I just watched Alpha. The film has some engaging moments and decent suspense, but overall it fails to impress because the storyline is too routine. The plot is so predictable that you can see almost every twist coming from a mile away. It gives a strong sense of déjà vu because it relies on a done-to-death premise.
The film begins in 1999, right after the Kargil War, where two army officers, Anil Kapoor and Bobby Deol, discuss launching a mission called Alpha. Two years later, Bobby's character is demoted for disobeying the Indian Army's chain of command. He then sets out on a path of revenge.
The biggest problem with Alpha is that it doesn't hold your interest throughout. There are a few surprises that keep you invested, but for the most part, the film follows the familiar spy-universe template, which has started to feel stale. The concept of creating an Alpha soldier is fresh, but the execution is lackluster. In fact, the story feels like it reaches its natural conclusion by the interval when the family reunites. As a result, there is very little left to look forward to in the second half.
The second half is quite messy. The narrative turns into a revenge drama, which feels outdated. The only truly interesting moment comes when Bobby reveals his true identity, and that twist genuinely takes you by surprise. Hrithik's cameo is also enjoyable, although it feels somewhat forced.
Alia Bhatt is a complete misfit for the role. Her petite frame makes some of the action sequences look unconvincing, especially when she is taking down multiple opponents. Sharvari is average but performs better than Alia. Their hand-to-hand combat sequence before the interval is one of the film's highlights.
Anil Kapoor is surprisingly underwhelming and lacks his usual spark. Bobby Deol delivers a decent performance, and his character's backstory is quite shocking. Hrithik Roshan is good in his brief cameo, even though it feels inserted mainly for fan service.
Overall, Alpha has its moments, but its predictable plot is its biggest drawback. Despite a few engaging scenes and twists, the film never rises above being an average spy thriller.
Rating: 2.5/5
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