The Archies
By Jennifer Green,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Comic book-based Indian musical has mild language.
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The Archies
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Based on 3 parent reviews
What's the Story?
Archie (Agastya Nanda), Betty (Khushi Kapoor), Veronica (Suhana Khan), Reggie (Vedang Raina), Jughead (Mihir Ahuga), and the gang are in their final year of high school in Riverdale, a small enclave in India characterized by its Anglo-Indian roots, in THE ARCHIES. Archie's in a band and wants to move to London. He's also torn between his feelings for both Betty and Veronica. When the gang finds out that Veronica's dad, millionaire Hiram Lodge (Alyy Khan), is vying to tear down the city's beloved park to build a hotel, the kids pull together to try to rally the community to save the park.
Is It Any Good?
High School Musical meets Bollywood in this adorably upbeat and slightly surreal Indian take on the Archie Comics. The Archies won't be everyone's cup of chai, with its beautiful cast, corny jokes, and wide-eyed love songs (and definitely don't question its historical accuracy). But if you're willing to suspend notions of reality and go along for the ride, it's an enjoyably eccentric flashback to classical Hollywood teen musicals with the originality of an Indian setting and cast. Bad guy Hiram looks like an East Asian Clark Gable, menacing mustache and all, and the gorgeous cast is dressed to the 1960s nines. Perhaps because of the imagined time and place, they pull off an innocence the High School Musical kids only play at. But its themes of loving your friends, making your community your home, and listening to young people are universal.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what's changed and what's the same in this Indian version of the classic comic.
What did you take away from the history given in the collage opening credits of the film? Where could you go for more information about India's relationship with England and the role of the British there?
Could you draw a parallel between the teenagers' fight against Hiram's plans for the city park and India's fight last century for its independence? Where could you go for more information?
How do the teenagers demonstrate teamwork in trying to save Green Park? Why are they stronger and more effective as a group? Would they have been as successful without working together as a team?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: December 7, 2023
- Cast: Agastya Nanda , Khushi Kapoor , Suhana Khan
- Director: Zoya Akhtar
- Inclusion Information: Female directors, Female actors, Female writers
- Studio: Netflix
- Genre: Musical
- Topics: Activism , Book Characters , Friendship , High School , History , Music and Sing-Along
- Character Strengths: Teamwork
- Run time: 141 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: December 11, 2023
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