Akshay Kumar's newest film Sky Force, while not perfect, delivers an excellent cinematic experience. A prototypical war film, with grand speeches, the crossing of borders to face the enemy, and familiar cliches that have become stock-in-trade of the genre. Still, it manages to celebrate the bravery of soldiers from a fresh perspective, albeit with some creative liberties.

The story is based on the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, with Akshay Kumar playing the protagonist Wing Commander Om Ahuja. It tells the story of how the Indian Forces responded to the Sargodha airbase of Pakistan. It highlights the tough situations India faced, especially with limited resources, while trying to take on the enemy's powerful air force in broad daylight. The audience experiences attacking harrowing situations that lead to the loss of many brave soldiers. To retaliate, Ahuja and his unit undertake a high-risk mission to counterattack the enemy behind the lines.

Thrilling Air Combat and Visual Spectacle

One of the best aspects is the tactical air combat scenes, creating a hair-raising view that puts one on the edge of the seat. High stakes are scened with a fine tension of the air, particularly before the interval when, at that moment, the Indian airbase is under attack. The whole scene is made even more exciting by Akshay Kumar's character, who is getting ready to take off amid all the chaos, leaving the audience on the edge of their seats.

Visually, the film makes the experience enjoyable. A highlight is the train derailment scene, where time appears to be standing still, thereby putting the audience in the mind of the situation's seriousness. The action sequences are dazzlingly filmed, which adds more zest to the already exciting film. However, there are instances making it hard at times to understand what is real and what is not, somewhat lessening the movie's impact.

Strong Performances Amidst Familiar Tropes

It's definitely not perfect, but it has its moments. The performances, both by Akshay Kumar and new kid Veer Pahariya, deserve applause. The supporting cast also included Sara Ali Khan and Nimrat Kaur, who somewhat remind us of cookie-cutter types who followed the script. You can feel that the film has its heart in the right place. Still, it lacks that element of surprise, which would put it above the usual patriotic film.

While the action sequences are the film's greatest highlight, the continued tension makes their presence engaging. However, some would say that something important still lacks the film. The film is an entertaining experience, though it doesn't quite deliver that emotional blow one hopes to get with a film claiming to be so powerful.

Final Thoughts

Overall, Sky Force is a fun mix of action and storytelling, even if it doesn't connect with viewers on a deeper emotional level. With a reasonable ticket price, it gives a good movie experience.