Pathaan Movie Review: Shah Rukh Khan's Comeback Film Is High On Action, Low On Logic
Pathan is all about fast, wild and impossible missions. Patha deserves protection and praise for bringing the ultimate star of our generation, Shah Rukh Khan, to the big screen after four years in a full role. Above all, he wastes no time introducing the man in his honor.
Surrounded by bloodthirsty gunmen like Patta in the movie Zinda Hai, the scene was shot in under 10 minutes, which is a bonus. The film will fittingly complete this epic spy universe previously seen in Salman Khan's Tiger and Hrithik Roshan's Kabir.
Director Siddharth Anand, who directed his previous action films Bang Bang and War, once again presents the characters in very cute avatars, ensuring enough silly moments. From Deepika Padukone's clothes to John Abraham's ripped muscles to Shah Rukh Khan's CGI-enhanced six-pack abs, Pathan has plenty to complain about, even if you don't delve deep into the story or the logic.
It revolves around Pathan (Khan), an ex-soldier turned secret agent on a mission. Abused by his own people, he's back to save the villain from former R&AW agent Jim (Abraham).
The film presents its characters with strong backstories. Former ISIS agent Rubia (Padukone) is part of the mission and keeps questioning his loyalty. And that was about it. "Why" and "Why" takes many turns and jumps in time from one beautiful place to another, sometimes with scenes that distract from the actual action in front of you.
You've seen Khan do Chaya Chaya on top of the train, but Pathan gives you more. He fights on a Hummer, then gets strapped down somewhere in the air between two helicopters, then hops onto a truck.
Basically there is very little ground action and you will find that the Pathan men mostly fly through highly active sequences. And when you battle Khan and Abraham on the big screen, all you need is to get your adrenaline pumping. And yes, the train is not forgotten. Perhaps the best and highest point of the film is when Pathan meets Tiger (Salman Khan) and the two have an elaborate action sequence in and then over a moving train. In this scene it was hard to focus on what was happening on screen with all the loud bangs, screams and whistles. It was nothing but a celebration of true glory with the two Superstars in their possible avatars in one image.
At 146 minutes Pata didn't tire you out but seemed to drag a bit as you tried to get ahead in the second half. There's dialogue that makes you laugh or seems too serious, but the overall writing isn't amazing enough to leave a mark.
Pathan is very active, but it's best not to question the logic of gravity-defying lifts and drops as there aren't any. They're a visual treat and a spectacle that will keep you immersed without much effort.
Sometimes it gets a little too unrealistic, but you'll find that filmmakers are trying to make a movie on the scale of a Hollywood actor. The action is top-notch, but some images looked weak and you could easily see the green chroma screen in this shot. Another thing that confused me in the first half was Sridhar Raghavan's script and non-linear story. The speed at which he jumped between timelines and continents became confusing after a while. The pieces of the puzzle fit together in the first order.
It may have been more than three decades before you played an unconventional action hero, but it's never too late to strike. She is beautiful, fierce and lets her eyes do the talking. The spirit he brings to the screen comes straight from his #AskSRK sessions and even in the most intense and deadly scenes, Khan will put a smile on your face with his hilarious, serious face.
Padukone easily ups the ante with her hot and sultry looks. Although the boys take up most of the screen time, she manages to act and shine. With the flair he brings to the action sequences, an action movie with his own complete work wouldn't ask for much.
Abraham will make you love him as an evil thinker. Forget the muscles because you won't be able to take your eyes off the bulging veins of his tattooed arms. To bolster the story, Ashutosh Rana and Dimple Kapadia provide competent cast support and have a very easy time to shine.
Pathan is your real blue commercial masala artist not trying to send a message or make a social comment on the current state of the country. It's fun, impatient and wonderful at the same time. Go to Shah Rukh Khan and you will come back with nothing but a smile and maybe a little cry. Don't miss the show before it ends because every day you will see two superstars making fun of their fame.
