Attack – Part I Review {3.0/5} & Review Rating

ATTACK – PART 1 is the story of the first super soldier in the world. In 2010, army officer Arjun Shergill (John Abraham) and his team infiltrates a terrorist camp and nabs a dreaded terrorist, Rahman Gul. His teenage son, Hamid Gul, is found with a suicide bomb. Arjun defuses it and allows Hamid to survive. In the present day, Arjun meets Ayesha (Jacqueline Fernandez), an airhostess. Both fall for each other and begin a romantic relationship. One day, Arjun goes to receive Ayesha at the airport. This is when terrorists make a surprise attack. Ayesha is killed in the mayhem and Arjun is badly injured. Arjun regains consciousness in the hospital only to realize that he’s paralyzed below his neck. He becomes depressed. Meanwhile, he learns that Hamid Gul (Elham Ehsas), now grown up, has been carrying out terror attacks against India. Due to these rising threats, Subramaniam (Prakash Jha), a high-ranking officer in the Government of India, suggests that a super soldier program be initiated. As per this program, a chip will be surgically implanted in a soldier. That’ll make him almost invincible and a one-man army. The Prime Minister approves the idea. Saba Qureshi (Rakul Preet Singh) is the brainchild behind this program and she insists that only a paralyzed soldier can be chosen for the experiment. Subramaniam approaches Arjun who immediately agrees, despite knowing that the experiment can fail. Thankfully, the operation is successful and Arjun is once able to walk and move his limbs like before. Gradually, he understands his strengths and how to use them. Even before he can get fully ready, he’s given a dangerous mission. Hamid Gul and his gang infiltrate the Parliament of India. They take the Prime Minister and hundred others as hostages, including Saba. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

John Abraham’s story is novel for Indian audiences. No Bollywood film has ever tackled this idea. Lakshya Raj Anand, Sumit Batheja and Vishal Kapoor’s screenplay has its merits. The writing is quick and effective. The entire idea of the super soldier is explained in such a way that even a layman can comprehend it. Sadly, the writers mess up the climax. Also, a few plot points give a déjà vu of several Hollywood films in this space. Lakshya Raj Anand, Sumit Batheja and Vishal Kapoor’s dialogues are conversational.

Lakshya Raj Anand’s direction is quite good, especially considering that this is his debut. ATTACK – PART 1 is an actioner and he ensures that the film has enough fights to keep the interest going. He also excels in the romantic portions. The emotional moments also stand out. One can feel Arjun’s pain when he’s confined to his bed or wheelchair. The way he turns into a super soldier and understands what he is capable of makes for a great watch. On the flipside, the goings-on reminds one of films like CAPTAIN AMERICA, AVATAR, INCEPTION and several other Hollywood films. Arjun talking to his AI assistant Ira is similar to Iron Man’s J.A.R.V.I.S., Spider-Man’s E.D.I.T.H. and Eddie Brock conversing with Venom. While the dramatic build up is done in a massy way, the action sequences are westernized. The mass audience might not be able to fully relate to it. A few developments are very convenient.

ATTACK – PART 1’s beginning is decent. The film picks up when Arjun woos Ayesha in the flight. Arjun’s accident and the scenes thereafter are moving. The scene where Arjun finally is able to move his hand after the surgery is clapworthy. The same goes for the sequence where Arjun fights the thieves. The intermission point is exciting. Post-interval, a few scenes stand out like the home minister (Rajit Kapur) insisting on agreeing to the terrorists’ demands while the army officer opposing it and Arjun fighting the baddies in the library and later in the Central Hall. The climax, as mentioned above, is an anti-climax.

John Abraham is in great form, and much better than what he was in his recent films. He shines in the emotional scenes and of course, is at his best while doing action. Jacqueline Fernandez is lovely in a cameo. However, it’s too similar to her role in the recently released film, BACHCHHAN PAANDEY. Rakul Preet Singh puts up a confident act. She has a crucial part to play. Elham Ehsas is okay as the villain. Prakash Raj is quite entertaining. Ratna Pathak Shah is fine and has a crucial part in the first 30 minutes. Later, she disappears. Rajit Kapur is great while Kiran Kumar (army chief) is wasted. The actor playing Rahman Gul is nothing special.

Shashwat Sachdev’s music is weak. ‘Ik Tu Hai’ works due to the situation. ‘Main Nai Tuttna’ and ‘Phir Se Zara’ fail to register. ‘La La La’ is the only song that stands out and is quite catchy. Shashwat Sachdev’s background score is stylish and works. Will Humphris, P S Vinod and Soumik Mukherjee’s cinematography is refreshing and a few takes are memorably shot. Garima Mathur’s production design is realistic, especially the Parliament Hall. Rohit Chaturvedi’s costumes are glamorous yet straight out of life. Franz Spilhaus, Amritpal Singh and Amin Khatib’s action is one of the strengths of the film. Famulus Media And Entertainment’s VFX is terrific and one of the best from Bollywood. Aarif Sheikh’s editing is sharp.

On the whole, ATTACK – PART 1 works due to the novel concept, action, VFX and John Abraham’s first-rate performance. Hence, despite the limited buzz and a weak climax, the film can work at the box office and take advantage of the clean two-week run.