The story of Cocktail 2 follows the chaotic relationship dilemmas of three main characters: Kunal, Diya and Ally. The plot focuses on how their friendship will change over time in very unexpected ways; eventually leading to emotional turmoil created by their indescribable love for each other.
Although the movie follows the same basic premise of the original film – with the three relationships becoming increasingly complicated – it injects a 21st century perspective on dating into its storytelling. Furthermore, the relationships between Kunal, Diya and Ally are portrayed realistically throughout the duration of the film.
Although there is nothing new in terms of a groundbreaking film script, there are still many enjoyable aspects of Cocktail 2 because the film does an excellent job of making the audience sympathise and connect with the characters.
The film’s biggest asset is its cast. Shahid Kapoor is now playing a character that’s warm (imperfect but very relatable) and it’s nice to see him back to a romantic lead again after all of these serious films he’s been recent and have done such great work with.
Kriti Sanon is a delightful surprise; her character is the most complete character in the film in that she really is able to balance both vulnerability and confidence seamlessly. She has some of the most emotional moments of the film and nailed them and she absolutely stole the scene multiple times.
Rashmika Mandanna brings both high energy and sincerity to her role however, which is unfortunate because she is underwritten and not developed enough to have been given the amount of depth she deserved. She did have great chemistry with both of the other actors but just didn’t have enough to do.
Visually, Cocktail 2 is stunning. From gorgeous settings around the world to fashionable costumes and colourful party scenes, it is everything a big-budget movie should be. Homi Adajania keeps the mood light for most of the movie, and the long length does not feel slow or boring at all.
Also excellent are the songs. The original’s soundtrack was going to be hard to duplicate, but the songs on this one do a great job of adding to the mood. An example is “Bandhu 2.0,” where the nostalgia works but does not come across as cheesy.
The biggest knock against the film is that it lacks emotional depth. The original had some serious emotional resonance, and this sequel is mostly about looking good, and occasionally not so much about getting deeper into the characters. There were a couple of conflicts that were resolved a little too easily, and there were some dramatic moments that could’ve benefited from having a little more time to breathe. Nevertheless, the writing is still entertaining enough that the audience should stay engaged.
While Cocktail 2 probably won’t hold the same level of influence over its audience as the first movie did, it does create a polished and entertaining movie filled with strong performers, a catchy soundtrack, and a good amount of emotional content to leave your audience satisfied. Although it may be imperfect at times, it is still a very enjoyable film overall.
Bottom Line: A relationship drama that is stylishly presented but elevated to a higher level because of Kriti Sanon’s exceptional performance, Shahid Kapoor’s charisma, and a soundtrack that keeps the energy flowing throughout. While Cocktail 2 does not have the same level of memorability as the original movie, it is still worth watching.
Rating: 3.5/5 Stars
