War 2 Movie Review & Rating: The latest chapter in the YRF Spy Universe, War 2, starring Hrithik Roshan as the rogue spy Kabir, sets an ambitious stage with a high-stakes mission. Yet, the real challenge—keeping audiences hooked—proves insurmountable.
Joined by Jr NTR as Vikram and Kiara Advani as Kavya, the film promises action and intrigue but delivers a lackluster experience that struggles to ignite excitement. Directed by Ayan Mukerji, this sixth installment, released just yesterday on August 14, 2025, feels more like a glossy rerun than a fresh spy thriller.
From the opening scene, where Kabir storms a Japanese dojo, slashing and punching through a sea of costumed foes, the film hints at trouble. The action, while visually polished, lacks originality, leaving viewers zoning out rather than cheering. Hrithik Roshan, returning as Kabir after a six-year gap since the 2019 War, brings his signature charisma and physicality—one man against a legion of enemies. But even his efforts can’t salvage a script that feels like a patchwork of borrowed ideas. For a deeper dive into spy genre trends, check our analysis of action cinema.
A Familiar Yet Flat Spy Saga
The film’s early sequences echo classics like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon with its sword-wielding fighters and John Wick with a CGI dog that shifts from snarling to snuggling with Kabir. The much-hyped dance-off between Kabir and Vikram, intended to mirror the iconic War duet with Tiger Shroff, falls flat. Jr NTR, stepping into Bollywood with hopes of pan-India appeal, matches Hrithik’s moves with diligence, but the chemistry lacks the electric Naatu Naatu vibe from RRR. Despite Hrithik’s limber performance, the routine choreography drains the scene of energy.
The plot follows Kabir, guided by his mentor Colonel Luthra (Ashutosh Rana), infiltrating a shadowy syndicate called Kalki—allegedly representing Pakistan, China, and beyond. The action spans helicopters, ocean dives, and snowy chases, yet the melodrama injected between these stunts feels forced and saccharine. It’s as if the film can’t decide between being a gritty spy tale or a sentimental bromance, leaving both aspects underdeveloped. If Trump’s tariffs had influenced the timeline, one might jokingly add the US to Kalki’s roster!
Missed Opportunities and Underutilized Talent
Jr NTR, fresh off RRR’s global success, seems to miss the dynamic synergy he shared with Ram Charan, resulting in a subdued performance. Kiara Advani’s Kavya, an army officer, is relegated to a peripheral role, her potential squandered in a film dominated by male bravado. Anil Kapoor, as a fit and firing RAW chief, gets a fleeting moment with a Animal-style machine gun, but it’s not enough to salvage the narrative. The cast’s talent is evident, yet the script fails to give them room to shine. For more on Bollywood casting trends, visit our movie industry insights.
The original War, directed by Siddharth Anand, had its moments of freshness, with Hrithik’s golden locks and sunlit action sequences standing out. Anand later hit the mark with Pathaan, blending Shah Rukh Khan’s wounded charisma with a playful tone that resonated. War 2, under Mukerji’s direction, misses that balance, leaning too heavily on spectacle without substance. The film’s limp pace leaves you craving the zing that fleeting post-credit scenes—hinting at future installments with this duo and Alpha featuring Bobby Deol and Alia Bhatt—tease but don’t deliver.
Technical Aspects and Reception
Visually, War 2 is a feast, with exotic locations and high-budget action choreography. The cinematography captures the grandeur, but the editing feels disjointed, with action sequences lacking rhythm. Pritam’s soundtrack, including the much-talked-about dance number, fails to leave a mark, a stark contrast to the original’s Jai Jai Shiv Shankar. The VFX, while ambitious, occasionally falters, particularly in the CGI dog scene, pulling viewers out of the immersion.
Early reactions on X suggest mixed feelings. Fans praise Hrithik’s screen presence and the action scale, with posts like “Hrithik owns every frame!” Yet, many echo the review’s sentiment, calling it “a snooze-fest with recycled ideas.” The film’s 2-hour-50-minute runtime amplifies the fatigue, making the post-credit teases—featuring the duo’s return and Alpha’s debut—the only highlights. For live updates, check our movie reviews section.
Verdict and Rating
War 2 aims for a pan-India spectacle but stumbles with a predictable plot and undercooked characters. Hrithik and Jr NTR deliver physically, but the story lacks the innovation to match their talent. Kiara and Anil are wasted, and the spy universe feels overstretched. At 1.5 stars, it’s a disappointing addition to the franchise, saved only by its visual polish and future promises. Will Alpha redeem the saga? Only time will tell.
Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Jr NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana, Anil Kapoor, Varun Badola
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Rating: 1.5/5