Attack Movie Review: John Abraham as India's super-soldier rises from Satyameva Jayate debacle
India Today
John Abraham, Rakul Preet Singh and Jacqueline Fernandez's action film, Attack, releases in theatres today, April 1. The film stars John as a super-soldier, all juiced up with special powers. Read our review.
What happens when a soldier is left paralysed? There's a need bubbling in him to take revenge against the terrorists who did this to him. That's when the government, with a deep desire to save the country, turns towards a new technological innovation - the super-soldier! With a combination of sci-fi angles and high-octane action, Attack introduces an earthbound super-soldier, played by John Abraham, who can operate beyond normal human limits. The film also stars Jacqueline Fernandez and Rakul Preet Singh.
John Abraham, as Arjun Shergill, is a one-man army, out to save the nation in Attack - Part 1. We've seen him do exactly that in Satyameva Jayate (1 and 2), Romeo Akbar Walter, Rocky Handsome, Force 2 and Madras Cafe as well. But what stands out in Attack is the storyline, the cinematography and the performance of the actors. This is technically the most enhanced plot for any of John's films. John's Arjun has a chip, named IRA, planted inside him that helps him walk, fight and basically survive. He is seen in a grand laboratory where his veins are pumped with a super serum of sorts. All this to create a new breed of super-soldiers to fight the nation's enemies, with the help of a scientist, played by Rakul Preet Singh. Jacqueline essays the role of John's love interest, but she doesn't contribute much.
Debutante director Lakshay Raj Anand’s science-fiction Attack is an innovative but inert mashup of Eastern ideas and Western storytelling. While Attack might seem refreshingly original in an industry that has mostly stayed away from the genre, it could sometimes feel derivative to certain audiences. For instance, the overboard sci-fi tools, the incessant fighting scenes and cars flying around (remember Rohit Shetty's films?). The concept of super-soldiers is also not new to those who have a free pass into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and have met the likes of Captain America or Winter Soldier.
That being said, the scenes featuring Jacqueline bring new energy, not only to Arjun’s life but to the film as well. The emotional scenes are very engaging as well. Take, for example, the scene where Arjun is paralysed and helplessly watches his mother get bashed up by robbers. The sequence where he watches his love die in front of him will tug at your heartstrings. The twists have also been panned out beautifully. Every time terrorists make a move, you’ll get startled. Attack is loaded with thrilling action stunts which the audience will enjoy.
Watch the trailer of Attack here:
The film has its share of comic sequences too. Our favourite is IRA teasing John about his definition of love or finding references to Gully Boy's ‘bhot hard’. IRA too friendly and makes you laugh with her comic timing. In a world of OK Google, Alexa and Siri, this fits right in.
