Baaghi 4 Movie Review

Plot

Baaghi 4, the latest installment in the popular action franchise, embarks on a convoluted journey that revolves around the character Ronny, portrayed by Tiger Shroff. Following a catastrophic car accident, Ronny awakens from a coma, carrying with him the haunting memories of his girlfriend Alisha, played by Harnaaz Sandhu. The story unfolds with Ronny grappling with hallucinations and the blurred lines between reality and his tragic fantasy. Despite his brother Jeetu (Shreyas Talpade) and other characters insisting that Alisha is a mere figment of his imagination, Ronny remains fixated on their love story.

The film attempts a non-linear narrative, jumping from Ronny's surreal experiences to reality, where large-scale action sequences reign supreme. But instead of creating intrigue, the plot feels overstuffed with characters and subplots that ultimately detract from the central storyline. The first half primarily focuses on establishing backstory—including a new love interest, Olivia (Sonam Bajwa), who enters the fray to help Ronny move on—while interspersing intense action sequences to keep audiences engaged. Unfortunately, the second act unravels as it shifts between characters and convoluted plot twists without meaningful resolution.

At its core, Baaghi 4 is riddled with clichés and recycled tropes. The villain, Chacko (Sanjay Dutt), emerges rather late in the film, along with his equally bizarre brother, Paulo (Saurabh Sachdeva). The relationship dynamics between Ronny and his brother Jeetu also feel underexplored, resulting in a lack of emotional resonance when they attempt to address Ronny’s deteriorating mental state. One can’t help but notice the absence of clarity in the storytelling and the development of secondary characters, leaving an impression that the film is more focused on action and visual impact rather than a coherent and engaging narrative. Despite shoving emotional themes down the audience’s throats, the execution fails to connect with viewers and leaves them feeling adrift amid the chaos.

As the plot meanders with redundant dialogues and unnecessary complications, we can't help but wonder whether the filmmakers were more interested in showcasing extravagant action sequences than telling a compelling story about love and redemption. Ultimately, Baaghi 4 would benefit from a stronger script that aligns better with its grand ambitions. With all of its fractured storytelling and lack of character depth, the narrative raises questions more than it answers, making viewers feel confused rather than entertained.

Acting

Tiger Shroff’s performance as Ronny stands out in a film riddled with mediocrity. His physicality and presence are commendable, highlighting the intense action sequences and his capacity for emotional depth when necessary. Shroff embodies the superhero persona well, delivering dialogue with firm conviction despite the flimsy script. His ability to transition from a man suffering mental trauma to an action hero is a testament to his dedication, but ultimately the material weighs him down.

Harnaaz Sandhu as the lost love Alisha carries her role with confidence yet struggles to leave a lasting impression due to the lack of character development. She is beautiful and charming but remains underutilized, serving primarily as Ronny’s haunting memory rather than a fully fleshed-out character. The same can be said for Sonam Bajwa, who plays Olivia, a character whose purpose seems to revolve around unreciprocated affection, yet she manages to imbue some levity into the script, albeit inconsistently.

Shreyas Talpade, cast as Ronny’s brother Jeetu, adds a layer of frustration to the plot. His attempts to reach out to Ronny often feel forced, as the relationship lacks the necessary emotional depth to resonate with audiences. Meanwhile, Sanjay Dutt, as the main antagonist Chacko, delivers a performance devoid of menace and charm, opting instead for a lackadaisical approach that detracts from the character’s intended threat. His late entrance into the film allows for minimal character development, leaving him as a generic villain rather than a formidable foe.

Supporting roles played by Upendra Limaye and Sudesh Lahiri attempt comic relief but fall flat, often feeling out-of-place amid the overwhelming action. The movie perpetuates a sense of toxic masculinity, with male characters dominating the narrative while the female characters are relegated to secondary roles. This trend illustrates an unfortunate pattern across the franchise where women’s contributions remain overshadowed by the glorification of male aggression.

In summary, while the acting performances vary in levels of effectiveness, they are ultimately hampered by underdeveloped characters and a narrative that fails to provide them with adequate substance. The film boasts a strong lead performance but ultimately leaves audiences yearning for more nuance and depth from the cast as a whole.

Cinematography

Baaghi 4 features a mix of spectacular visuals and chaos, driven largely by elaborate action choreography. The cinematography successfully captures the relentless, kinetic energy of the fight sequences, often pushing the boundaries of what is visually possible. Action director Venkat along with the stunt team weave together sequences that are beautifully staged, blending slow-motion shots with fast-paced editing that heightens the impact of Ronny's battles against hordes of goons. The film appears lavish, depicting its action scenes with a grandeur that is likely to thrill action aficionados.

