Retro Movie Review: Suriya Dazzles in a Film That Struggles to Find Its Rhythm
Release Date: May 1, 2025
Starring: Suriya, Pooja Hegde, Joju George, Jayaram, Vidhu, Nassar, Prakash Raj
Director: Karthik Subbaraj
Music: Santhosh Narayanan
Cinematography: Shreyaas Krishna
Editor: Shafique Mohamed Ali
Produced by: Jyotika, Suriya
Rating: ★★¾ (2.75/5)
Overview:
With Retro, director Karthik Subbaraj brings together an ambitious blend of genres and a star-studded cast led by Suriya. Set against a stylized backdrop with elements of crime, romance, and redemption, the film had all the ingredients to be a memorable ride. But does it manage to balance its many moving parts? Let’s take a closer look.
Plot Summary:
Tilak (Joju George), a powerful underworld smuggler, raises Paarivel Kannan (Suriya) as his own. When Paarivel falls in love with Rukmini (Pooja Hegde), he yearns to leave behind his violent world. But Tilak’s obsession with a mysterious item known as the ‘Gold Fish’ drags Paarivel back into the chaos. Caught in a web of betrayal and escape, Paarivel finds himself aided by a mysterious figure, King Michael (Vidhu), raising questions about motives and loyalty. As the layers peel back, the true purpose behind Paarivel’s choices comes into focus.
What Works:
- Suriya carries the film with an intense performance, donning different looks to reflect the character’s evolution. Whether it’s the emotional beats or action-heavy moments, his screen presence remains magnetic.
- Santhosh Narayanan’s music stands out, bringing energy and soul to key sequences. Songs and background score alike enhance the mood, especially during the film’s standout action set pieces.
- The single-take fight sequence around the Kannamma song is well-executed and showcases some of the best choreography in the film.
- Pooja Hegde adds grace to the screen, although her role is underutilized. Vidhu, as the unpredictable antagonist, adds intrigue, particularly in the latter portions of the film.
What Falls Short:
- The biggest drawback is the lack of narrative focus. Retro attempts to mix genres—romance, crime, drama, and thriller—but ends up feeling scattered. The shifts in tone don’t always feel organic, leaving viewers uncertain about the film’s core theme.
- The second half falters, with a sluggish pace and a storyline that doesn’t build enough tension or emotional depth. The film starts with promise but loses steam before the climax.
- Supporting characters, including veterans like Jayaram, Nassar, and Prakash Raj, are barely given meaningful moments. Their talents feel wasted in roles that contribute little to the film’s emotional or narrative arc.
- The screenplay misses emotional payoffs, and character motivations are often unclear, weakening the impact of major developments.
Technical Review:
- Karthik Subbaraj’s direction aims for scale and style, but the film’s internal logic and storytelling structure don’t quite hold up. The result is a movie that looks better than it feels.
- Shreyaas Krishna’s cinematography offers some visually impressive frames, but the camera work alone isn’t enough to lift the film.
- Editing could have been tighter. Prolonged scenes and uneven pacing drag the film in crucial moments.
- On the positive side, production design is strong, giving the film a polished, high-budget look.
Final Verdict:
Retro is a visually stylish film with a strong lead performance from Suriya and a pulsating soundtrack. However, it suffers from inconsistent storytelling, weak character development, and a confusing genre mix. While it may appeal to die-hard fans of Suriya and lovers of stylized cinema, others might find it difficult to stay engaged throughout. It’s a film with ambition, but the execution doesn’t quite hit the mark.
Rating: 2.75/5
