Retro

This movie is all about the main character finding his purpose in life. It stars The One Suriya, with Pooja Hegde, Prakash Raj, Nassar, Jayaram, and Joju George. The music is by Santhosh Narayanan, and the film is written and directed by Karthik Subbaraj.

Suriya, as always, did a great job. I think this is the first time he played such a violent role. His attitude, body language, and expressions were perfect. He really brought the character to life. Pooja Hegde was a surprise in this film. She didn't play a typical glamorous role, but she still looked cute and beautiful. More importantly, her acting was really good. I hope she picks strong scripts like this in the future. Jayaram's role was also very interesting, and he played it well. And the music by Santhosh Narayanan was one of the biggest strengths of the film it added a lot to the mood and energy.

In the first half, there's a long single-shot sequence that includes a song, action, and conversations and they pulled it off really well. Before Suriya's entry, the film takes its time to build up his character and show how violent he is. Those scenes also highlight the relationship between him and his father.

The story mainly follows Suriya's character. At one point, he ends up in jail, where he punishes himself, learns new physical skills, and eventually takes control of the place. After the jail scenes, the story moves to the Andaman Islands, where most of the second half takes place.

The chemistry between Suriya and Pooja Hegde is really good. Their love story is written nicely and feels natural. However, in the second half, a conflict arises between them, and Suriya's character enters a darker, more aggressive phase kind of like a fight club. That is when the tone of the story changes completely and becomes more intense and action-heavy. Overall, the first half is excellent. It follows the two taglines: Love and Laughter, and the film maintains that mood really well. The scenes are written clearly with proper emotion and setup. At the same time, the film hints that the second half will be all about War

Now, here is the issue the second half did not work as well as the first. The first half was strong, with well-developed characters and conflicts. So, people expected the second half to be even better. But the writer suddenly introduced a new plot, and that shifted the story from being about characters to being about a big plot, If the new plot had been solid, it would have worked. But sadly, it felt similar to the Jigarthanda DoubleX, The film started as a love story with action, but halfway through, it felt like a different movie. That is why I am pointing out the problem because the first half had great setup and payoff, but the second half didn't continue that level of quality.

Personally, I still liked the movie. The only problem was the second half. If they had written it as well as the first half, it would have been a blockbuster. Still, it is a strong theatrical comeback for Suriya. I hope he continues to get more good films.

There is a line in the film: "Once upon a time, there lived a ghost."That line really fits Suriya. About 10 years ago, his choice of films and box office performance were amazing. Everyone goes through difficulties. I hope this movie marks a strong comeback for him.

I stand with Selvaragavan, After 2020 March the world has changed,Corona has changed the peoples minds, we enjoy only entertainment, we do not bother about the story or stroy line, we come to theatre only to spend our valuable time into a laughable time, but that too we miss it, we miss vivek sir. He too was taken by Corona. This movie is nothing but a childish remake of Ayirathil Oruvan,The original source of the story is the story of Exodus. Santhash Narayanan also didnt do justice for the movie by his music only Ilayarajas songs were used but nothing surpasses Rajinikanths Johnny. We lost our Ice Quarter.

Surya as "THE ONE"-an orphan with a Trishul birthmark and a destiny bigger than his brooding face-steals the show in this wild, episodic ride. The film's tagline promises Love, Laughter, War, and boy, do we get that... plus two more additions: Cult and Dhamam, which felt somewhat grafted on, diluting the initial focus.

Surya's going through, like, a really cool changes in this flick. There's the intense into the void zone, the "Anjala" reject, a rage-filled guy, someone trying way too hard to be funny (clown zone), the saviour type, and then straight-up God mode! Seriously, it's been ages since we've seen him this range, and honestly, he's the only reason this whole movie wasn't a complete snore-fest

Okay, so the coolest but also kinda messed up part? Watching Paari's journey from being treated like he's absolutely nobody, like he's invisible trash to everyone around him, to becoming the guy calling all the shots and finally finding what he's meant to do.

Now, about that ending-"Dei Subbu, how could you end it THERE?!" (Yes, I heard that in the theatre too.) But hey, it still wraps up well, and there are those extra scenes after the credits roll.

Okay, so not gonna sugar-coat it, this movie was a mess in parts. Pooja Hegde failed at attempting gravitas and all deep and meaningful. And that "rustic" makeup? Seriously looked like someone smeared her face with instant coffee! LOL. Total buzzkill. I just sat there thinking, "Man, they really couldn't find anyone else for this role?" And the villain more like a buffoon. What a joke! Just made the second half even worst. The music? Meh, felt like Santosh Narayan just recycled some old or rejected tunes from earlier films especially "Karnan." And that "Cult" episode? Officially the worst part of the film. The film also tried to be all clever with the social commentary and mythology, but it mostly just face-planted. You just wish the writing and everything else had half the effort Surya put in.

Ultimately, Karthick Subbaraj wants us to, like, engage with its deliberate, if uneven, resolution. There's this definite cerebral current, these thematic gestures, a message being attempted. You appreciate the intent. But you can't help thinking, with more developed context, a deeper emotional anchor, Chubbu's could've knocked this one out of the park. Still, gotta hand it to Surya, he's just there. He Makes "Retro" worth a look, a decent hang, for sure.

The story folds quite good for first half with good interval but after that the story began downhilled till the climax it has much potential to be a great film but got this stage because the director unable to properly connect the dots from first half in the second half as the second half give you a feels of watching another film hope he change that in his next film Now talks about acting Pooja's acting is good but expected more on her character little underfilled but on other note Suriya eppa dei eppadi ya ippadi ellam nadiara that mirror smilling scene !!!!!! What a acting but you need more focus on choosing better scripts and finally Santhosh narayan music is great and asset in the film, editing could have better,camera work is good other sides villian or to say Villain's easily describe in two word Dummy pieces. Its an decent film one time watchable because of Suriya's great acting and music other departments are ok with direction and editing below par

Best theatrical film for him since 24 film but excepting more from his.

The 2hr 40min film narrates the story of a traumatized and orphaned kid with deep seething anger management issues and abandonment issues. In the process of getting approval from his step-father, the male lead- "Paarivel" acted by veteran actor surya turns to violence which he later tries to abandon once and for all to be with his love interest , the female lead Rukmini"" whose role as a goody two shoes is portrayed by rising actress Pooja Hegde. While Paarivel had all the right intentions to become non-violent, he followed all the wrong methods.

I could not wrap my mind around why his fiance was never interested in knowing about the ill fated relationship between step-father and the step-son yet always blamed the male lead for often resorting to violence even though he was doing all of it to protect her. To top it off, he was not some misunderstood poor guy either. He constantly lied through his teeth to get her approval even though she gave him several chances. You'd think the male lead finally got himself into THERAPY, instead he doubles down on his alcohol driven violence and gets himself into a CULT!

His birthstory secrets were very predictable and nothing over the top. The antagonists roles were just cookie cutter versions- the ones our grandparents, our parents and we saw growing up- A very predictable and notorious Gang dad who raises his son to be violent and that son thinks he's "too cool" for anything and throws in random english words. All these does not make him seem edgy. He looked desperate and very out of touch. Would appreciate if he went out to go touch some grass.

Getting back to the finale which was the most predictable yet the most artificial part of the whole movie. I expected all the antagonists to get killed in a bloodbath fight sequel in almost every movie climax that has been featured for as long as i can remember but instead they all join the marriage ceremony of the two leads and call it "Happily ever after". The creative constipation and half baked narrative destroyed the potential that the musical and casts brought in. Its worth watching once. You will definitely like it if you are the actors fan. Eitherways i thank you for sticking around to read this review. I hope you have a good day.