Fri May 02 04:00:00 UTC 2025: ## Suriya’s “Retro” Receives Mixed Reviews: A Promising Start, a Disappointing Finish

**Chennai, May 1, 2025** – Suriya’s highly anticipated film, “Retro,” directed by Karthik Subbaraj and released today, has received a mixed response from critics. While the film boasts strong performances from Suriya and a captivating musical score by Santhosh Narayanan, its muddled narrative and weak second half have left audiences wanting more.

The film, a blend of romance, action, and crime drama, follows Paarivel Kannan (Suriya), an adopted son of a notorious gangster, who attempts to escape his criminal past for love. However, his past catches up, forcing him on a perilous journey involving a mysterious entity known as the “Gold Fish.”

Suriya delivers a commendable performance, showcasing his versatility across multiple looks and action sequences. Pooja Hegde, while elegant on screen, is underutilized. Joju George and Vidhu provide supporting roles, with Vidhu’s performance as the antagonist particularly noteworthy. The film also features a strong supporting cast, including Jayaram, Nassar, and Prakash Raj, though their roles are largely underdeveloped.

While the first half maintains a relatively engaging pace, the second half suffers from a meandering plot and a lack of narrative clarity. Critics point to a poorly developed screenplay, weak character arcs, and a confusing blend of genres as major flaws. The film’s ambitious genre-bending ultimately undermines its coherence.

Despite the narrative shortcomings, the film benefits from strong production values, striking visuals courtesy of Shreyaas Krishna’s cinematography, and a standout musical score by Santhosh Narayanan that elevates several scenes. However, the editing could have been tighter, with many scenes feeling unnecessarily stretched.

123telugu.com awarded the film a rating of 2.75/5, summarizing the general critical consensus. While Suriya’s dedicated performance and Santhosh Narayanan’s music are praised, the film’s overall execution is deemed underwhelming. Unless you’re a die-hard Suriya fan, it is recommended to approach “Retro” with tempered expectations.

Read More