VIBE REVIEW: Kunal Khemu, Sparsh Shrivastava And Preity Zinta’s Action Comedy Film Starts Strong But Loses Steam

Film:
VIBE

Director: Kunal Khemu

Writer: Kunal Khemu

Cast: Kunal Khemu, Preity Zinta, Sparsh Shrivastava and Yashpal Sharma

Platform: In Theatres

Runtime: 2 hours 25 minutes

VIBE Review:

Vibe is an action comedy built around two best friends, Hardik and Bugs. While Hardik (played by Kunal Kemmu) is a clueless slacker, Bugs (Sparsh Shrivastava) is a disciplined, by-the-book guy. Their ordinary lives take an unexpected turn when the mysterious Madam H recruits them for a mission to protect India from a major terrorist threat. The catch? Neither of them is remotely qualified for the job. Also, will they be able to succeed in the mission or be sacrificed for it?

Vibe gets off to a promising start. The first half is easily the stronger portion, with plenty of funny situations, well-timed punches and moments that genuinely make you laugh out loud. The humour also comes from several pop-culture references, including nods to films like Matrix and Soldier, which add an entertaining layer to the proceedings. The chemistry between the characters and the absurdity of their situation keep the first half engaging.

However, the film struggles to maintain the same energy after the interval. The second half feels stretched, with the story taking longer than necessary to reach its conclusion. What begins as an entertaining action comedy gradually loses some of its momentum. The climax, in particular, feels somewhat illogical and doesn’t quite deliver the satisfying payoff the setup promises.

What Works

The biggest strength of Vibe is its humour, particularly in the first half. The film doesn’t take itself too seriously and makes good use of its central premise: two completely unqualified men finding themselves in a situation far beyond their capabilities.

The jokes and references to popular films such as The Matrix and Soldier add to the fun. The contrast between Hardik and Bugs also works well, giving the film a buddy-comedy quality. The supporting characters add to the chaos, while the action-comedy combination keeps the first half lively.

What Doesn’t Work

The biggest problem is the uneven pacing. After a strong and entertaining first half, the second half becomes increasingly stretched. Several portions could have been tighter, which would have made the overall experience more effective.

The climax is another weak point. Some developments feel forced and don’t entirely follow the logic established earlier in the film. As a result, the film’s ending doesn’t match the entertainment value of its first half.

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Technical Analysis

Vibe attempts to balance action and comedy, and this combination works better in the first half. The comic timing and references help maintain the pace, while the action gives the story its larger scale.

However, the writing could have been tighter, especially in the second half. The extended portions affect the flow and make the film feel longer than necessary. A sharper screenplay and a more convincing climax could have elevated the overall experience.

Star Performances

Kunal Khemu as Hardik brings an easy comic charm to his character. His cluelessness and reactions make several scenes work.

Sparsh Shrivastava as Bugs provides a good contrast to Kunal. His serious, disciplined personality creates some entertaining moments when paired with Hardik.

Preity Zinta as Madam H brings authority and presence to the role. She adds intrigue to the otherwise chaotic mission.

Vanshika Dhir as Kareena aka Huma gets some interesting moments and adds another dimension to the story.

Yashpal Sharma as Rawal and Dinesh Lal Yadav as Bansi are dependable in their respective roles.

The supporting cast, including Rajesh A Krishnan, Sharmila Tagore and Aaditya Kulshrestha, contributes to the film without overpowering the central story.

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Conclusion

Vibe starts on a high with a funny and entertaining first half, strong comic moments and an enjoyable combination of action and humour. Kunal Kemmu and Sparsh Shrivastav’s contrasting characters add to the film’s appeal, while the pop-culture references make some of the jokes more enjoyable.

Unfortunately, the film loses steam in the second half. The stretched narrative and an illogical climax prevent Vibe from becoming a consistently engaging action comedy. There is enough humour to make parts of the film enjoyable, but the uneven second half ultimately keeps it from reaching its full potential.

Also Read: Haiwaan REVIEW: Saif Ali Khan, Akshay Kumar’s Thriller Will Have You On The Edge Of Your Seat Cheering For The Hero

Manisha Karki

Manisha has established a reputation for insightful and engaging storytelling with over six years of expertise in the industry. With a deep passion for cinema, she brings a unique perspective to her coverage, making it a trusted voice in the entertainment world.