Citadel Honey Bunny Review: Watchable spy series despite multiple flaws
Citadel Honey Bunny Web Series Rating: 3 Stars
Watched Citadel Honey Bunny Web Series on Prime Video. So, let’s analyze the cast, release date, story, positive/negatives and at last my personal view on this web series.
Cast: Varun Dhawan, Samantha, Kay Kay Menon, Simran, Sikandar Kher, Saqib Saleem, Soham Majumdar, Shivankit Singh Parihar and Kashvi Majmundar
Director: Raj & DK
Release Date: 7th November 2024 on Prime Video
Duration: 6 Episodes/ 40 Minutes
Story: Series is the spin-off/prequel to the American television series Citadel. Story is narrated between 1992 and 2000. Series begins in 2000 when Honey (Samantha Ruth Prabhu) and her daughter Nadia (Kashvi Majmundar) live in Nainital. But they are on the run as unknown goons are behind them.
Focus shifts to 1992 where Honey is struggling actor in Mumbai. His friend Bunny (Varun Dhawan) is stuntman in the film industry. When Bunny knows that she hasn’t paid her house rent in months then he reveals to her that he works for a secret agency and asks for her help for a mission that Honey accepts. Bunny introduces Honey to his teammates Ludo (Soham Majumdar), Chako (Shivankit Singh Parihar) and Jagan (Mohit Thakur).
Her mission is to extract a disk from a goon David (Parmeet Sethi) that contains sensitive information. She however managed to get it, but Citadel agent Shaan (Sikandar Kher) intercepted her and even shot her during chase. Bunny told her about his past and his real name that is Rahi Gambhir and working for mentor Vishwa aka Baba (Kay Kay Menon). Honey too has a past and later she also decides to join them and gets the training from Bunny.
Their next mission takes them to Belgrade to track down Dr. Raghu Rao (Thalaivaasal Vijay) to get a device called Armada. Along with them Baba introduce them a new man KD (Saqib Saleem) who also joins them in their mission. Armada is a high-tech gadget that can track important individuals and is valuable in arms dealing. Citadel head Zooni (Simran) and his team is also behind the device.
What happened exactly during the covert operation of Belgrade?? Who eventually gets the Armada. Who is Baba and what is his motive? Where is Bunny in 2000. Who is following Honey in Nainital. Will she able to save her daughter? Will Bunny able to know about Honey and his daughter and helps them. Watch this series to know the answers.
Positives
1. Performances
2. Direction
3. Dialogues
4. Cinematography
Negatives
1. Length
2. Climax
3. Screenplay
4. Story
5. Background Music
Durgesh Tiwary’s View: When I watched the trailer of this web-series, planned to watch this series on premiere day as liked the trailer and big fan of Raj & Dk direction. In the Indian spin-off of the Russo Brothers’ Citadel, a stuntman and a struggling actress are entangled in a high-stakes web of espionage and betrayal. They reunite after eight years to safeguard their daughter from the consequences of their dangerous past.
Citadel Honey Bunny plot fails to inject anything particularly fresh or exciting into the spy genre, the actors succeed in making the story watchable. The show’s production design is commendable, effectively transporting viewers to the 90s and early 2000s. The action sequences are exciting and impactful, despite being devoid of modern gadgets and high-tech vehicles. The series does have its special moments. The young Kashvi is crackling in her role as the young Nadia aware of her mother’s dangerous past and always eager to be her sidekick. Scenes involving Samantha and Kashvi are warm. I do wish Varun and Samantha’s chemistry was tapped more the two feed off each other well even though they share limited screen space. It also boasts of spell-bounding action and extraordinary camerawork. The long-shot action scenes are so incredibly shot and are so well choreographed that they, at times, exceed even the global standards. All actors do well with what they get but the pick of the actors has to be the child actor Kashvi Majmundar who plays the role of little Nadia. Whenever she is on the screen, you know it is going to be a great scene.
Despite its star-studded cast, series falls short in storytelling. The writing doesn’t quite live up to the standard expected, lacking the sharpness and engaging twists often associated with their work. For fans anticipating the distinctive storytelling of Raj & DK, the series may be disappointing. The narrative lacks cohesion, and frequent time shifts between 1992 and 2000 can be confusing, interrupting the flow and engagement. The action scenes, essential for this genre, lack the intensity needed to deliver a true thrill. As a spy thriller and prequel to the renowned series Citadel, it falls short on suspense and tension, with cliffhangers that lack punch. Compared to the international Citadel series, the Indian adaptation is somehow better but misses the mark on the adrenaline-pumping sequences that keep viewers on the edge of their seats. The music is also average and doesn’t elevate the tension required in certain places, and the editing could use more precision to reduce lagging scenes. The romance between Honey and Bunny, which should have served as the emotional anchor for the series, is, unfortunately, underdeveloped. The lack of depth in their relationship makes it difficult to care about their struggles on a deeper level.
Overall, series falls short of its expectations. Samantha and Varun Dhawan deliver decent performances, but the series lacks the necessary thrills, captivating action, and narrative depth expected in an espionage drama. While there are some enjoyable scenes, the slow pacing and lack of gripping elements may leave action enthusiasts unsatisfied. It’s not the most binge-worthy series in this genre you will find out there, but for action lovers, there’s ample to keep you engaged. My view on this series Time Pass if liked the concept of Citadel
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