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War 2

13 August 2025Hindi2h 53mPart 2 of the War series
out of 10
Mixedlukewarm or divided
Monk Score · 13 scored reviews · 2 not rated

Spectacular action, hollow story: style wins, substance doesn't.

Verdict tier Mixed, lukewarm or divided, on a scale of Unfavorable, Mixed, Recommended, Exceptional.

  • Praised: action sequences and visual spectacle
  • Criticised: hollow, formulaic, nonexistent story

Audience

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Critic consensus

What 15 critics are saying

Critical reception for War 2 skews negative, with most reviewers finding it a style-over-substance exercise in spectacle. Where praise exists, it is directed at the film's action sequences, visuals, and polished production values, with a handful of critics acknowledging it delivers escapist entertainment for undemanding audiences. The most consistent and pointed criticism across reviews is the story, variously described as hollow, threadbare, formulaic, and nonexistent, with several critics also identifying it as the weakest entry in the YRF Spy Universe. Jr NTR receives isolated individual praise, but the film as a whole is widely seen as a bloated, rudderless star vehicle that prioritises hero worship over coherent storytelling.

How the 13 scores spread

2 not-rated reviews aren't plotted

Positive / mixed / negative reviews

Positive = 6.5/10 and up · negative = below 5/10

AI-generated summary of 15 critic reviews · may contain errors

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From the papers

Critic reviews (15)

Top critics first, then by score · not-rated last · updated

  1. Top critic

    Indian Express

    Film review

    War 2, the sixth instalment of the YRF Spy Universe, is nothing but a glossy snooze-fest. War 2, directed by Ayan Mukherji, is so limp that you are left looking for zing.
  2. Rediff

    Film review

    War 2 offers you exactly what you'd expect from a mass entertainer: some escapist fun, truly knockout action scenes, and overall, a good time at the movies. There's no better theatrical experience when a well-made masala film delivers on its promises.
  3. Times Of India

    Film review

    War 2 offers high-octane moments, striking visuals, and polished production to make for a passable big-screen experience. Strictly watchable only if you’re in it purely for the action and spectacle.
  4. TimesNowNews

    Film review ·

    War 2, directed by Ayan Mukerji and starring Hrithik Roshan, Jr NTR, and Kiara Advani, is a twisted yet slow spy thriller where Hrithik Roshan dominates and Jr NTR impresses.
  5. Firstpost

    Film review ·

    War 2 is not the end, we have more films in the spy universe coming in. One happens to be Alpha and then what not. Shah Rukh Khan once rightly said in an interview, only the dead have seen the end of War
  6. KoiMoi

    Film review

    The story is threadbare, and this brings down all the cosmetic high. The plot is more twisted than several corkscrews put together, and while a naam ke liye story is the funda behind most action extravaganzas, it is a superficial and, in fact, hollow yarn this time. War 2 seems to have been made just to cash in.
  7. News18

    Film review

    War 2 is all style and no ammo. The template is so formulaic that War 2 emerges as a jaded, done-to-death, globetrotting actioner. The story is thin, not lean in a sleek way, but hollow in a 'was there a draft two?' kind of way.
  8. PinkVilla

    Film review ·

    War 2 is a visual spectacle with a strong cast, great music, and a few exciting moments. But the bland story and lack of gripping conflict hold it back. War 2, at the end of the day, is style over substance.
  9. Bollywood Hungama

    Film review ·

    WAR 2 emerges as the weakest film of the YRF Spy Universe. At the box office, it may ride the advantage of the long weekend initially, but sustaining momentum beyond that will be an uphill task.
  10. Deccan Herald

    Film review ·

    Ayan Mukerji's *War 2* disappoints with poor writing, miscast roles, and over-the-top action, making it the weakest entry in YRF's Spy Universe.
  11. Hindustan Times

    Film review ·

    Directed by Ayan Mukerji, it features Hrithik Roshan and NTR Jr in a spy drama that struggles with a convoluted plot.
  12. India Today

    Film review ·

    ...is more like a travel brochure tirelessly shot for three hours. The only real mission is to save the story, but how can you save something that doesn't exist?
  13. NDTV

    Film review ·

    This sequel takes the viewers on a journey to at least 10 countries, stuffing episodes from the six of them in the post credits
  14. The Hindu

    Film review ·

    Ayan Mukerji's sequel to War gives the same feeling of a recycled product that shines. It starts with a bang but soon becomes a rudderless star vehicle. In the race to populate the spy universe, screenwriters have compromised on substance, indulging in hero worship and flag-waving to pass the box office test.

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