• January 23, 2025

Sky Force Review: ‘An Elegant War Thriller…’

Sky Force Review: ‘An Elegant War Thriller…’

Right from the black and white era, our filmmakers have been making films featuring war as a significant backdrop or a pivotal moment. Films like ‘Hum Dono’, ‘Sangam’, ‘Sangram’, ‘Prem Pujari’, and many others had war as an integral part. While most of these films featured World War II, a few films, such as ‘Haqeeqat’, ‘Vijeyta’, etc., dared to portray the Indo-China or India-Pakistan wars. Things changed after the massive success of ‘Border’, and since then, our filmmakers have not shied away from making war-based films on a grand scale with realism. The latest addition to this list is ‘Sky Force’, which promises to showcase the real-life story of a forgotten air force pilot. Let’s find out whether this movie will manage to strike the right chord or end up being a weak clone of an international film

Sky Force is a film set amidst the 1965 India-Pakistan war. Air Force leader K.O. Ahuja (Akshay Kumar), after training his team, embarks on a mission to counter Pakistan’s aerial attack. One of his best pilots, T. Vijaya (Veer Pahariya), joins the mission late, but his plane disappears in the war zone. This leads to a lengthy investigation into his disappearance, aiming to determine whether he is alive or dead. The rest of the film unfolds from here.

Based on true incidents, this movie begins without digressing into unnecessary details and focuses on its subject. Unlike ‘Fighter’, it has its own merits to cherish. The first half is filled with aerial training and attacks, featuring highly engaging and intriguing scenes, such as the entire training track, Pakistan’s attack on our airbase, and Akshay’s team attacking Pakistan’s airbase. Initially, it may take time to connect with the pilots, as they are only referred to by their nicknames, but this smooths out as the story progresses. The second half has some impactful dramatic moments, including Akshay’s speech in front of the panel and the finale, which reveals the truth, followed by the end credits. These dramatic scenes evoke the right emotions in the film.

The movie has been well-shot and perfectly executed, giving the viewer a feel of watching a big-budget film. The VFX team deserves special recognition for creating breathtaking and believable sequences. The combination of high-quality digital effects and practical stunts elevates the realism of each scene. The editing is sharp and up to the mark.

The Sky Force soundtrack is a powerful complement to the film’s narrative, elevating tension and emotion through perfectly synchronized music and aerial action sequences. The orchestral score adds depth to quieter moments, creating a lasting emotional impact. The emotional songs dwell well with the flow of the film.

Under Kapur and Kewlani’s direction, Sky Force easily blends action and emotion, crafting a narrative that resonates deeply. By maintaining a steadfast focus on the personal stakes driving the missions, the film imbues each thrilling dogfight with meaningful purpose. With razor-sharp pacing, each sequence flows seamlessly into the next, generating a palpable sense of tension and anticipation. The directors have skillfully intertwined emotional depth throughout, elevating Sky Force from a conventional war film to a powerful exploration of the human spirit’s capacity to persevere in the face of overwhelming adversity. Backed by Dinesh Vijan and Amar Kaushik’s Maddock Films, in collaboration with Jio Studios under Jyoti Deshpande’s guidance, Sky Force pushes the limits of Bollywood’s war epic genre.

Akshay Kumar delivers a standout performance as Wing Commander Ahuja, bringing depth and nuance to a war hero grappling with leadership. His masterful balance of action and vulnerability creates a character that will be remembered long after the film ends. Veer Pahariya is decent in his debut as T. Vijaya, bringing intensity and vulnerability to the role. His poignant portrayal anchors the narrative, making the film’s emotional journey even more impactful. Nimrat Kaur and Sara Ali Khan bring emotional depth to the story with their heartfelt portrayals of the lead characters’ wives. Sharad Kelkar, Varun Badola and others lend good support.

Overall, ‘Sky Force’ is a elegant war thriller that is a good watch for cinephiles and anyone who appreciates good storytelling.

RJ Divya Solgama

Sky Force
Director – Abhishek Anil Kapur and Sandeep Kewlani
Cast – Akshay Kumar, Veer Pahariya, Sara Ali Khan, Nimrat Kaur, Sharad Kelkar
Duration – 125 minutes
Rating – 4/5  ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

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