Fighter Movie Review

Plot

Fighter tells the story of Squadron Leader Shamsher Pathania, a skilled Indian Air Force pilot, who must navigate between making poor decisions and rescuing a fellow colleague from the clutches of a dangerous enemy. The plot heavily focuses on the conflict between India and Pakistan, but unfortunately falls into predictable tropes and lacks genuine attempts to explore the geopolitical context and consequences. This leads to an excessive amount of Pakistan bashing, making the film superficial and lacking in thrills.

Acting

The performances in Fighter are commendable. Hrithik Roshan shines as Shamsher Pathania, exuding charm and intensity with his impressive action sequences and striking green eyes. Deepika Padukone delivers a convincing performance as Minal Rathore, showcasing her talent beyond just her glamorous appearance. Anil Kapoor displays his acting prowess in his role as Commanding Officer Rakesh Jai Singh, portraying the character's irritation and frustration with authenticity. The supporting cast, including Karan Singh Grover and Akshay Oberoi, also deliver solid performances.

Cinematography

Fighter boasts stunning visuals, thanks to the exceptional cinematography by Satchith Paulose. The film captures breathtaking locales and snow-capped mountains, creating a visually stunning experience. Paulose's attention to detail and use of slow-motion shots add to the film's beauty and grandeur.

Direction

Siddharth Anand, known for his glossy and stylish films, brings his signature aesthetic to Fighter. While the film's visuals and action sequences are impressive, Anand falls short in storytelling and character development. The plot is predictable, and the dialogues by Hussain and Abbas Dalal are average at best. However, Anand manages to keep the audience engaged with a well-paced screenplay, especially during the captivating aerial combat scenes.

Conclusion

Despite its flaws, Fighter offers an entertaining experience, particularly for fans of Hrithik Roshan and Bollywood war dramas. The performances, especially from Roshan, Padukone, and Kapoor, elevate the film, and the cinematography adds to its visual appeal. However, the lack of originality in the plot and the excessive focus on Pakistan bashing detract from the overall experience. Fighter is a film that tries to soar to great heights, but ultimately falls short of its potential.