Before you book your tickets for Cocktail 2, do yourself a favour — forget everything you loved about the original Cocktail. The effortless chemistry between Saif Ali Khan, Deepika Padukone and Diana Penty, the memorable soundtrack, and the emotional highs of the 2012 film have little to do with what this sequel brings to the table.

For nearly 90 percent of its runtime, Cocktail 2 struggles to find its footing. The narrative moves at a surprisingly slow pace, with several moments feeling stretched without adding much depth to the story or its characters. It isn’t until the final act that the film finally comes alive, thanks largely to Shahid Kapoor, who delivers the movie’s most engaging moments.

Shahid’s performance is undoubtedly the film’s biggest strength. His innocence, natural screen presence, and impeccable comic timing manage to inject life into scenes that would otherwise feel forgettable. Whenever the film threatens to lose the audience completely, Shahid pulls it back with a genuinely entertaining performance.

Sicily serves as the backdrop for the story, and while the location looks beautiful on screen, it feels underutilised. The filmmakers could have done much more to establish the setting and weave it into the narrative. Instead, Sicily often feels like a postcard rather than a living, breathing part of the story. More location-driven situations and interactions could have added a layer of freshness to the film.

Kriti Sanon, despite proving her acting credentials in several previous films, appears unusually restrained here. It feels as though she’s holding back, never fully committing to the emotional beats the script demands. Rashmika Mandanna faces a similar issue. While both actors look the part, their performances remain largely flat, making it difficult to connect with their characters.

One area where the film scores is cinematography. The visuals are polished and often stunning, especially during the outdoor sequences. However, there are moments where the film leans too heavily into glossy, advertisement-like imagery, which occasionally takes viewers out of the story.

The music, unfortunately, fails to leave a lasting impact. Unlike the original Cocktail, which delivered songs that stayed with audiences long after the credits rolled, Cocktail 2 lacks a standout track that defines the film or encourages repeat listens once it lands on OTT platforms.

Overall, Cocktail 2 is a one-time watch. It doesn’t capture the charm, energy, or emotional resonance of its predecessor, but Shahid Kapoor’s performance makes it worth a visit to the theatre. If you’re going in, go for Shahid’s comic timing and the handful of moments where he truly shines.

Rating: 2.5/5