Pathaan - Movie Review

Overview

The reviewer hypes Pathaan as an adrenaline-packed action-thriller built for the big screen, positioning it as part of the YRF Spy Universe (alongside War).

At the center is Shah Rukh Khan as Pathaan, introduced as an instantly cool, unstoppable hero—immediately highlighted by him being chained to a chair, yet still effortlessly taking out henchmen. The action includes ridiculous stunt combat, such as a knife “baseball” throw, before escalating into a high-speed sequence that culminates in a helicopter escape: an explosion boosts the helicopter forward, and a henchman clings on as they fly into the sunset.

Why It Keeps Toppling Its Own Craziness

A major theme is how the film tops its own over-the-top spectacle. The reviewer even compares its action style to Mission: Impossible 2, joking that it might feel like a remix of multiple spy set pieces.

Standout action moments

• A chaotic scene where a car flips multiple times, followed by a conversation the reviewer jokes is happening alongside impending disaster—before someone explodes.
• A “how do we top that?” escalation: a motorcycle chase becomes a snowy mountaintop finale, including ice skating during the action.
• An absurd truck fight that escalates into helicopter swinging, then spirals further—jumping to another truck, strapping a helicopter onto it, and a wry “it won’t kill you” moment where a nearby building will “catch” them.

Story Structure and Genre Swaps

The reviewer notes the plot shifts genres rapidly, moving through:

• Spy vs. spy
• Heist
• Prison escape
• A mutated smallpox virus storyline

They admit the first half is harder to track, but say it becomes fully captivating once the stakes rise later.

Music and Performances

Beyond the action, the reviewer praises the film’s music, blending synthwave, spaghetti western, disco, and classic rock influences. They also highlight the cast’s charisma and chemistry, especially the way characters swap tragic backstories that the reviewer describes as nearly horror-movie-level.

Celebrity Cameos and Comparisons

A fun spectacle moment involves Salman Khan, who appears on a train by coming down through the roof holding coffee—played like the kind of big-screen spectacle movie fans expect.

The reviewer also compares a similar train-running scene to Under Siege 2, but makes it even crazier here because the train is falling off a bridge as they run through the carriages.

Ending Verdict

The review concludes with an A-minus, calling Pathaan a director’s spectacle delivering pure theater-worthy adrenaline, and recommending it in IMAX/RPX.

“A director’s spectacle” with “pure theater-worthy adrenaline” — A-minus

Main Personalities Mentioned (Subtitles)

• Shah Rukh Khan (Pathaan)
• Salman Khan
• Vin Diesel (via comparison)
• Jason Statham (via comparison)
• Jet Li (via comparison)
• Tom Cruise (via Mission: Impossible comparison)
• Henry Cavill (via Mission: Impossible 2 comparison)
• Samuel L. Jackson (via Mission: Impossible 2 comparison)
• Steven Seagal (via Under Siege 2 comparison)