May contain spoilers..
War 2 – IMAX Viewing Thoughts
Just walked out of War 2 on the biggest screen possible, and here’s the verdict: it’s a better film than War 1, stronger than Pathaan, and easily above Fighter. The surprise is not the scale but how well it all comes together.
The headline? Hrithik and NTR Jr’s chemistry is electric. Forget the chatter about screen time or doubts about whether they’d click — the two of them not only work, they lean into each other so much that, at times, it feels like the camera caught them making bedroom eyes. It’s playful, sharp, and feels genuine. What also stands out is how often NTR Jr ends up overshadowing Hrithik. Not by accident, not by edit — he simply brings such presence that he owns more of the movie than people are claiming.
The sequences:
Japan opener (Hrithik): Ice-cold, stylish, and a proper big-screen moment. Perfectly cut visuals.
Spain + Train (NTR Jr): This was the shoot that caused unnecessary controversy at the time, but onscreen it works — the VFX and stunt design land, and the train sequence gives NTR Jr a true whistle-worthy “sitti” moment. Yes, the effects wobble right at the end, but until then it’s exhilarating.
First half overall: Rock solid. The pacing and execution make me doubt Ayan Mukerji’s full control here — Brahmāstra was a mess by its midway point, but War 2 never loses grip.
Plane sequence: Angles, choreography, rhythm — all excellent. Again, only the very end suffers from dodgy visuals.
Second half: Opens with a childhood flashback. At first it feels like filler, but it earns its place, adding weight to the character dynamics. What follows — the yacht/Dubai stretch — is the weakest section, with NTR Jr once again given the upper hand.
Song interlude (Hrithik + Kiara, set before War 1): Breezy, glamorous, though side note — Hrithik really doesn’t bother with leg day here.
Davos climax: Cleanly staged, no messy overreach, and satisfying as a payoff.
Overall, War 2 feels like a throwback to the Dhoom era of YRF — popcorn action, built for the biggest possible screen. The difference is that it’s executed with confidence and avoids the tonal drift that sank Brahmāstra. The weak links (a flat yacht sequence, patchy VFX towards the end of big set-pieces) don’t undo the fact that this is slick, entertaining action done right.
It’s rare in this genre for two stars to share the film so fully without one being diminished, but that’s the magic here: Hrithik comfortable enough to let NTR Jr take space, and NTR Jr charismatic enough to lift the entire movie when he does.
Recommendation: Watch it in IMAX if you can. War 2 is made for scale, made for the Dhoom crowd, and it delivers.
