'The Archies' movie review: Too simple, but the kids are all right.

Zoya Akhtar's take on Archie Comics provides a warm and delightful option for a Christmas viewing, offering a visually pleasing and emotionally comforting experience. Yet, considering the director's pedigree, it leaves a sense of disappointment.

As Suhana Khan, Shah Rukh Khan's daughter, and Khushi Kapoor, Boney Kapoor's daughter, step into Zoya Akhtar's "The Archies," the cheerful opening number 'Sunoh' warmly introduces them. Notably, the names 'suhani' and 'khushi' resound on the track in an overtly conspicuous manner. It raises the question of whether the credit for this luminous concept goes to the seasoned lyricist Javed Akhtar or his co-songwriter Dot. Regardless, it conveys a somewhat misguided message. These young actors are just beginning their journey in the world of cinema, and yet, they seem to be exerting a noticeable influence.

It was a delightful surprise to discover that Akhtar would be directing a live-action Indian adaptation of Archie Comics. If you grew up in the 80s and 90s and frequented railway station bookstalls, you would be familiar with the original comics and the fundamental character types and premise. For those unfamiliar, there is five decades of Hindi romantic cinema to draw from. From "Bobby" to "Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar" to "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai," our films have consistently borrowed from the Archie template and mood board. This obsession persists into the present age, evident in films like the two "Student of the Year" installments or the visual design of Rohit Shetty’s hill station comedies.

Regrettably, this poses a challenge for Akhtar and co-writers Reema Kagti and Ayesha Devitre Dhillon. They understand that Indian audiences are well-acquainted with the Archie setup, especially the famous love triangle at its core. As astute creators, they aim to offer something more than basic and mundane. However, partnering with Netflix, which already features "Riverdale," prompts the need for their Indian Archie to have a distinct look and feel. Akhtar strives to strike a balance but falls short. Her film feels nostalgic, idealistic... simplistic.

The Riverdale of this Archies adaptation is an idyllic hill station in 1960s India. It’s introduced to us in loving terms by Archie Andrews (Agastya Nanda), who is 17 and fronts a band. His plane Jane neighbour, Betty Cooper (Khushi Kapoor), nurses a crush on him. While Archie is making plans to begin college in London — “What if Cliff Richard had never left Lucknow?” he asks his parents — his ex, heiress Veronica Lodge (Suhana Khan), has just returned from there. Veronica’s father, Hiram (Alyy Khan), has sinister plans to redevelop the town, converting its centrally-placed Green Park into a luxury hotel. It’s the year of Nehru’s death, 1964, so it is feasible that capitalism is afoot.