In the ever-evolving landscape of creative reinterpretations, iconic concepts are periodically revisited.
Whether through Sherlock Holmes spin-offs or the multilingual adaptations of gripping narratives like Money Heist, familiar ideas continue to find new expressions.
Archie Comics, a timeless creation dating back to the early 1940s, has undergone multiple transformations over the years.
Originally conceived by Bob Montana and John L. Goldwater, it has now taken shape in an Indian cinematic venture titled The Archies, directed by Zoya Akhtar.
Regrettably, the film has generated more buzz for the inclusion of debutant ‘star kids’ than for its cinematic merits.
Clocking in at over two hours, the movie is presented as an inherently charming and feel-good experience.
In this review, I delve into the various aspects that shape the film.
The Archies (2023) Synopsis
Love, friendship, and a growing sense of oneness come together when Riverdale’s iconic Green Park is threatened by industrial development.
Archie and his friends have a task at hand. Can they achieve it?
Directed by Zoya Akhtar, the film stars Agastya Nanda (Archie), Khushi Kapoor (Betty), Yuvraj Menda (Dilton), Mihir Ahuja (Jughead), Vedang Raina (Reggie), Suhana Khan (Veronica),
The Archies: Positives
Traditionally, Archie Comics adaptations have been about charm and warmth. They play more on the teenage aspect than anything else.
The same goes with this Indian retelling, where all the characters remain the same, even the parents of the kids.
No Indianness has been introduced to the names, at least, and originality has been maintained. The plot, however, sees alterations in several ways to relate to the Indian audiences.
A businessman sets foot in Riverdale City and vows to transform its industrial infrastructure. For development, ecology must be sacrificed.
So, the Green Park has to go. However, it is a much loved and revered place in both the historical and present sense of Riverdale.
When its existence is threatened, Archie and his friends rally together to save it, all while navigating personal dynamics, including love triangles and squares (at times).
The concept won’t be an issue, in my opinion, simply because it has been tried and tested over the years.
Talking about the storyline, it embraces a lighthearted tone and juggles between banters, name-calling, and ambitions, eventually ending with a social message that will resonate with teenagers.
Also, the infusion of patriotic wisdom along with friendship goals works well.
The film’s screenplay is vibrant, if not astutely towering. You will find allure, charm, and warmth in the buzzing environment.
If I were to delve further, I would call The Archies a surface-level attempt at creating magic. More about the downsides later.
How are the Performances?
Suhana Khan is adorable and she succeeds in honing the mischievous traits of Veronica. Plus, her experimental gazes are also bubbly.
Khan mesmerizes you with her expressions and you may doubt if it really is her first outing in a film of such magnitude.
Obviously, going ahead will need growing but this is a brilliant start to her acting career.
Khushi Kapoor as Betty is a natural performer. Her conversational aptitude makes the show grab its intimate limelight.
Since this is her debut as well, getting too critical would be unfair. She has the talent and just needs a bit more attention to detail for a better overall presentation.
Agastya Nanda in the titular role of Archie displays impeccable determination. The character’s notorious stints are perfectly grasped by Nanda’s mature demeanor.
You may find flaws in him but those will be overshadowed by his virtual instinct to grow on you as an actor.
Vedang Raina is Reggie in The Archies. He also appears on top as the direct competitor to the main protagonist.
I liked his body language and his handling of turbulences.
Everybody else, including Mihir Ahuja and Yuvraj Menda, has done a brilliant job in The Archies. The Indian adaptation works mostly because of the performances more than anything else.
The Archies: Downsides
Zoya Akhtar is known for endearing tales filled with lots of soothing songs. However, The Archies is a mixed bag when it comes to music.
There are many melodies, mostly relying on their lyrical value. Still, something seems amiss since the sound fails to inject emotions into your heart.
The expected elevation doesn’t come from music, unfortunately.
Furthermore, The Archies should have been funnier, considering its teenage nature. On the contrary, the attempted humor results in mild chuckles, at best.
It is an area that could have given the film an upper hand.
Also, I felt The Archies suffers from a character boom. A lot of individuals make their way to the screen and then leave. So, it becomes tough to keep hold of the family trees.
This is why I believe that an eight-episode series would have worked better for Indian audiences than a movie.
Riverdale is a world that needs no introduction elsewhere but, in India – a country that doesn’t read much – you need to first develop a connection for the viewers to shower love on your fictional sphere.
Lastly, emotional realizations do not strike a chord, especially, in the final thirty minutes.
Things happen so quickly that Archie’s resurgent desire to do something for the neighborhood feels superficial.
You can call it a lack of authenticity in terms of writing, but I think it is more about giving time to the existing emotion to grow and flourish.
Akhtar has done it plenty of times before without a flaw. On this occasion, maybe, she was constrained because of the source material.
Stream or Skip?
The Archies is just a pastime film and nothing more than that. If you have something better to watch, skip this one.
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