Action movies are plentiful and they exist in all shapes and sizes. So many of them come and go without ever leaving a mark. But there’s something to be said for those that create and embrace their own corner of the genre. You could make a good case that Aditya Chopra and Yash Raj Films has done that with their gleefully stylish, unashamedly over-the-top, and immensely fun YRF Spy Universe.

The latest installment in the lucrative and ever-growing shared universe is “Tiger 3”, the fifth feature in this series of spy action films chronicling the adventures of various fictional RAW agents. Directed by Maneesh Sharma, “Tiger 3” is a sequel to 2017’s “Tiger Zinda Hai” and follows the events of 2019’s “War” and this year’s “Pathaan”. It sees the return of the effortlessly charismatic Salman Khan as RAW agent Avinash “Tiger” Singh Rathore and Katrina Kaif as his wife and ISI agent Zoya.

“Tiger 3” delivers everything fans love about the Spy Universe’s high-octane brand of action but on an even bigger scale. The signature style, the self-aware swagger, the rousing music, and most of all the huge electrifying set pieces – it’s all here in spades. As for the story, it works under a pretty basic premise. But it’s a premise that does what it needs to – set the table for the action while throwing in a few surprises along the way.

Written for the screen by Shridhar Raghavan from a story by Chopra, “Tiger 3” incorporates a number of frequently used spy movie angles. And while it may not stray from the Spy Universe’s distinct formula, it remains an absolute blast, fueled by some of the best action sequences you’ll see this year and driven by Khan and Kaif’s attention-grabbing presences.

Well-versed Spy Universe fans will be quite familiar with the movie’s narrative framework. There are twists, turns, and betrayals. There is globetrotting, espionage, and political power grabs. Of course there are also fierce shout-outs, kinetically choreographed fight scenes, and moments of jaw-dropping action that simply defies explanation in such a small space. And how can I forget another power-mad villain, this time with deep personal connections to our two protagonists.

While none of those things feel particularly new, Sharma and Raghavan weave a good story around their two characters who many of us have grown to love. The story begins with a prologue that introduces us to Aatish Rehman (a terrific Emraan Hashmi), an ex-ISI agent and Zoya’s former mentor. When Rehman goes rogue Zoya is forced to expose him, ending in his imprisonment for treason.

Jump to the present day where Tiger, Zoya, and their tween son Junior (Sartaaj Kakkar) live a cozy life in Austria. But when a friend and fellow agent is killed and questions of Zoya’s loyalties arise, Tiger is forced to investigate. The trail he follows leads to a shocking discovery – Aatish is free and has kidnapped and drugged Junior. He uses their son to force Tiger and Zoya to pull off a daring heist in exchange for an antidote. They succeed, but in the process unknowingly hand over nuclear launch codes to Aatish and his extremists. In the meantime Aatish frames them and soon they are wanted by both the Indian and Pakistani governments.

In addition to India, Pakistan, and Austria, the movie jets us to other exciting locations including St. Petersburg, Russia and Istanbul, Turkey. And as Tiger and Zoya attempt to clear their names they also fight to figure out and thwart Aatish’s plan. To do so requires the help of a few old friends. And it all builds up to an epic-sized showdown that plays out just as we expect but is still loads of fun nonetheless.

“Tiger 3” is a thrilling new installment in a cinematic universe that has no illusions about what it is. The film is pure action spectacle but with enough story (predictable as it may be) to keep you engaged. Khan still has the coolness and physicality to carry the movie, but he doesn’t do it alone. Kaif matches him line for line and scene for scene. In fact, there are times when she’s easily the most compelling and exciting person on screne. What matters most is that they’re great together, and I’ll go wherever their next adventure takes them. “Tiger 3” is in theaters now.

VERDICT – 4 STARS