Tiger 3 (2023) Action Movie Review

The Marvelified Bollywood action series brings together the iconic Hindi-speaking stars from the late '90s and early '00s, creating a cinematic universe akin to Marvel. In "Tiger 3," Khan's character, Tiger, engages in a flag-waving battle against his own Pakistani super-spy wife, Zoya, played by Katrina Kaif. The mission? To thwart Pakistani terrorists and prevent them from disrupting the peace talks between Pakistan and India.

Despite the film's overall appeal, some critics argue that "Tiger 3" lacks innovation, as it seems to stick closely to the tried-and-true formula established by its predecessors. The storyline feels somewhat predictable, with nothing groundbreaking or original introduced. Nevertheless, fans of the Yash Raj Spy Universe and Salman Khan's action-packed performances may still find the movie enjoyable.

This time around, Tiger isn't just focused on fostering good relations between countries; he's also trying to protect his own family. While this personal twist doesn't add or subtract much from the movie's appeal, it does check off some expected boxes. The film includes Shah Rukh Khan in an extended cameo and borrows quite a few story elements and clichés from Hollywood.

The story kicks off with Tiger embarking on a daring rescue mission at the request of Maithili Menon, the no-nonsense chief of India's spy agency. Tiger successfully rescues his ex-supervisor Gopi Arya, who, in his dying moments, accuses Zoya of being a double agent for Pakistan. This revelation sets off a chain of events, including a flashback to Zoya's past, a musical number where Tiger questions Zoya's trustworthiness through song, and more plot setup to frame the conflict between Tiger, his wife, and their son Junior.

The movie unfolds with few surprises, except for a moment where Salman Khan briefly disguises himself with a red hippie sweatband and a fake beard. Tiger dramatically removes the beard before a confrontation with his wife, leading to a reconciliation as they join forces to thwart Aatish Rehman's plans.

"Tiger 3" feels like the fifth installment in a movie series, with both improvements and drawbacks. Compared to "Pathaan," Shah Rukh Khan's recent return to the Yash Raj Spy Universe, Tiger's latest adventure boasts better action scenes and storytelling. Salman Khan had a brief appearance in "Pathaan," and in return, Shah Rukh Khan made a superior guest spot in "Tiger 3." The chemistry between the two stars is evident, featuring playful dad jokes and impressive special effects. If you squint, you might even think Salman and Shah Rukh were filming on the same set, giving an edge to "Tiger 3."

Being a second sequel works to Salman's advantage. The filmmakers seem to have a better grasp of making this type of movie compared to the lackluster debut of "Ek Tha Tiger" in 2012. "Tiger 3" also excels as a buddy movie, with Katrina Kaif stealing scenes, reminiscent of her performance in "Tiger Zinda Hai." There's even a lively and slightly spicy catfight in a Russian bathhouse. While Kaif looks more natural with a gun, Salman Khan appears more comfortable than ever as a pumped-up Tom Cruise lookalike, showcasing his signature boyish smirk while hanging from ceilings and leaping into helicopters.

The film might mark a turning point for the Yash Raj Spy movies, now defined by a familiar, likable genericism akin to Marvel's blockbuster style. However, it could also be a one-time success, given the uncertainty of how the series will evolve with the integration of characters from "War," including Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff, whose sequel is in production.

While "Tiger 3" may deliver what fans want in terms of action and musical scenes, it's suggested that a holiday crowd would be the ideal audience for this family-friendly film. Others might consider waiting until it becomes available on a popular streaming service, which could be a more surprising move than anything Salman attempts in his latest blockbuster.