Retro

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.

Retro is signature Karthik Subbaraj-style cinema. It's a love story with a lot of action. Good to see Suriya in top form with this performance. Pooja Hegde is very good at expressing the innocence and emotions required for her role. Jayaram portrays his character with enjoyable comic timing. The sound design and background score really support the film well and are praiseworthy. The songs are enjoyable-especially Kannima, which is well integrated into a 15-minute-long one-take sequence.

That sequence is pure brilliance and not to be missed.

3/3 The movie is divided into different segments, and most of them are well shot and engaging. The 'Cult' plot in the first half felt a bit slow and dull but compensates in the second.

The film does lose the spark momentarily but gets back on track eventually. The characters have been given a pulp fiction treatment through their costume design and development, and it works well within the world of the film.

The color palette and set design are noticeable and vibrant.

The action sequences are good and enjoyable. Overall, Retro is a classy Subbaraj-style storytelling experience, and its execution of a simple yet interesting story along with technical finesse makes it entertaining and fun to watch on screen for most of its runtime. Do give it a watch!

OVERALL 7/10.

This movie is all about the main character finding his purpose in life. It stars The One Suriya, with Pooja Hegde, Prakash Raj, Nassar, Jayaram, and Joju George. The music is by Santhosh Narayanan, and the film is written and directed by Karthik Subbaraj.

Suriya, as always, did a great job. I think this is the first time he played such a violent role. His attitude, body language, and expressions were perfect. He really brought the character to life. Pooja Hegde was a surprise in this film. She didn't play a typical glamorous role, but she still looked cute and beautiful. More importantly, her acting was really good. I hope she picks strong scripts like this in the future. Jayaram's role was also very interesting, and he played it well. And the music by Santhosh Narayanan was one of the biggest strengths of the film it added a lot to the mood and energy.

In the first half, there's a long single-shot sequence that includes a song, action, and conversations and they pulled it off really well. Before Suriya's entry, the film takes its time to build up his character and show how violent he is. Those scenes also highlight the relationship between him and his father.

The story mainly follows Suriya's character. At one point, he ends up in jail, where he punishes himself, learns new physical skills, and eventually takes control of the place. After the jail scenes, the story moves to the Andaman Islands, where most of the second half takes place.

The chemistry between Suriya and Pooja Hegde is really good. Their love story is written nicely and feels natural. However, in the second half, a conflict arises between them, and Suriya's character enters a darker, more aggressive phase kind of like a fight club. That is when the tone of the story changes completely and becomes more intense and action-heavy. Overall, the first half is excellent. It follows the two taglines: Love and Laughter, and the film maintains that mood really well. The scenes are written clearly with proper emotion and setup. At the same time, the film hints that the second half will be all about War

Now, here is the issue the second half did not work as well as the first. The first half was strong, with well-developed characters and conflicts. So, people expected the second half to be even better. But the writer suddenly introduced a new plot, and that shifted the story from being about characters to being about a big plot, If the new plot had been solid, it would have worked. But sadly, it felt similar to the Jigarthanda DoubleX, The film started as a love story with action, but halfway through, it felt like a different movie. That is why I am pointing out the problem because the first half had great setup and payoff, but the second half didn't continue that level of quality.

Personally, I still liked the movie. The only problem was the second half. If they had written it as well as the first half, it would have been a blockbuster. Still, it is a strong theatrical comeback for Suriya. I hope he continues to get more good films.

There is a line in the film: "Once upon a time, there lived a ghost."That line really fits Suriya. About 10 years ago, his choice of films and box office performance were amazing. Everyone goes through difficulties. I hope this movie marks a strong comeback for him.

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.