‘War’ Critics Review: Hrithik Shines in This Popcorn Entertainer

The film released in theatres on 2 October.

Film: War

Director: Siddharth Anand

Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Tiger Shroff, Vaani Kapoor

Here’s what critics have to say about War:

War had us at the casting stage. The movie is an action-heavy take on the two-hero Hindi film formula. The story, by director Siddharth Anand and producer Aditya Chopra, the screenplay, by Anand and Sridhar Raghavan, and dialogue, by Abbas Tyrewala, refuse to entertain anything that distracts from the prospect of watching Roshan and Shroff compete for attention. The film is evenly balanced between the actors, with several scenes showcasing their individual fitness levels, ability to command the camera, and terpsichorean talent.

Nandini Ramnath, Scroll

There are some electrifying and astonishingly executed action sequences — in the air, earth, ice and water, and not just on airplanes but flying jeeps too. All of it makes War nifty enough to be in the league of the Bond or Hollywood films and many notches higher than the high profile actioners from Yashraj’s own stable like Ek Tha Tiger and Tiger Zinda Hai.

Namrata Joshi, The Hindu

Every frame bristling with the combined smirk-and-swag of Hrithik-Tiger? Check. Lavish locations all around the world? Present and accounted for. Lots of fast-paced chases? War has all of the above, and yet, it’s in the not quite there zone: not quite smart enough, and most importantly, not quite new enough.

Shubhra Gupta, Indian Express

In War, Siddharth gets a chance to make a film with two of Hindi cinema’s best action heroes but mercifully, he backs the propulsive action with a story. Of course, War is a popcorn entertainer and you can’t ask too many questions. But if you’re willing to suspend disbelief, the twists and turns exert a solid grip. The story, by Siddharth and producer Aditya Chopra and the screenplay by Siddharth and Sridhar Raghavan, borders on silly but it never topples over. The film also offers a trip to all the places you might have on your bucket list – from Kerala to Bondi beach in Australia to Portugal. Each location has been shot like a glossy tourism catalogue by DOP Benjamin Jasper. Umpteen overhead shots underline the scale of the film and the money that was spent.

Anupama Chopra, Film Companion