Karthik Subbaraj’s Retro, starring Suriya and Pooja Hegde and released on 1 May 2025, is a nostalgic period crime saga set across the 1960s to 1990s. With its retro-noir aesthetic and bold ambition, the film offers moments of brilliance—especially in style and performances—but struggles with pacing and cohesion. Here is your complete Retro Movie Review.

What Is Retro About? – Retro Movie Review

Retro follows Paari (Suriya), an orphan raised by gangster Thilagan (Joju George). As he grows, Paari becomes the trusted lieutenant—until grief and love motivate him toward redemption. His relationship with Rukmini (Pooja Hegde) leads to conflict, betrayal, and a journey to a remote island where superstition and power collide around a hidden gold consignment and mythical beliefs.

Cast & Performances — Retro Movie Review

• Suriya as Paari / Paarivel Kannan: He anchors the film with intense internal conflict and screen magnetism. His stoic persona and rare depiction of a man unable to smile make the film’s emotional core believable.
• Pooja Hegde as Rukmini: A graceful presence who lends emotional depth, though critics note limited character development and chemistry with Suriya.
• Joju George as Thilagan: Suriya’s adoptive gangster father, delivering crucial emotional tension and mentor–protégé warmth in the early film stages.
• Support Cast: Includes Jayaram, Nassar, Prakash Raj, and Karunakaran—though many of their characters feel underwritten or caricatured in the sprawling narrative.

Direction & Storytelling — Retro Movie Review

Karthik Subbaraj’s Ambitious Direction

Subbaraj imbues Retro with stylish visuals, layered references, and genre blending—but at the cost of narrative clarity. Despite plotting multiple arcs, the film’s second half loses cohesion and focus amid mythological detours and overcrowded subplots.

Screenplay & Structure

The screenplay divides the film into thematic chapters—Love, Laugh, War, and so on—but fails to sustain momentum. While the first acts build intrigue, the latter portion devolves into repetitive savior motifs and overextended island sequences.

Visuals, Music & Technical Aspects — Retro Movie Review

• Cinematography (Shreyaas Krishna) transports viewers across eras with retro color palettes and impressive single-shot sequences—particularly during the viral “Kanimaa” song.
• Music (Santhosh Narayanan) is a high point: both chart-worthy tracks like “Kannadi Poove” and the atmospheric background score elevate emotional and action sequences.
• Sound & Editing: While technically polished, the editing becomes limp in parts, especially during the film’s sprawling climax.

What Works in Retro — Retro Movie Review

1. Stylish World-Building – Retro-noir visuals, period design, and ambitious staging stand out.
2. Suriya’s Central Performance – His charisma carries even uneven plot turns.
3. Music & Cinematic Design – Soundtrack and cinematography often rescue scenes that might otherwise fall flat.

What Doesn’t Work — Retro Movie Review

1. Second-Half Drag – The narrative loses focus after the interval, devolving into clichés and myth-heavy subplots.
2. Underdeveloped Characters – Beyond the leads, many supporting characters feel underexplored or unnecessarily quirky.
3. Overstretched Ambition – The film attempts style layering and thematic breadth—but often sacrifices clarity and emotional payoff to do so.

Reddit & Audience Reactions

Fans on Reddit celebrated Joju George’s presence and Suriya’s charismatic comeback, while also expressing concern over the film’s genre overload:

“When I saw the Retro Teaser, I was impressed by Joju George’s appearance. … He’s playing Surya’s father, right?”

Still, criticisms echoed regarding plot inconsistency and subplots that detract from the core story.

Final Verdict — Retro Movie Review

Retro is a stylish, ambitious gangster romance that earns praise for its lead performance, music, and visual flair—but uneven storytelling and overstuffed narrative hold it back. It’s a film for those who value mood and aesthetic over emotional coherence.

It may not redefine its genre, but it does offer a visual spectacle anchored by Suriya’s presence and bold technical craft.

Should You Watch Retro?

• ✅ Yes, if you appreciate technical bravura, stylized period films, and strong lead performances.
• ❌ Maybe skip, if you prefer tight storytelling, emotional clarity, or lean, thematic focus.

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