'Attack' explores a refreshing concept that’s imaginative... for the most part

How often do you watch a commercial Bollywood film and feel it’s genuinely different or noteworthy?

Attack falls in this bucket for exploring a refreshing concept that’s imaginative and exciting… for the most part.

The film centres around a terrorist attack on the Parliament of India and the rescue mission single-handedly managed by a “Super Soldier” Arjun Shergill (John Abraham). However, it doesn’t rely on the typical macho Bollywood hero to save the day.

Here, the hero is supported by an advanced artificially intelligent (AI) chip implanted in his body, called IRA, to give him the mental and physical strength to fight against all odds.

This is where Attack distinguishes itself from the run-of-the-mill action thrillers and sci-fi films. It brilliantly integrates the function of technology in 2022 and its potential purpose in the combat.

Abraham plays a strong and determined soldier whose suffering from the loss of his partner, Ayesha (Jacqueline Fernandez) in a terrorist attack, and coping with his disability that has paralyzed him permanently.

His situation makes him the perfect candidate to test the limitations and development of this AI technology invented by Dr. Sabaha Qureshi (Rakul Preet Singh).

While the concept and premise are inspired and exceptionally executed with sharp VFX, the story went nowhere with it – which is also the biggest drawback of the film.

It lacks conviction to establish that such an event can occur in the capital of India, and that too at the Parliament (although it did happen 2001).

On one hand, the film fiercely celebrates the use of AI to fight crime, but on the other it conveniently ignores the same technology and security that could be protecting the Parliament in the same period.

… THE IRONY!

Moreover, the film constantly undermines its own characters especially the military forces and intelligence officers are who seemingly as gullible as a toddler.

Writers Lakshya Raj Anand, Sumit Batheja and Vishal Kapoor overlook the necessity of building the arcs of supporting characters in an attempt to hype the protagonist alone.

Chief officer V.K. Subramaniam (Prakash Raj) and the acting Prime Minister played by Rajit Kapoor offer solutions to resolve the matter and settle with the terrorists – all their conversations are not only laughable but test the intelligence and patience of the viewers as well.

Perhaps this was an attempt to mock how politicians really behave in crisis, but it certainly did not work in a slick film resting on such a clever subject.

Speaking of which, crafty cinematography by Will Humphris, P.S. Vinod and Soumik Mukherjee along with pumping music by Shashwat Sachdev are top-notch. The action sequences, though jarringly lengthy, are a treat for sci-fi and gamers with stylish visual effects, 360-degree camera-work, and electrifying music.

Final Verdict:

Attack wins on a fresh concept and exciting execution, but unfortunately falters in the second-half due to poor direction and hare-brained story. It does have a great potential for an entertaining franchise though!