Dear reader, online ads enable us to deliver the journalism you value. Please support us by taking a moment to
The biggest problem with Operation 021 is the disconnect between the marketing of the film and the actual product. It was a wonderful movie, but not the one we were prepared for. Ignore all of the Waar comparisons you’re going to hear; this film is on a different spectrum entirely.
Sold as an action-thriller, the trailer hinted at a gun toting Shaan defeating evil enemies with the power of one liners. Instead O21 is a surreal meditation on conflicting loyalties.
Contemplative, deliberately paced and often disconcerting, it is a far better film than it appeared to be in its promotion, and therefore requires an audience that is willing to be challenged.
If you don't know what you are in for it's easy to be overwhelmed.
 |
| Photo Courtesy - Operation 021 Official Facebook Page |
Rather than a prologue and exposition we are dropped right into the action which is hard to follow at first as four different points of view are juxtaposed with each other.
The separate stories of an Afghani government official Dost (Hameed Sheikh), radical revolutionary Abdullah (Ayub Khoso), CIA operative Nathan (Joe Town) and former asset Kashif Siddique (Shaan) eventually converge.
Getting to see what's happening from every angle allows for more context and perspective than if we followed a single protagonist. The daring choice of a fragmented structure as opposed to the usual chronological linear narrative means there is no escalating tension and no real climax. The unfolding of events do not matter as much as the pattern that emerges.
Essentially, O21 is about people who find themselves caught between the twin corruptions of corporate agendas and devious politics centered round Afghan mineral deposits that are accessed through Pakistani routes.
In lesser hands this movie would have been reduced to its plot: Afghan nationalists seek to expose forces that seek to exploit the country’s resources. A microchip with potentially scandalous information becomes the focus of both groups.
 |
| Photo Courtesy - Operation 021 Official Facebook Page |
But plot is only peripheral here.
The filmmakers have their sights set much higher and add subtlety and nuance to the proceedings. An unending cycle of double crosses makes us question the veracity and motivations of the very characters we want to identify with.
This is not a story about heroics or defeating villains.
It's about the willingness to give up a part of yourself for something bigger.
Kash's self sacrifice cannot be reversed. His patriotism, heroism and compassion all require a lack of ego which turns him into more of a spy and less of a person. As much as he wants to connect to his wife Natasha (Aamina Sheikh) he will always be married to his country first. It is a part of the damage heroes take on to save the world.
Abdullah understands this better than anyone and stopped being a person long ago to become indestructible. You cannot break someone who has turned himself into his mission. Charming in his wildness, he is as untameable as Afghanistan itself.
The CIA operatives are somewhat under written. Nathan's personal motivations seem murky at best.
A well rounded story has villains who are as three dimensional as the protagonists. In contrast Dost slowly transforms from just another cog in the machine to one of the most conflicted and interesting characters whose choices may determine the fate of the country.
 |
| Photo Courtesy - Operation 021 Official Facebook Page |
The movie is not perfect, but it is beautiful in its ambition.
Grand ideas expressed clumsily will always be better than having nothing to say.
There were some obvious flaws. Some characters and plot lines were not set up, and introducing them in the second half of the film felt contrived.
Choppy editing and several tonal shifts leave evidence of the change in directors from Summer Nicks to Jami. Dialogue was stilted, awkward and distracted from the movie. The one liners seemed forced and designed to be catch phrases.
 |
| Photo Courtesy - Operation 021 Official Facebook Page |
Luckily the powerful visuals more than compensated for everything else.
Rarely can an impressionistic blast of sound and vision so clearly convey an emotional state of being. The production value is the best I’ve seen in a Pakistani movie to date, and yet O21 isn't a mere technical achievement: it's a heartrending, gorgeously realized story of allegiances and loyalty that wrestles with questions of integrity, justice, and patriotism.
It does not glorify war but depicts it in a gritty realistic, thought provoking way. It's engaging, unflinching and unique in that it dares to tell the dark and intense stories in the shadows.
Overall score: 4/5
Comments (46) Closed
I have already watched Waar, Khudha ke liye and l loved it................. This Operation 021 movie is going to be a path breaking movie in pakistani film industry............Awesome trailer ...............
