URI Movie Review - This Slick Retelling Of The Surgical Strikes Is Not Without Casualties

Based on real events of September 2016, this war drama is championed by a power packed and intense performance from Vicky Kaushal, whose stars only seem to be rising higher and higher.

It can be incredibly challenging to make a film that is based on real-life events, let alone one that has to deal with matters of war, politics and nationalism. After all, there is a fine line between authentically depicting actual events, and creating a hyperbolic and whitewashed depiction of them. Let’s find out in which camp Uri falls.  

We Like: 

-Our collective obsession with Vicky Kaushal is only about to go up, thanks to his intense and captivating performance that ends up being URI’s biggest pillar of strength. His posture (largely helped by his daunting height) and acting chops are to be admired. Speaking of which, BRB, we just decided to stalk Vicky’s Instagram feed (again). 

-It’s funny seeing Babu Rao planning surgical strikes, but Paresh Rawal, in a role that is clearly based on National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, is reliably effective and believable and doesn't take away focus from him.

-In smaller but impactful roles, Mohit Raina and Dhairya Karwa shine through as well. New Crush Alert Ladies!!  

-Throughout the film, Aditya Dhar’s riveting direction, and Mitesh Mirchandani’s impressive camera work keep you nicely engaged, and make you want to forgive the film’s other flaws. The only time you’ll get distracted is if you start drooling over Vicky’s Insta feed again, which we won’t blame you for.  

-The action scenes are complex, and work to showcase the crisp and breathless editing that appears to be seamless. 

We Hate: 

-The film has also not shied away from indulging in jingoism and propaganda, as evident from the fact that when Vihaan (Vicky Kaushal's character) wants to take a break from active duty to help his ailing mother, the Prime Minister firmly reminds him that “desh bhi toh maa hai.” Or the fact that early on in the film, Paresh Rawal firmly states that “yeh naya Hindustan hai, ye ghar main ghusega bhi aur marega bhi”. Guys, we love our country too, but this is a bit too much. 

-The leaps in logic that we are forced to take during parts of the film. The fact that an intern working at the Defence Research and Development Organization ends up providing a big breakthrough is just not believable. I mean, where were these internships when we were looking for them during our college days??!!!

-Also, unlike in Raazi, Pakistani intelligence, as well as officials, are shown to be highly unqualified stereotypical caricatures. An ISI officer is so ridiculously incompetent, you wonder how he got that job in the first place. Also apparently, Pakistani warplanes can’t accurately shoot at anyone, despite having the advantage of speed, altitude, and outmatched firepower. 

-Is it just me or has Yami Gautam been playing the most unlucky characters in Hindi films? Just think about it - in Vicky Donor, she can’t have kids, in Badlapur, she is shot and killed, and in Kaabil, she is blind and commits suicide after being brutally assaulted. Yet again, she is playing a character that is given the short end of the stick and doesn’t have much to do. But hey, at least she gets to be affirmative here. Baby steps?  

-Same is the case with Kirti Kulhari, though to be fair, the filmmakers were at least gracious enough to not pretend otherwise by according her with a ‘Special Appearance’ credit.   

While it is finely crafted and full of josh, URI is not without its fair share of hiccups. It still warrants a watch though, for the taut direction, impressive camera work, gripping editing, and above all, Vicky Kaushal’s impressive performance. 

Hot or Not: HOT!

Rating:  3/5