UAE Archives - Page 20 of 127

Director: Amar Kaushik Star Cast: Rajkummar Rao, Shraddha Kapoor, Pankaj Tripathi, Abhishek Banerjee, Aparshakti Khurana, Akshay Kumar, Varun Dhawan Language: Hindi Runtime: 149 Minutes Review Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐(4/5) Script Analysis: Raj & DK had given us the original Stree, based on a folk legend from Karnataka. Niren Bhatt develops the idea further, maintaining the prequel’s mood and tone while intensifying the horror element. The gender equality angles are subtly addressed. While logic is not the focus here, we get entertaining twists, including a lunatic’s warning letter and a post-climax reveal, suggesting a new cinematic member for this franchise. However, future additions to the Stree universe will need a solid plot to avoid feeling repetitive. The film succeeds in delivering no-holds-barred entertainment but stretches the runtime unnecessarily in some parts. Star Performances: Shraddha Kapoor, as Vicky’s love interest, has limited screen time and relies on her expressive eyes to convey emotion. But the real stars are the quartet of Vicky, Jana, Bittu, and Rudra, who go wild with uninhibited performances. Pankaj Tripathi shines with his comic timing and nuanced expressions, while Abhishek Banerjee often steals the show. Rajkummar Rao delivers a solid performance, though his role isn’t as meaty. Aparshakti Khurana is decent, while Sunita Rajwar reprises a funnier version of her character from Gullak. Cameos from Akshay Kumar, Tamannaah Bhatia, and Varun Dhawan add to the entertainment. Direction & Music: Amar Kaushik succeeds in keeping the audience engaged, but Stree 2 could have been more focused on improving the plot rather than expanding the scale. The CGI effects could have been handled better, but the film’s execution ensures a fun viewing experience. The music by Sachin-Jigar stands out, with “Aaj Ki Raat” being the best track. The background score by Justin Verghese is also effective in creating the right mood for the horror-comedy genre. The Last Word: While Stree 2 doesn’t surpass its predecessor in terms of storytelling depth, it stays true to the franchise’s mix of horror and humor. Despite its occasional overreliance on tropes and a stretched second half, the film remains an entertaining and worthy sequel. Fans of the original will enjoy the return of their favorite characters and the new twists this spooky tale offers. For those seeking value-for-money entertainment, Stree 2 delivers a fun, fright-filled ride. Verdict: A fun horror-comedy that’s bigger in scale but could have benefited from a tighter script. Still, it's a spooky and enjoyable sequel. For more recommendations, read our Ulajh Movie Review here.