The prospect of seeing Hrithik Roshan and Jr. NTR together in ‘War 2’ had moviegoers excited. Backed by a substantial 400-crore budget and the established YRF Spy Universe, the film carried great expectations. Yet, upon its theatrical release on August 14th, the film didn’t quite live up to the hype.
While ‘War 2’ offers visually stunning scenes and action sequences, weaknesses in the story, screenplay, and emotional connection hold it back. Here are five significant issues that affected the film’s overall impact.
1. **A Weak and Predictable Narrative:** The main criticism of ‘War 2’ centers on its weak and predictable plot. Some viewers felt that the film prioritized style over substance. While the production invested in grand action scenes, the core story felt lacking. Although the beginning is promising, the story soon becomes slow and predictable. The climax can be guessed quite early in the film. Compared to previous YRF Spy Universe films, ‘War 2’ lacks a fresh narrative approach, making it difficult for the audience to fully engage.
2. **Lack of On-Screen Chemistry Between Hrithik and Jr. NTR:** The key attraction of the film was the face-off between Hrithik Roshan and Jr. NTR. Trailers suggested a strong rivalry. However, their on-screen chemistry wasn’t as impactful as anticipated. The actors didn’t have enough screen time together. Their interactions and dialogues didn’t connect with the audience.
3. **Poor Quality Visual Effects:** The quality of action sequences is vital for action films. Though some action scenes in ‘War 2’ are well-executed, many are marred by subpar visual effects. The boat action sequence and the fight scene above the plane looked particularly unconvincing. These scenes made the viewing experience feel less cinematic.
4. **Slow Pacing and Extended Runtime:** The film’s length also contributed to its problems. ‘War 2’ runs for approximately 170 minutes, or 2 hours and 50 minutes. The second half of the film suffers from a slow pace, making the narrative feel drawn out to accommodate additional action scenes.
5. **Lack of Emotional Connection and Logical Issues:** Previous YRF Spy Universe films, like ‘Pathaan’ and ‘Tiger Zinda Hai,’ had simple stories, but they succeeded in creating emotional connections with audiences. ‘War 2’ lacks this emotional depth, with action taking precedence over emotional impact. The film also includes some logical inconsistencies, with certain scenes seeming to exist only for their visual appeal rather than their contribution to the story.