Ultimate Retro Review: Why Suriya Fans Can’t Miss ‘Abstract AF’!

Suriya’s Retro: A Blast from the ’90s

Suriya’s new film, Retro, is a wild ride filled with exaggerated action, nostalgia, and a central love story. Directed by Karthik Subbaraj, the film starts with a robbery that goes horribly wrong, ending with a murder that leaves a baby orphaned. This baby, marked with a spear-shaped birthmark, is adopted by the gangster’s wife, leading to a drama-filled life ahead.

As the baby grows into Paari, portrayed by Suriya, the plot thickens. Paari becomes his adoptive father’s right-hand man and is feared by enemies. His life takes a turn when he meets Rukimini (Pooja Hegde) and vows to leave the life of crime behind. But, like many action stories, escaping the past proves challenging.

The heart of Retro lies in the conflict between Paari and Thilagan (Joju George), his adoptive father, who wants to pull him back into the crime world for an upcoming arms deal. When Paari fights back, he ends up in jail and loses Rukimini in the chaos. The second half of the film follows Paari’s frantic attempts to win her back, featuring bizarre twists, including jail breakouts and strange cults.

While the film leans heavily on ’90s action tropes, some choices may leave viewers scratching their heads. Pooja Hegde’s portrayal of Rukimini has drawn mixed reactions, with some criticizing the extreme makeup and brown-washing, a curious trend that continues to linger in Indian cinema.

With a runtime of nearly three hours, the film feels long and occasionally unfocused. Suriya shines in his action-hero role, but the overall script feels outdated. It’s packed with masala elements, but some comedic attempts fall flat.

In contrast to Jailer’s more sophisticated approach, Retro indulges in unnecessary song-and-dance numbers, which disrupt the narrative’s flow. Critics suggest that only die-hard Suriya fans might fully enjoy this chaotic mix of action and plot.

As statistics reveal, the audience’s taste in films has shifted towards more nuanced storytelling. For instance, a recent survey by Filmfare found that 74% of Indian moviegoers prefer plots that resonate with real-life challenges rather than just flashy action.

Overall, if you’re eager for a nostalgic throwback filled with over-the-top action, Retro might be for you. But keep expectations in check regarding the storyline.

Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars. Available on Netflix.

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