Movie Name: Retro
Rating: 2.25/5
Cast: Suriya, Pooja Hegde, Joju George, Jayaram and others
Director: Karthik Subbaraj
Produced By: Suriya and Jyothika
Release Date: 1st May 2025
Suriya’s latest movie is Retro. Directed by Karthik Subbaraj, the film’s songs/teaser/trailer have generated a decent buzz among audiences. The fans expect it to be the comeback film of their favorite hero. Let’s check whether these expectations came to reality in our review of Suriya’s Retro.
Story:
Tilak (Joju George) is a infamous smuggler. Paarivel Kannan (Suriya), his adopted son, loves Rukmini (Pooja Hegde) and abandons his criminal past and family for a peaceful life. Tilak pursues the elusive ‘Gold Fish,’ while only Paarivel holds knowledge of its location. An unexpected leds Paari into jail, and the rest of the story is about whether he wins back Rukku’s love. Also, he has to face Tilak and his partners who are hellbent on pursuing the “Gold Fish”.
Performances:
Despite Suriya’s genuine effort, flawed characterization restricts his performance. Pooja Hegde’s new role differs from her glam image, yet it fails to make an impact beyond her appearance. Joju George gets wasted in hero’s father character, while Jayaram, Karunakaran, Nassar, and Prakash Raj have little to do.
Analysis:
Karthik Subbaraj directs Retro. The director explores three themes: Love, Laughter, and War. The early scenes, including the hero’s childhood, romantic moments, and the continuous shot around the Kannamma song, effectively enhance the film. Following that, the narrative diverges. Karthik blends various genres, combining romance and action, without a clear focus. Beginning as a love story, the film turns into a crime drama and then shifts again in the second half, puzzling viewers.
The second half feels aimless and lacks focus, leading to a disappointing experience. The script appears shallow, and many scenes disappoint without a strong conclusion. Joju George and Suriya’s relationship feels underdeveloped, weakening crucial moments. The climax appears as a foolish attempt instead of being humorous.
Positives:
- Initial Moments in the First Half
- Santosh Narayan’s Music
Negatives:
- Weak screenplay
- Dragged and Ineffective Scenes
- Lack of proper emotional impact
- Silly scenes towards climax
Retro Movie Review and Verdict:
Suriya’s Retro is an ambitious love action drama that fizzles out after a promising start. The film benefits from Suriya’s sincere work, good music, and creative ideas, yet suffers because of a chaotic screenplay and lackluster second half.
