Tiger 3 Review: Action-Packed Thrills and Villainous Intrigue Unleashed

The latest part in the Tiger franchise, "Tiger 3," receives a mixed review in this analysis. Despite being criticized for being overlong, overheated, and over the top, the film maintains its momentum, thanks in part to Salman Khan's star power. The review emphasizes that, in contrast to some other films in the genre, "Tiger 3" is gender-agnostic, giving Katrina Kaif's character almost as much action as the invincible Tiger himself.

A particular highlight mentioned is a major action sequence featuring Katrina Kaif's character in a Turkish hammam, clad in a towel, facing off against a deadly Chinese agent and martial arts instructor. The review appreciates the cool factor brought by the two actresses, with a humorous note about the spotless towels adding an extra layer to the film.

The YRF spy universe, while acknowledged as not catering to those seeking realistic espionage thrillers, is praised for its entertainment value. The villain is commended for not being a stereotypical scowling Pakistani agent; instead, he poses a real challenge to the hero, played by Emraan Hashmi. The antagonist's intention to wipe India off the face of the earth is expected but is portrayed as a multi-dimensional character, thanks to the writing and Hashmi's steady performance.

The action in the first half is noted to belong more to the stunt doubles than the lead actors, but the second half balances things out as Salman and Katrina actively participate. The film's director, Maneesh Sharma, is credited for quickly establishing the film's theme in the first three sequences.

The storyline is briefly outlined, starting with Katrina Kaif's character Zoya's origin story, followed by a rescue mission orchestrated by R&AW chief Maithili Menon. The main conflict emerges as Tiger and Zoya face off against a former ISI agent, Aatish Rehman, played by Emraan Hashmi. The battle is described as involving truth and half-truth, betrayal and redemption, democracy and dictatorship, and double agents versus genuine comrades.

Notably, the film is highlighted for not portraying a battle against an entire nation but rather against renegades within the ISI and the Army planning a coup against the country's peacenik prime minister. The locations, spanning Istanbul, St. Petersburg, Vienna, Islamabad, and a high-security prison in Pakistan, add a diverse backdrop to the narrative.

In conclusion, while "Tiger 3" is critiqued for its excesses, it is acknowledged for delivering entertainment and spectacle, with particular praise for the gender-inclusive action and a compelling villain.