As the Parliament faces a siege, Arjun Shergill, India’s inaugural super soldier, is assigned the critical task of apprehending terrorists, rescuing the Prime Minister, and preventing a catastrophic explosion of a dirty bomb in Delhi. Can Arjun successfully accomplish his mission?
Review: Arjun Shergill’s life takes an unexpected turn when a terrorist attack claims the life of his girlfriend, Aisha (Jacqueline Fernandez in an extended cameo), at an airport. In the line of duty, Arjun is injured and left paralyzed from the neck down. Stranded in a wheelchair, his fate changes when Subramaniam (Prakash Raj), a high-ranking Indian government official, suggests him as the ideal candidate for a groundbreaking artificial intelligence experiment. This experiment aims to restore his mobility and transform him into a super soldier. However, as Arjun becomes the test subject for Dr. Saba’s (Rakul Preet Singh) experiment, a terrorist crisis unfolds at the Parliament. With time running out, Arjun must prevent total destruction.
Debutant director Lakshya Raj Anand’s “Attack: Part One” introduces a universe where India is on the brink of transformation, both in attitude and approach. Notably, Anand creatively incorporates artificial intelligence as a character in the narrative, earning applause for this innovative approach.
The film boasts tight editing, ensuring its two-hour runtime feels brisk. The story revolves around John Abraham’s character, maintaining a consistent thread throughout. The disruption of his status quo and the ensuing misery serve as compelling elements that drive him back into action. However, the peripheral characters, including Ratna Pathak Shah and Rajit Kapur, could have been more fully developed. Despite this, the film avoids typical patriotic tropes and sentiments, offering a refreshing departure from the norm. It steers clear of song-and-dance sequences but injects a touch of unintentional humor, a testament to the well-crafted writing.
“Attack” draws inspiration from real-life events, delivering edge-of-the-seat moments, enhanced by top-of-the-line action choreography. Visual effects contribute to the film’s combat game feel.
John Abraham delivers a commendable performance, playing to his strengths and portraying a controlled and physically fit soldier. However, the film’s conclusion feels somewhat rushed, and the threat posed by the terrorist outfit follows a familiar narrative seen in other films and OTT shows.
In summary, “Attack: Part One” offers an engaging cinematic experience from beginning to end. While it could have benefited from more nuanced development of supporting characters, it stands out as an action-packed and well-executed watch.