Some films slowly unfold their plot, dedicating time to character development before bringing the story to a conclusion. However, the film '7 Dogs' seems to adhere to only one principle: move forward without stopping and fearlessly. The movie begins with an impressive action scene where an airplane is about to crash, and two people manage to save it.
Among these rescuers are Interpol officer Khalid Al-Ajazi (Ahmad Edge) and Heli Abu Daud (Karim Abdel Aziz), who is not only a criminal but also a key member of the notorious Seven Dogs syndicate. The initial airplane scene sets the tone for the entire film: continuous action, filming in various countries, weapons, explosions, and practically no time to catch one's breath.
Khalid is preparing to step away from field operations as he plans to get married and desires a quiet life, but his plans quickly fall apart. A dangerous drug called Pink Lady begins spreading within the international criminal network, forcing Khalid back into the fight for one last mission.
An interesting plot twist is that in this mission, he is helped by the very criminal whom Khalid had previously arrested and even saved—Heli. Although a partnership between a policeman and a criminal is not new in cinema, '7 Dogs' scales this old formula to a massive international level.
Seven members of the syndicate are scattered across different countries, and attempts to capture them take the film from one location to another. This is simultaneously the main strength of the picture. Each new location brings its own unique flavor of action. In the Chinese segment, the pace of the film gains a special rhythm; here, the action is shot with such grandeur that '7 Dogs' ceases to be just a noisy action thriller and becomes truly engaging.
The famous Cantonese song 'A Thousand Que Songs' by Priscilla Chan plays in this sequence, creating powerful energy and bringing a strange lightness amidst such brutal action. Directors Adil Al-Arbi and Bilal Fallah, known for films like 'Bad Boys for Life' and 'Bad Boys: Ride or Die', know how to make action not just through fighting and stunts, but also entertainingly. In this regard, Ahmad Edge carries a significant part of the load; his screen presence is imposing, he looks charismatic and completely convincing in his role, and he is organic within the constantly complicating world of action.
There is also light humor in the film. Amidst a series of tense action scenes, Khalid receives a call from his future fiancée, and he worries more about where the wedding should take place while barely saving his own life. Such small moments give the audience a break amidst the film's continuous rush.
For the Indian audience, the main magnet of the film is clearly Salman Khan and Sanjay Dutt. Despite their appearance generating great interest, the time spent by them on screen proved disappointing. Nevertheless, both actors leave their mark while in front of the camera. Salman plays the character Johar, Khalid's close assistant, and gains his own charm, action, and even a funny ride in an auto-rickshaw.
Sanjay Dutt plays the role of Ranjit, one of the criminals in the Indian chapter. His character gives him more opportunities for active action. The scene where Salman and Sanjay are together is one of the funniest parts of the film, especially because they are not presented as heroes of traditional Hindi films. In one fight scene, they fight while holding selfie sticks and cameras, as if they have turned into vloggers. It is strange and slightly comical, but memorable.
The film then moves from the desert regions of Las Vegas to Julia, played by Monica Bellucci. Bellucci is one of the strongest aspects of '7 Dogs'. She brings a certain grace and sense of danger to such a picture that is usually absent in narratives filled with male action. It is important to note that the film does not limit women merely to decoration or emotional support for the male characters; Khalid's female colleagues also have a place in the action. This shift in the tradition of action films, where women are often either glamorous or emotional anchors, looks positive.
Nevertheless, '7 Dogs' is not just a story of power and bullets. The plot also touches upon Khalid's past and the death of his father. On the other hand, Heli's wife and child become part of his emotional journey. Khalid's upcoming wedding adds a personal stake to the story. The problem is that none of these aspects are given sufficient depth. There are relationships, family histories, emotional stakes, but there is very little feeling. The film wants the audience to care about these characters, but it lacks it.
