Fighter review: Hrithik Roshan-Deepika Padukone's film soars despite struggling with formulaic turbulence
Team OTTplay
Jan 25, 2024
Introduction
In Fighter, Hrithik Roshan leads a stellar cast of IAF aviators battling impending peril. The film promises an adrenaline-pumping experience with elite aerial combat and a storyline that delves into bonds, fraternity, and struggles.
Unexpected surprise
The film defies the intense jingoistic tone suggested by the trailer with its balanced blend of calm and storm. The film unfolds as a counter-terrorism drama, skillfully navigating through its plot twists.
Unmasking the threat
Fighter quickly unravels the plot, revealing a terrorist without nationality finding refuge in a Pakistani air base. The narrative jumps back and forth between 2018 and 2019, providing insight into the Pulwama attacks and the subsequent events.
Aerial action unleashed
The film's first half dazzles with exhilarating aerial combat sequences, showcasing the Indian Air Force's response to the Pulwama attack and the ensuing border skirmishes. The action steals the spotlight, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats.
Love amidst chaos
While Hrithik and Deepika's love story offers a brief distraction, it skillfully avoids overshadowing the film's main mission. Siddharth Anand ensures that the romantic subplot complements rather than detracts from the intense narrative.
Emotional depth and patriotism
Anil Kapoor's portrayal of a stern commanding officer adds emotional depth to Fighter. The film successfully invokes patriotism, drawing parallels to iconic Bollywood films like Rang De Basanti and Uri: The Surgical Strike.
Stellar performances
Hrithik Roshan, Deepika Padukone, and supporting cast members Karan Singh Grover and Akshay Oberoi deliver stellar performances. The characters' emotional struggles, portrayed behind the mask in intense aerial sequences, keep the audience engaged.
Cliched plot with compelling action
Despite a predictable and cliche plot, Fighter compensates with its breathtaking aerial action sequences. The magnificence of the fighter planes and the intensity of the combat overshadow the film's shortcomings.
Verdict
Fighter is a mixed bag—while it follows a formulaic counter-terrorism drama, the film's action-packed sequences and patriotic undertones manage to captivate viewers. A visual treat with moments of emotional depth, Fighter soars, albeit with a few bumps along the way.