Bollywood's Fighter has encountered some turbulence in the world of film critics, as reflected by its disappointing score on Rotten Tomatoes. Starring Hrithik Roshan, Deepika Padukone, and Anil Kapoor, this Hindi-language film centers around a group of Indian fighter pilots who unite to form an elite team, dedicated to protecting their country from any impending threats. Fighter hit the theaters on January 25, 2023, with high hopes and anticipation.
In terms of premise, Fighter bears a striking resemblance to the highly anticipated Hollywood flick, Top Gun: Maverick. However, when comparing the two movies, their Rotten Tomatoes' Tomatometer scores could not be more contrasting. At present, Fighter's Tomatometer score rests at a mere 31 percent, leading to a 'Rotten' rating. On the contrary, Top Gun: Maverick boasts an impressive Tomatometer score of 96 percent, indicative of the love and appreciation critics have showered upon it for its remarkable cast and engaging characters.
Interestingly, while critics have been less than impressed with Fighter, the audience response has been much more forgiving. The film has garnered an impressive 95 percent audience score, which competes favorably with Top Gun: Maverick's 99 percent audience score. Unfortunately, this applause is based on a rather small sample size, with fewer than 50 verified rankings available as of now. Consequently, the final audience score may fluctuate, leaving room for uncertainty.
However, it would be unfair to solely judge Fighter based on these rankings. As an original production, much like its predecessor Top Gun from 1986, Fighter's Rotten Tomatoes results can be seen as more forgivable. After all, Top Gun only holds a Tomatometer score of 57 percent, whereas its audience has rated it at a respectable 83 percent. In line with this, even if Fighter loses some audience favor throughout its theatrical run, it is likely to remain competitive with the predecessor of Maverick.
Box office success is often a crucial factor in determining a film's impact and profitability. Top Gun: Maverick managed to soar to great heights, grossing nearly $1.5 billion worldwide. On the other hand, Fighter is still striving to reach the coveted 100 crore mark, with each crore being roughly equivalent to $130,000. Only time will tell if Fighter can recover its production budget at the box office, and potentially pave the way for sequels. Perhaps, a sequel to Fighter, Fighter 2, could level the playing field and compete more evenly with Top Gun: Maverick. Fortunately, fans of Fighter will likely not have to wait 36 years for a sequel as Tom Cruise's fans did, offering a glimpse into the potential success of the franchise.
In conclusion, despite the discrepancy in its Rotten Tomatoes score, Fighter is a Bollywood film that showcases originality and ambition. Led by a talented cast, the movie seeks to captivate audiences with its thrilling storyline. While the current critical reception may be disappointing, the film's journey is far from over. Audiences have shown their support, and if Fighter manages to achieve financial success, there is a possibility for a sequel that might prove to be a true contender against the storyline of Top Gun: Maverick.
