’ lacks innovation, making it challenging for viewers to connect with the story.
2. **Absence of Chemistry between Hrithik and Jr. NTR:** The film’s major selling point was the face-off between Hrithik Roshan and Jr. NTR. Trailers suggested a captivating showdown between the two stars. However, the on-screen chemistry didn’t live up to the hype. The actors did not get adequate screen time together. Furthermore, their interactions and confrontations didn’t create the desired impact.
3. **Poor Visual Effects:** The success of action films hinges on the effectiveness of their action sequences. While some action scenes in ‘War 2’ are praiseworthy, many rely on underwhelming visual effects (VFX). The action on the boat and the fight on the aircraft looked especially unconvincing. These scenes gave the impression of watching a video game instead of a movie.
4. **Slow Pacing and Extended Runtime:** The film’s length also contributed to its shortcomings. ‘War 2’ has a runtime of roughly 170 minutes (2 hours and 50 minutes). The second half slows down considerably, giving the impression that the story was expanded simply to accommodate additional action.
5. **Deficiency in Emotional Connection and Logical Coherence:** Previous YRF Spy Universe films, such as ‘Pathaan’ and ‘Tiger Zinda Hai,’ featured simpler storylines but maintained an emotional core that kept audiences invested. ‘War 2’ clearly lacks this emotional depth. The film favors noise and action over emotional substance. Furthermore, certain parts of the film lacked logic, including scenes that appeared to be included solely for their visual appeal rather than for their contribution to the narrative.