Mixed feelings but powerful

Rating: 8/10 (26 June 2019)

Hollywood has become an odd place and critics have become even stranger. Many of the meta-critics weren't impressed with Mumbai (the film), and they have the right to their collective views. To draw a contrast, Avengers Endgame (a different genre to Hotel Mumbai) was highly praised by meta-critics. I'll compare the two films in this review.
Both films involved a lot of violence. Mumbai was far more graphic to give realism rather than glorify horror.
Mumbai had relatable characters who behaved like normal human beings (although Patel in Mumbai was unnatural and Hollywoodish and failed to capture working class Mumbai's rough charm. Also, Hemsworth mostly behaved like a human being in Endgame). Most of the endgame cast behaved like "soapie stars", more like plastic mannequins with equally plastic emotions and dialogue.
Mumbai feels gritty, real, you almost expect to smell the putrid and spicy drifting through the streets.
I normally dislike violence in my movies. I like Hollywood's intense sex politics even less. Mumbai doesn't even entertain sex politics (it's real people, not Hollywood). But, Mumbai have a purpose to their violence, even if it is graphic. Endgame has sex politics (it's Hollywood) and nothing sincere or genuine (although Johansson shows glimpses of her pre-plasticised charm, like. Her Lost in Translation days when she put the effort into genuine acting).
There's a good Twilight Zone (obviously that means the 1960s series) called "number 12 looks just like you". It sums up Avengers Endgame and most of the meta-critics beautifully. In our new age of diversity where we are "all individuals" (ala Life of Brian), Mumbai has the nerve to say "I'm not".
Mumbai: justifiably violent "R" rated to capture horror, mostly solid acting (more Isaacs, far less Patel), real people in real situations. Or If you like extremely sanitised (but still violent) plastic culture, watch Endgame instead.