A movie Enthusiast from India
Im so glad that u were not tweeting while watching the film unlike MS, who couldn't understand a single thing about the film as she was busy tweeting. Im blowsn away by ur focused review and made me think how pin point ur review is! Dead Bullseye. Ur positive and negatives r absolutely accurate. I tried to pull back the marketing but it was too late as anything with Shaan people think its an action thriller. we tried keeping it Spy thriller but it just didn't work...ppl convinced themselves its WAAR2. so that was my greatest fear. but seeing ur review and the elements u picked up from film made sense. I'm really impressed by ur review and ur negatives also as if u knew the script inside out. it was an ambitious battle to balance justice and future conflict in afghanistan with passion. its a huge task!
thx so much
I hope MS would watch movies instead of tweeting every 3 seconds. Please learn from this review what reviewing a film:)
Good, balanced review. You've done a commendable job in presenting the pros and cons of the movie, which are in line with what I was expecting.Unlike some thoroughly unprofessional reviewers such as MS, you actually watched the film rather than tweeting and taking a hasty exit to get to your favorite burger joint.Good job! Looking forward to watch this one with a giant tub of popcorn and then rewatch it again ....
Great film. It will do well in Pakistan amongst thinking audiences. If you're looking for dancing, singing and prancing around then don't go see this movie. However if you want to exercise the grey matter then this is a movie worth watching at least twice. It will do even better overseas where this movie will have an audience. Great review. Well balanced and after reading this will go see it a second time ;)
I want to watch this movie in Norway!!! Now!
@Wondi : Thanks for liking our flims, hope that you continue to enjoy our films in the future.
All this 'great movie' nonsense I heard about Waar too. Then I sat down to watch it last week. Opening scene was promising but quickly settles into a pathetically directed movie in English. I couldn't take more than 20 minutes of that 'masterpiece'.
Great review and just read another one from an film based website which was all praise for Operation 021 also.
This is quality cinema. Something we can all be proud of. Definitely taken Pakistan cinema to the next level.
The only thing I fear is that the masses might not enjoy this film. Hope Operation 021 becomes the highest grossing Pakistani film of all time.
Can't wait for the overseas release.
@GA sorry about that....its not for everyone.
pak is making such good movies.they r way above bollywood and hollywood.then why is fawad khan trying to get into bollywood
@ashis 29 minutes ago
"pak is making such good movies.they r way above bollywood and hollywood.then why is fawad khan trying to get into bollywood"
Because he is short and skinny .
@ashis filling the gap of "heroes" which india can`t produce even having a billion plus
O21 had a great premise however the director and script write did absolutely NO justice to it. Besides the character of Abdullah, all other roles had stilted acting. Great cinematography but terrible acting.
Tried to watch 'Waar' after reading about all the hype on DAWN. Have to agree with GA that after the initial promising scenes, it just started getting boring. After about 20 minutes, got really bored and stopped watching. Sorry....but it looks like it is not a movie for everyone...only Pakistanis.
@Marium S really sad if u can't see good script and acting
@hero No sir, India invites Pakistani artists because love cancels hate.I know kind people in Pakistan too know this. And yes you can have as many wars but you cannot defeat hate, only love can.
Pakistan should support local artists and should not allow foreign movies to be released around local movies. And people should watch them even if its not a perfect movie, atleast they tried.
@hero .. oh come on, lets not get carried away. He comes to India coz you dont have an film industry to speak of.
dont we have any other topic........plz make movie on other topics also....shaan is wasting his career now and wasting time of his audience he only have one specific looks of angry arrogant guy.....people fedup now from shaan's acting......why he focusing on one specific issue.....make movies with good songs music stories and good humor.......some bouncy tones......our nation already living in distress state of mind.....and now such stupid concept movies.......
I recently watched movie WAAR on youtube & found it was more kind of cigarette advertisement campaigning. Large plumes of smoke... Sorry.. no offence to Lollywood movie lovers.
@HMMM ... sad that you think every movie that Shaan makes is Oscar worthy.
@hero Yeah there are plenty of spots for B grade movies like Khoobsurat
@jami - I am really sorry too because it seemed like it was for English-speaking audience accustomed to Hollywood level direction and dialogue. Some scenes prove that it really had the potential. Perhaps if the directors and producers sat down and critiqued it themselves....
Might watch. Look's OK.
