Anddd, it is finally hereee! The much-awaited Archies movie is finally here and there’s a lot of talk everywhere. Zoya Akhtar, the maestro of Bollywood vibes, takes us on a time-traveling trip with ‘The Archies,’ a live-action bonanza of Archie Comics (read as:- a live-action soft launch of half a dozen star kids). The trailer was a fun dose of teenage drama, retro feels, and a sprinkle of Bollywood magic. But, does the movie hit the right notes, or is it just another party with no DJ? I’m afraid it is the second one ://
Plot
Picture this: Archie Andrews (played by the charming Agastya Nanda), the heartthrob with dreams of college in London, a lovesick Betty Cooper (Khushi Kapoor), and the comeback of the rich heiress Veronica Lodge (Suhana Khan). It’s 1964, the year of Nehru’s departure, and things are about to get groovy. The plot takes a Bollywood twist as the teenagers navigate love, friendship, and societal changes while attempting to save their cultural hub, Green Park, from being replaced by a luxury hotel. Think of it as ‘Saving Private Green Park,’ with a dash of teenage hormones. All of it seems so happening na? There’s nostalgia, there’s activism, but even then it feels bland and simple.
Performances
Agar pura nahi padhna toh ye padhlo- the performances are simply mid asf. Now, I know I’m being harsh on their debut performances, but it is what it is. All of them have poor dialogue delivery, and the acting seems very immature. Be it Agastya Nanda playing Archie Andrews, the heartthrob with dreams of college in London, or Suhana Khan as Veronica, torn between daddy’s shrewdness and loyalty to her buddies– the acting just doesn’t do justice to the characters. Now, do we blame the script or their skills? Doesn’t really matter, cuz as Charansh said, this movie felt like a bunch of kids acting in a movie for a college project. The only silver lining for me was Mihir Ahuja as Jughead.
Direction and Writing
Zoya Akhtar transforms the iconic characters into a musical comedy extravaganza, trying to make it Bollywood’s own. Yet, it’s like serving biryani at a pizza party — familiar but not quite fitting. The film feels a tad too idealistic, and veryyy self-aware. Zoya’s attempt to balance it all is like trying to ride a unicycle on a tightrope – ambitious but not always steady. As for the writing, I really liked those heartwarming moments revolving around the parents in the second half. But there are sudden random, useless subplots that ruin the vibe and contribute literally NOTHING to the story. 143 minutes ki run time mein 50 mins toh bass trivial subplots mein nikal jaate hai:// They legit went “idhar chala, main udhar chala” when it came to subplots *crying*
Screenplay and Cinematography
Get ready to tap those feet because the musical numbers are the life of this party. Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, Ankur Tewari, The Islanders, and Dot throw in tracks like ‘Dhishoom Dhishoom,’ ‘Sunoh,’ and ‘Va Va Voom.’ Gautam Hegde’s choreography is fun, BUT WHAT ARE THOSE STEPS FOR VERONICA????? Someone pleaseeee explain. Cinematically, we’re taking a trip back to the 60s with a retro look that’s as nostalgic as your grandma’s old photo album. The cycling scene at dusk and the handcuffed Jughead interrogation are like the cherry on top, making you wish for more retro goodness.
Seedhi baat- bilkul maza nahi aaya guys, upar se time bhi waste hogaya. Imagine someone gifts you something. It is in a very beautifully wrapped box and you’re all excited to open it. But the moment you open it, you find that it is empty. Kaisa lagega? Waisa hi laga ‘The Archies’ ke saath. They should’ve cut off all the subplots and simply restricted it to the ‘Saving Green Park’ storyline IMO. Absolute shocker from Zoya Akhtar. Pls pls pls pls skip.
