A few years have passed since the last really fun entry in the Yash Raj Spy Universe, Bollywood’s star-studded approximation of a Desi-fied, Marvel Cinematic Universe-type franchise. “Tiger Zinda Hai,” led by series fixture Salman Khan, boasts a well-balanced combination of light-hearted action and romance, combined with a level of patience and technical polish that made it easy to get lost in the series’ corny, saber-rattling antics. The other movies in the Yash Raj Spy Universe have ranged from dull to outright embarrassing, as in Shah Rukh Khan’s unfortunate comeback vehicle “Pathaan.”
“War 2” follows “War,” the only would-be tentpole riser that seemed to warrant a sequel given the palpable tension between that movie’s co-leads, Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff. Roshan, who went from that earlier movie’s villain to its secret hero, takes the lead in this superior sequel, taking on both his Telugu-language speaking co-star N.T. Rama Rao Jr. and a Spectre-like criminal organization led by terrorists from India’s bordering neighbors, including China, Myanmar, and Pakistan.
The main difference between this new maxi-sized crowd-pleaser and the last few is a matter of degrees. Here, the filmmakers know exactly what kind of movie their audience wants and have a better-than-average plan to deliver it. You say you want more bromantic chemistry, over-the-top action, and flamboyant, logic-defying plot twists? “War 2” delivers all of that.
Series writer Shridhar Raghavan also does a fine job of developing the rivalry between mercenary-turned-secret-agent Kabir (Roshan) and his indomitable adversary, Vikram (Rao Jr.). Normally, you have to wait until after the post-intermission break for enemies to become friends and declare their loyalty to each other with a song and dance. “War 2” gives you that musical number (and not a bad one at that) well ahead of schedule, even though you still have to wait until after the mid-movie break to learn about Vikram’s mysterious past.
The plot, as illogical and inconsequential as it may be, begins after Kabir is forced to execute his former mentor, Colonel Luthra (Ashutosh Rana), on behalf of KALI, a powerful terrorist organization that seems to exist to destroy India. Before Kabir does the deed, he remembers the selfless values that Luthra taught him, which conveniently boil down to a nationalistic mantra: “India first!” After that, Kabir gets chased by Kavya (Kiara Adani), the Colonel’s understandably vexed daughter, and Vikram, who swiftly eclipses Kavya. Without spoiling much, let’s just say that an uneasy and unexpected alliance forms right before KALI gives Kabir his next task: execute the family members of Defense Minister Sarang (Varun Badola). A cascade of double crosses ensues.
A relatively sharp and well-proportioned focus on cornball drama makes all the difference in “War 2”, from Luthra and Kabir’s well-balanced heart-to-heart dialogue to the post-intermission flashbacks that confirm what you likely suspect about Kabir and Vikram—they’re childhood frenemies!
Nothing about “War 2”’s scenario feels fresh, but that seems weirdly fitting given that the movie, like Roshan and Rao, seems to hail from a relatively untroubled and fairly recent past. “War 2” is certainly more visually impressive than most Bollywood star vehicles from the mid-to-late 2000s, but it’s not more sophisticated. That’s okay, though, since “War 2” also has car and boat chases that aren’t over-edited to death, as well as computer graphics to compensate for certain industrial limitations. Better yet, there’s no dissembling about the homo-erotic chemistry between Rosh and Rao’s character, especially not after Vikram declares his instant liking of Roshan in a crowded Spanish mall. There’s also a heated car chase that feels like a cross between “The Da Vinci Code” and “Mission: Impossible—Fallout,” as well as a thrilling boat chase that takes some unexpected turns.
One of the surest signs of “War 2”’s quality can be found in its most underwhelming fight scenes. The movie’s big climax, set in an ice cave that brings to mind “Batman and Robin,” provides a satisfying payoff to Rao and Roshan’s sudsy tension. And while the opening fight scene feels like the worst kind of throwback—Roshan fights an army of ninjas in Japan!—it does continue to escalate until its cringey setup no longer matters as much as the fact that Roshan fights three groups of swordsmen. What a relief to see Roshan headline another satisfying vehicle after “Fighter,” last year’s surprisingly entertaining “Top Gun” rip-off, even if “War 2”’s jingoism is just as disquieting. Rao’s a decent foil for Roshan, too.
Like a number of standout sequels and star vehicles, “War 2” succeeds not by breaking with established formulas, but by doing more to fill them out. Past experience suggests that the filmmakers won’t be able to sustain this movie’s for-the-cheap-seats charms in future sequels, but I look forward to being proven wrong.