Most of the theaters in USA are playing Bang Bang, Haider why not this movie?
@HAIDER And no money. Sahrukhan's fee = Pakistan film Budget.
@jami Right. Especially those who dont understand pushto. The subtitles were aweful and the whole movie was in Pushto. BYE BYE 500 rupees down the drain.
@Raj Patel .. thats a lot Raj, Vivek Oberoi's salary = Pakistan's movie budget.
New movie, Na Maloom Afraad has better chance for wider audience.
@Sudhakar - I disagree with your last line. There were many Pakistanis who disliked it and many Indians who liked it including some Indian director whose name I can't recall.
It was a good movie. The story plot was great however I did not like the direction. If compare cinematography to that of Waar's then Waar nailed it.
All in all, its a good watch. Watch it in cinemas people. This needs revenue.
Sorry to say that instead of judging the movie fairly people have made it Pakistan vs. India match. Be positive folks. Movie is not bad considering the budget. Somebody rightly said that Shahrukh fee = movie budget. It sure is commendable to make such a movie in that low a budget.
Would have loved to watch this movie in India. Of Pakistani movies, I have watched Waar and Khuda Ke Liye. Wonderful movies. I am sure O21 would be a super-hit there..Wish Pakistani cinema a great future.
I have just watched the movie and it was no doubt a very bold and revesling to international controversies instead of mere covert referrals thats other movies do...
However the review is just a stupid pointing finger policy which just raises for no reason but attention.
Knowing the fact that we are not a developed film industry,the critics keep on comparing our every film with Bollywood and Hollywood which have taken lots of years to get established..
Such reviews won't do anything but just force the already absent audience of cinema that whether they should really go or not.
For our film industry every review must give the potential viewers a hope or hint to spend money so that atleast the amount spent on the movie is recovered then after a week or so give such so called review...
nice movie i shall watch in dubai ;)
021 gonna b a big hit along with #NaMaloomAfraad
yar, just watched last night .... its not that great movie to watch especially watching Waar. Sorry Guys but it is true
Hi, werent they supposed to release this simultaneously in UK, US, Dubai on eid.
021 must still be better than the tripe Bang Bang
Watched the movie. Despite it's flaws, it was a good movie worth a watch. Way better than the junk Bollywood is churning out by the dozen. @Jami keep up the great work. I look forward to your next project.
When is it coming out in the UK? I cannot wait!
@irfan farooqi
if they are fed up with shaan why are his movies making so much money? Khuda ke liye and Waar are 2 of the biggest blockbusters in Pakistani cinema history!
it may not be to your taste, but look at the box office figures, the public are lapping it up, not just in Pakistan but abroad too.
Pakistanis are the cranky bunch of movie goers as they say you can please some of the people some of the time you cannot please all the people all the time. Few years ago there were no films to view or review in Pakistan now films are entering the film arena and we are expecting a standard that never existed. We are still in the infantile stage where are film makers have to work in hard conditions where there are no technical infrastructure, distribution or marketing backing to help them so be patient and less critical foe now!
Operation 021 is the great movie and this movie increase the fame of film industry throughout the world. I thought it's another step for promoting film industry
Definitely not a film for 'item number' audience who were making cheap comments throughout the movie...it is made for an audience who don't leave their brains outside the theater doors. A brilliant effort with a few glaring flaws..but who cares as we are proud to watch such a movie from Pakistan. Never had we imagined a couple of years back that we would get something like this from Pakistani Cinema... We have movies from Hollywood where one bullet kills 12 in a row....one American saving the entire humanity and survives space mission disasters so who cares if it was a memory card not a hi fi chip ..which could have been easily copied and uploaded at the start of the movie...:) i am glad to watch it as a Pakistani audience who always complained about pathetic cinema.
Simply love it... we shouldn't compare ours with bollywood who produces masala movies. I recommend everyone to watch it.
021 is very much like Waar. Both visually stand out but underneath those pretty shots there is not much going on.
021 fares worse because it's poor sound design suppresses the dialogues and makes the acting look weak.
The film's idea is interesting but when you make a character based film without properly defined characters ... It's like a comedy without jokes or an action film without explosions. Sorry but the film's flaws greatly supersede it's proficiencies.
@ZAIN that is not pashto , that is Persian