However, the film's visual appeal is sometimes compromised by the overwhelming use of CGI elements, which make certain sequences feel detached from reality. The over-the-top action, while entertaining, often stretches the limits of plausibility, causing viewers to step back from the immersive experience that cinema strives to provide. For instance, moments where Ronny breaks chains and withstands a barrage of bullets reveal a striking disconnect between realism and the heightened action narrative. While it showcases Tiger Shroff’s physical prowess, it also raises questions about the film’s overall believability.

The color palette swings between vibrant hues and darker tones effectively, enhancing the emotional flair of pivotal moments. Furthermore, the costume design emphasizes the exaggerated nature of the characters, especially in the climactic sequences where armies of men in striking costumes engage in large-scale battles. Actors are garbed in elaborate attire, yet the design choices sometimes land on the side of ludicrous rather than intimidating, diluting their impact as formidable foes.

Moments intended to depict psychological struggles are sometimes illustrated through surreal sequences that turn jarring and visually chaotic. These artistic decisions may leave viewers puzzled rather than engaged, as transitions between reality and hallucinations blur vividly without clarity. While artistic flair often enlivens the viewing experience, in Baaghi 4, it risks alienating audiences who desire a more coherent execution of visual storytelling.

In summary, while Baaghi 4 showcases notable visual flair and exhilarating action choreography, it ultimately suffers from an excess of visual gimmicks at the cost of coherence. The cinematography and special effects may satisfy adrenaline junkies, yet the overall visual narrative could benefit from more thoughtful execution to maintain audience engagement beyond just spectacle.

Direction

Under the direction of A. Harsha, Baaghi 4 aims to deliver an action-packed, pulse-pounding experience, yet falls woefully short on multiple fronts. Having made a name for himself with hit films in Kannada and Telugu cinema, Harsha's transition to Bollywood begins with an ambitious but poorly executed project characterized by excessive ambition and a lack of focus. While the action choreography receives commendable attention, the storytelling and character development can only be described as haphazard.

Harsha’s directorial choices tend to overemphasize action sequences while neglecting the necessary pacing and relevance of plot progression. The film shifts from heart-pounding action to seemingly unrelated subplots that disrupt viewer engagement. It becomes apparent that the script is undercooked, with hardly any substance or intrigue interspersed between valorous battles. Harsha appears to favor spectacle over storytelling with each scene transitioning into yet another explosion or fight, leaving viewers fatigued by sensory overload.

Additionally, the film’s structure reflects a muddled attempt at parallel storytelling. By floating between Ronny’s hallucinations and his reality, it results in a narration that lacks clear direction, pulling the audience in multiple directions without meaningful resolution. The intent behind this approach to create tension and mystery is evident, yet the execution delivers nothing beyond a sense of confusion and dissatisfaction. With characters that barely evolve, the direction fails to instill any emotional stakes.

Harsha does succeed in visualizing the magnificent action sequences, yet rather ironically, the film illustrates the potential of a good idea overshadowed by excessive violence and poor scripting. As a culmination of various influences and themes, the failure to weave them into a cohesive and impactful narrative ultimately renders the direction ineffective. The substantial dialogue declares how “torture is just a warm-up” for Ronny, yet a sense of fatigue grows within the audience as they endure the bombardment of violence without meaningful character arcs to lend context.

In conclusion, while A. Harsha brings ambition to Baaghi 4, the film is shackled by a lack of clarity and emotional depth in its direction. The potential for a gripping action film is lost in the chaos, rendering the fourth installment an exhausting experience instead of an engaging cinematic journey.

Conclusion

Baaghi 4 sets out to continue the legacy of its predecessors with a promising ambition to blend action, romance, and drama, but ultimately stumbles over its execution and narrative coherence. While it delivers on adrenaline-fueled sequences filled with striking visuals, the lack of a compelling script and in-depth character arcs detracts from the overall experience. With chaotic pacing and muddled storytelling, the film rarely allows audiences a moment to breathe or delve deeper into its characters’ emotional journeys.

Tiger Shroff undoubtedly shines in his role, yet even he cannot salvage a film hampered by excessive violence and a shallow plot. The supporting cast fails to make a lasting impact due to the underdevelopment of their roles, rendering them mere spectators to Ronny’s turmoil. While the cinematography captures the film's ambition, it risks overshadowing narrative clarity in favor of visual spectacle. The directorial choices, emphasizing action over substance, further alienate viewers yearning for character-driven storytelling.

Ultimately, Baaghi 4 reiterates the franchise's penchant for glorified violence without meaningful character exploration, leaving audiences exhausted and bewildered rather than exhilarated. The question remains: can a franchise built on action powerful enough to satisfy a young audience succeed if it fails to deliver a robust narrative and emotional depth? As a standalone film, Baaghi 4 may entertain in fleeting moments, but it is unlikely to establish itself as a memorable entry in the action genre. A stronger foundation in storytelling could transform this series into something genuinely extraordinary, but for now, it remains entrapped in a cycle of excessive spectacle without substance.