Brother, I am very confused – not confused because I did not understand the film… confused because how can someone as talented as Surya be wasted like this again and again?
A film which has divided the public into two groups – some are calling it a masterpiece, and some are saying that nothing worthwhile has been made from it!
Plot Overview:
“Retro” is a kind of cinema that looks one thing and turns out to be something else. The story is about a strange island where people are slaves – under the control of a king who literally has a remote to people’s “breaths”.
Here goes the ‘Khel of Death’, a brutal fighting tournament where the losers become food for the king’s pet crocodile! And in the middle of all this, a love story has also been inserted – Surya has come to convince his wife. But brother, the story is so confusing that it is difficult to understand whether this is a story of love or a battle of madness!
Good Points – those that come from the heart:
- Surya’s acting: No doubt! The screen lights up in every scene where Surya is in. His identity is revealed in the climax – Goosebumps!
- One-Take Action Dance Sequence: There is a 10-15 minute sequence which has dance, fight, emotion, everything – in one take! Hats off.
- Visual Style: Kartik Subbaraj’s vision, his technical game is strong. Some scenes looked amazing as per the budget.
But the Problem Starts Here:
- Storytelling Confusion: The story starts with a boy’s personal fight and ends with a god-like climax! Brother, the director himself would not know what turns the script took in between.
- Lack of Strong Villain: In a mass film, unless the villain is strong, the hero’s shine seems incomplete. And the villain here seems more like a joker.
- Hindi Dubbing – The biggest crime: Absolutely bad! Half the impact of the movie ends here.
- Missed Opportunity for a Massy Avatar: After Rolex, everyone was expecting Surya’s ‘mass side’ – but even if it was shown here, it was incomplete.
Cinematic Attempt vs Execution:
Kartik Subbaraj tried to show a very different, out-of-the-box vision – he adapted the story of Lord Krishna into a modern action drama. The idea was great, but the execution turned out to be average. The film seemed to be made for itself, not for the audience.
Final Verdict:
“Retro” is a film that will appeal to some audiences, but may not connect with mainstream audiences. If you are a hardcore Surya fan or appreciate Karthik’s unique style, then you can give it a try.
Rating: 2.5/5 (from me)
1 star for Suriya
1 for climax presentation and one-take sequence
0.5 just for the guts – to tell such a story
Rest, whether to book the ticket or not is your risk!
Outro:
If you too are confused after watching “Retro”, then do share your reactions in the comments below. Next time maybe Surya will get the film he deserves.
Till then – Take care, be safe, and keep loving cinema.
Bye-bye!