BAAGHI 2 REVIEW: Baaghi 2 is an all-out action film with suspense and thriller elements. The first half is all about the setup. A distraught mother reaches out to her ex-boyfriend Ronny for help. But once Ronny starts investigating the case, he finds out that no one has a clue about Neha’s daughter. The build up is slow but steady and by interval time the film manages to pique the viewer’s interest. It takes a while to establish the story, the suspense and it’s characters. There are a few action sequences in the first half, but the main focus remains on Neha’s and Ronny’s relationship and the way their past affects their present.

The second half though is a completely different tale. The slow pace of suspense and the romantic track give way to twists, turns and an action-packed finale. Ronny goes from the slightly confused soldier to an absolute blood-thirsty nutter with nothing but revenge on his mind. It gives Tiger Shroff the chance to exhibit his martial arts skills in full glory. He turns into a desi-version of Rambo as he annihilates an entire army with blazing guns and high flying kicks. It is here, that director Ahmed Khan’s movie trades style for substance. The focus is all on belting out slick action sequences that look cool. It’s disappointing that the story suffers in this attempt to impress with the action choreography and stunts. There are quite a few plot reveals and character twists during the latter part of Baaghi 2, but they’re not done convincingly. The direction falters as the film’s initial pace which is a setup for the thrills, doesn’t fit in with the high on action and adrenaline second half.

If you have grown up on Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger movies, the sight of Tiger Shroff wreaking havoc as a one man army can be exhilarating. Tiger pulls off his trademark kicks and punches with effortless ease. He looks good as a ripped and intense soldier waging war against the bad guys. For most parts, the movie sticks to its leading man’s strengths and that’s a smart decision. In the many flashbacks in the first half, Disha plays the charming college girl too, but it’s the beaten and bruised mother part that where she’s most likeable. The film also features supporting performances by Randeep Hooda, Deepak Dobriyal and Manoj Bajpayee. But these powerhouse performers have weak and clichéd characters that don’t really do justice to their talents. Prateik Babbar plays Neha’s brother-in-law, but he snorts and sneers through the role, leaving no impact. As in any commercial film, there’s also music and dance on offer. But the songs disrupt the pace of the film. Remixes of Mundiyan Toh Bach Ke and Ek Do Teen, that features a special appearance by Jacqueline Fernandez, only add to the length of the film. At 2 hours and 25 minutes Baaghi 2 seems a little too long. With better editing and a taut screenplay this one would have packed a stronger punch. Nonetheless, for fans of the action genre, Baaghi 2 can be a one-time watch.