The movie is a treat to watch, given the jingoistic and chauvinistic mood of the country, on the even of Republic Day. However, the picturisation and videography is not something that excites you.
Iraq invading Kuwait with four tanks and two helicopters that look like straight out of the video game Project-IGI, is perhaps the only war scene.
The exodus of 1.5 lakh refugees is shown in just 1 school bus and around 15 cars. Three soldiers are shown vandalizing one small ATM. Burning tires, dismantled cars, smouldering buildings, and looted shops are the sole depiction of barbarism. People are put on gun point, every now and then, but hardly shot at; and even if they are, with a lot of humanity.
The war scene has been very poorly depicted with little or no visual effects at all. The soldiers are shown acting in funny, feeble, and creepy ways. A lot more ruggedness and robustness is expected from the scenes in a war-torn country.Though expected to be a thriller, there is no action or suspense at all, in the movie, but more of narrative.
The dialogues are however well-timed and motivating. Hardly is any airlift or rescue operation on the Indian side, depicted in the movie, except for an Air India flight taking off. The lifting of the Tricolour at Amman Queen Alia International Airport in Jordan, is the most stunning moment.
Given that the script comes straight out of the History book, it does the job of story-telling quite well. Akshay Kumar’s acting prowess makes up for every short-coming in the movie. It’s definitely worth your money and time for a one-time watch.