Retro

A perfect blend of love, laughter, and war, delivered on every level. Karthik Subbaraj is one of the few directors who never sticks to a formula. With each film, he experiments - be it with genre, structure, or storytelling style. It's a constant trial-and-error journey, and "Retro" is no exception. Here, he attempts to bridge artistic cinema with mainstream appeal, layering the narrative with deeper themes. For KS, cinema isn't about playing it safe - it's about pushing boundaries.

I don't wanna yap about the first half because by the time the interval hits, you realise you've been watching something quietly epic. It's not just good - it's pure cinema.

"Retro" stands out for its technical brilliance, with every department deserving praise. Particularly remarkable is the 15-minute single-shot sequence, which is nothing short of outstanding.

The action? Absolutely electric. It's raw, gripping, and beautifully choreographed action which felt like being on steroids. It might be the talk of the town. Visually, it's a stunner with brilliant cinematography by Shreyaas Krishna. The editing deserves a praise, and the costume design stands out - subtle yet effective, contributing significantly to the overall authenticity and mood of the film.

SaNa - what a soundtrack. From emotional ballads to high-octane BGM, the music elevated everything. "Edharkaga Marubadi" and "The One" are going to be on repeat for a while. It's the kind of score that stays with you long after the credits roll.

The entire cast shines, especially Joju George, Pooja Hegde, Vithu and Jayaram, with each actor fitting their role perfectly And then there's Suriya. His role is more than just strong; it's beautifully layered and his presence is magnetic. Fierce, emotional, and deeply human as he brings a quiet intensity to the role. Every movement, every glance is charged with a meaning. There's a fire in his eyes that fuels the entire film. He brings both rage and vulnerability- this isn't just one of his best roles, it's a defining moment in his career.

PS: He didn't just light up a cigarette but damn, he lit up the entire theatre.

Not exactly a letdown, but definitely a case of mis-promotion. It was made to seem like a full-blown romance, but it's actually more of an action drama with romantic undercurrents. That shift might throw some viewers off, but it didn't bother me much. Still a solid entry in Suriya-Subbu catalog.

On top of that, the humour worked for me. It brought a much needed balance to the intensity, and I hope it lands as well with everyone else.

Big love to Karthik Subbaraj, SaNa, and the entire team for pulling off something this bold and beautiful. Waiting and hoping this combo teams up again and soon.

Watched Retro with decent expectations-it looked cool from the trailer, and the idea had promise. The visuals and vibe were pretty solid, and I liked the music. It really tried to give off that gritty retro feel, and some scenes did pull me in, especially in the first half. The lead actor did a good job carrying the story, and the action was alright.

But after a point, it kinda lost me. The pacing slowed down, and it felt like the plot wasn't going anywhere. Some characters didn't feel fully developed, especially the villain-just felt flat and predictable. There were scenes that should've hit hard emotionally, but they didn't land. Felt like it needed tighter writing and maybe a bit more depth.

Overall, not a bad movie, but not great either. It's watchable, especially if you're into dark, stylish thrillers-but don't expect anything too deep or mind-blowing. I'd say it's okay for a one-time watch.

Rating - 3.5/5

A perfectly blended mystery action spoof mass entertainer enriched with performances,standout and realistic narrative by Karthik Subbaraj.

The story is about an orphaned guy who grew under the influence of a gangster gang was forced to be reformed for good by his girlfriend but what destiny gifted him was a life altering situation showing the purpose of his life.

The story penned by Karthik Subbaraj stands out through his unique storytelling style like in his other films. He has cooked a stylish entertainer mixing action, romance, humour, emotions, torture, family drama & revenge incorporated through a decent screenplay narration and is evident through the way the entire story is layered and how he joints all the dots finally. Hats off for the brilliant and selective pool of casting in the film leaving avenues for their performances.

Startling performance by Suriya and his action sequences and the dialogue rendering is impressive matching the mood of the character shade. He has done a good romantic combo with Pooja Hegde. Jayaram, Joju George, Vidhyashankar, Nasser & Tamizh made impressive performances.

Shreyas Krishna has brilliantly captured the realistic and beautiful frames across terrains with precise lighting that has been trimmed to an action mass entertainer by Shafique Mohammed Ali. Kudos to the action choreographers for the stylish action sequences in the movie.

A good action mass entertainer by Karthik Subbaraj that is worth a watch.

I stand with Selvaragavan, After 2020 March the world has changed,Corona has changed the peoples minds, we enjoy only entertainment, we do not bother about the story or stroy line, we come to theatre only to spend our valuable time into a laughable time, but that too we miss it, we miss vivek sir. He too was taken by Corona. This movie is nothing but a childish remake of Ayirathil Oruvan,The original source of the story is the story of Exodus. Santhash Narayanan also didnt do justice for the movie by his music only Ilayarajas songs were used but nothing surpasses Rajinikanths Johnny. We lost our Ice Quarter.

Karthik Subbaraj's latest offering follows in the footsteps of his earlier films-ambitious in length and stuffed with more elements than a buffet plate at a wedding. The story juggles fresh ideas with some relics from the cinematic Stone Age, creating a mix that's uneven but occasionally intriguing.

The narration bears Subbaraj's signature-stylized, layered, and occasionally indulgent. It's a heady cocktail of drama, crime, action, and a social message thrown in for good measure, though not always blended smoothly.

The period setting and costume design, unfortunately, don't do much to transport us. Some scenes are crafted with flair, but much of the film feels like a slow jog through mediocrity.

Surya, ever the dependable performer, delivers yet another stellar turn in the lead. Joju George is excellent, making the most of every frame he appears in. As for Pooja Hegde-let's just say we've set our expectations at sea level, and she comfortably meets them. Blame the makeup team for some unflattering moments, not the mirror. The supporting cast does their job without making much noise.

The background score is decent, though it never soars. Cinematography is competent, with a few standout shots that show visual creativity.

Watch it if the promos got your attention, but leave your expectations at the door. It's not a bad film-just one that settles for being average when it could have aimed higher.