Alpha Review: Stylish Action Can’t Save YRF Spy Universe’s Biggest Blunder

Punchline

Alpha is an ambitious spy thriller that boasts lavish production values and stylish action, but weak writing, an uninspiring screenplay, and a controversial narrative make it the weakest film in the YRF Spy Universe.

Storyline

Lt. Colonel Fateh Singh Lakhawat (Bobby Deol), devastated by the heavy losses suffered during the Kargil War, conceives a secret mission called Project Alpha to strengthen India’s future security. However, the government shuts down the operation and demotes him. Unwilling to abandon his vision, Fateh secretly continues the mission, with Sita (Alia Bhatt) eventually becoming a crucial part of his plan. The film follows Sita’s journey as she carries forward Project Alpha while uncovering the truth behind Fateh’s controversial mission.

Positives

YRF once again delivers grand production values with visually appealing action sequences.
The visual effects are a noticeable improvement compared to some recent entries in the franchise.
Sharvari performs convincingly in the action scenes despite having limited screen time.
The face-off between Alia Bhatt and Sharvari stands out as one of the better action moments.
Bobby Deol delivers a sincere performance, while Anil Kapoor is dependable in his supporting role.

Negatives

The screenplay is slow, predictable, and lacks the excitement expected from a spy thriller.
The central twist feels heavily inspired by recent films but fails to create any impact.
The narrative presents India’s intelligence agencies and the Army in an unconvincing and controversial manner, weakening the emotional core.
Alia Bhatt, despite being a talented actress, appears miscast in a full-fledged action role and struggles to make the action sequences believable.
The film relies too much on glamour and stylish visuals while neglecting storytelling and character development.
Even with a relatively short runtime, the movie feels repetitive and emotionally disconnected.
The much-hyped cameo fails to generate excitement and ends up feeling underwhelming.

Technicalities

The production design and overall scale are impressive, giving the film a polished look. Rubais’ cinematography captures the action sequences effectively, while the VFX is better than expected. However, the songs leave little impression, and the background score lacks the intensity required for a spy thriller. Aarif Sheikh’s editing cannot overcome the sluggish pacing. Director Shiv Rawail, who previously impressed with The Railway Men, fails to recreate that magic here, delivering a film that lacks both emotional depth and engaging storytelling.

Rating

2/5

Final Verdict

Alpha turns out to be a major disappointment and arguably the weakest installment in the YRF Spy Universe. While the film offers impressive visuals and a few well-executed action moments, its weak screenplay, questionable writing choices, uninspiring performances in key moments, and lack of emotional engagement overshadow its strengths. Stylish presentation alone cannot compensate for the absence of a compelling story, making Alpha a forgettable spy thriller that struggles to justify its place in the franchise.

Follow Telugu Funda on trending Social Media Platforms for more Cinema, OTT, Political, And Sports updates.