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Special Ops Season 2 is an espionage thriller that connects multiple events well in terms of writing but lacks the thrill required to stay engaged with those acts throughout. Talking about performances, the sheer calmness and boldness Kay Kay Menon holds in his character is just commendable. Tahir Raj Bhasin, who plays the antagonist, despite being a very capable actor, fails to create that terror on screen due to weak writing of his complete character arc. Prakash Raj is a short yet impactful addition. Other than that, everybody supporting these prominent characters is decent. The show's production value is praiseworthy in terms of jumping to different locations across the globe and capturing the remote locations with its camera work, especially through multiple drone shots.

The seven-episode series is a slow burn for the initial three, picks up pace and holds you in the next three, but ends with an underwhelming, thrill-lacking climax that doesn't pay off as per expectations. The Dholakia plot in the show is terribly written and executed, and feels unnecessarily stretched. It takes you away from the main cyber-attack storyline. The family moments showcased in between offer good emotional depth and serve as a pleasant relief amidst all the national security proceedings. Overall, Special Ops 2 doesn't stand as tall as Season 1 but is good enough for a weekend watch, due to its decent plot and strong production value.

OVERALL 6/10.

Maalik is a gangster drama which tries to be so much but lacks the core writing to land at that level. Although it's refreshing to see Rajkummar playing something other than his typecast and he does a good job with his looks and acting. Manushi is just decent and does her minimal job. Saurabh Shukla and Saurabh Sachdeva tend to be strong characters of this world but their characters have been written terribly and lack any context or motivation. The Maalik title score is good but hasn't been materialised well in the film and many scenes which could have been better are let down by an underwhelming background score that doesn't give them the elevation needed.

The movie's biggest flaw is its screenplay and writing. 3/3

fails to connect you with its emotions and the motivations of its characters. The first half is mostly dull and gradual, except for the interval act which creates the high the film needs. Few dialogues have been written well. Just when the movie begins to pick up grip and pace, it gets interrupted by the romantic plot between Raj and Manushi and completely forgets about the crucial event that had taken place. The action cinematography and gun fighting look good in the setup, but the audience is unable to connect with those intense emotions. Overall, Maalik comes with Rajkummar's strong act but due to a weak script, it just does not turn out to be that praiseworthy.

OVERALL -4/10.

Metro In Dino opens with one of the best musical beginnings, where characters break the fourth wall and instantly pull you in. You do not even realise when twenty minutes have flown by. Everyone in the cast does well, though Ali and Fatima come across as slightly stiff in emotionally charged scenes. Adi is effortless and charismatic, and Sara pairs well with him. Neena Gupta and Anupam Kher remind you of their experience with ease. Pankaj and Konkona are the real standouts, with Pankaj bringing sharp comic timing through his subtle expressions and improvised bits. Pritam's music is wonderfully woven into the narrative. The songs do not just support the story, they carry its soul.

The first half is tight and keeps you thoroughly engaged.

It is the second half where the film loses some grip. The storylines begin to feel stretched, and the endings are not clearly defined. A few subplots could have been skipped to bring in more clarity and depth. That said, the camerawork and visual setups in some scenes are beautiful and worth appreciating. The film explores themes of infidelity and emotional detachment, and it leaves you with a feeling that this is the generalisation the film wants you to settle with. The resolution feels rushed and a bit too convenient. In the end, Metro In Dino remains a musically rich experience with a gripping first half, but the latter part misses the same emotional weight and leaves you wishing for a more satisfying conclusion.

OVERALL 7.5/10.