WAR 2 (2025) [Movie Review]: A Spy Saga Dressed in Spectacle

WAR 2, the latest entry in YRF’s spy universe directed by Ayan Mukerji, is a blockbuster built to stun. The premise pits Hrithik Roshan’s enigmatic ex-agent Kabir against N.T. Rama Rao Jr.’s righteous Special Units officer Vikram as a globe-spanning conspiracy threatens national security. With a roster that includes Kiara Advani, Anil Kapoor and Ashutosh Rana, the film aims for grandiosity — and for long stretches it achieves pure, breathless spectacle. But beneath the polished surfaces the story frequently loses traction.

Direction & Screenplay

Stylized direction, shaky narrative structure

Ayan Mukerji handles the action confidently, but the screenplay from Aditya Chopra, Shridhar Raghavan and Abbas Tyrewala lacks a steady emotional or logical centre. Abrupt flashbacks and sudden twists intrude throughout, weakening rather than clarifying the characters’ motivations. The film’s near three-hour runtime allows for ambitious set pieces, but the payoff for many plot setups feels thin — a recurring issue when spectacle is favoured over storycraft.

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Action, Cinematography & VFX

Daring stunts, inconsistent technical polish

Visually the film registers: Benjamin Jasper’s cinematography and a stunt team led by Spiro Razatos, Se-yeong Oh and Sunil Rodrigues deliver sequences that are audacious in scale — from high-speed train melees to alpine duels and airborne confrontations. These moments are the movie’s main currency. Still, technical weaknesses — uneven VFX, occasional compositing errors and visible stunt-double work — occasionally puncture immersion, leaving some scenes feeling less seamless than intended.

Performances

Star power carries the leaner scenes

Hrithik Roshan infuses Kabir with roguish magnetism and a weathered centre, effortlessly anchoring the film’s physical and quieter moments. Junior NTR provides a muscular and intense foil, matching Roshan’s screen energy and lending credibility to the confrontation-driven beats. Kiara Advani creates a memorable presence despite limited scope, while veterans Anil Kapoor and Ashutosh Rana add necessary gravitas. Supporting cast members add texture but are underused in service of the action-first mandate.

Pacing & Tone

Momentum in bursts, lag in between

The movie peaks whenever it leans into kinetic set pieces, but between these peaks the narrative drifts. Repeated attempts at surprise and complexity dilute tension rather than build it, and the middle-to-late stretch sags as plot threads multiply without satisfying resolution. For viewers craving a tight, intelligent spy thriller, the tonal imbalance will be frustrating.

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Verdict

Watchable for spectacle, disappointing for substance

WAR 2 is an audience-pleaser if your appetite is pure adrenaline: large-scale choreography, charismatic leads and glossy production values make it an occasion film. As a sequel in the YRF spy universe, however, it disappoints where nuance and narrative coherence matter most. Recommended only if you’re there for the thrills — otherwise, the film’s style often outshouts its substance.

Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ (3 out of 5)