The Archies Review: The Unimpressive Band

If you’ve grown up with The Archies or are in your teens, this film could strike a chord and be relatable. However, for those from a different age, especially amidst releases like Jawan, Leo, and Tiger 3, The Archies might feel too melodramatic and out of place. Zoya Akhtar’s decision to release it on OTT is commendable, considering the target audience might not have ventured into theatres.

Despite efforts to connect with Indian audiences through a story about an Anglo-Indian community, the movie might not resonate with the majority. As a longtime fan of the comic book, I personally found the film mediocre and overly long. A tighter screenplay could have made it more engaging, especially given the current trend of fast-paced storytelling. Farhan Akhtar’s dialogue did not significantly enhance the screenplay of the movie.

The film, being a musical, featured above-average songs, though expectations from Shankar Ehsan Loy may have been too high. The social message for the upcoming generation, while present, didn’t come across clearly, perhaps overshadowed by the pastel cinematography and the prominence of star kids.

While the movie heavily emphasized its cast in recent months, only Mihir Ahuja’s character stood out as entertaining. A notable positive was the actors’ faithful portrayal of their characters in terms of attire, making it easy for fans of the comics to recognize everyone from Dilton to Mr. Lodge. Vinay Pathak and Jamie Alter brought an unexpected charm to the movie, yet regrettably, their screen time was limited. The same holds true for Aly Khan.

Agastya Nanda, Khushi Kapoor, and Suhana Khan delivered average performances with lackluster dialogue delivery. On the other hand, Vedang Raina and Dot showcased commendable acting. The absence of a well-known figure like Boman Irani or Satish Shah for the role of Pop Tate was a disappointment. Unfortunately, achieving the perfect blend for The Archies seems like an unattainable feat.