Merantau

Rejoice action fans over this region! South-east Asia has a new action hero hailing from Indonesia, and his name is Iko Uwais. We've already got Tony Jaa showcasing Thailand's Muay Thai, and now we've got Uwais to introduce a different brand of Silat which we have been exposed to thus far, thanks to the SEA Games but that's more like a Wushu event, which is more exhibition. It's still quite amazing to see what is usually seen on TV as executed in exhibition pace, to take on an entirely different form when in combat mode. Merantau - and Singapore has to add a "Warrior" to the title so that we know it's an action film, duh - is a well executed, entertaining film as far as actioners are concerned.

Uwais stars as Yuda, a coming of age young adult who has to leave his village and go through a rites of passage in a Merantau, which is something equivalent of an Australian aboriginal walkabout. He sets his sights on Jakarta and has plans to set up a Silat school, only for his contact to go missing with nary a trace. Bumming around while figuring out his next course of action, he chanced upon the siblings of Adit (Yusuf Aulia) and Astri (Sisca Jessica), the latter whom is picked up by gangsters to be part of a sex trafficking ring, and thus begin his discovery of his destiny and calling as the unofficial protector against the meek and weak.

Yes the storyline isn't much to behold naturally, though as far as action films go, this one satisfies its own cursory, flimsy tale to hold all the spectacular action sequences together, giving it some reason to have Uwais go on a rampage, showcasing personal prowess, and to add Silat as a martial arts of choice amongst so many that have its fair share of a cinematic outing, from Ip Man's Wing Chun, to Ong Bak's Muay Thai. It's hard hitting silat harimau here, which has its distinctive low centre of gravity positioning, sweeping leg motions to unbalance the opposition, and very direct and hard hitting palming aimed squarely at the opponent's chest to literally knock the wind out of.

What also worked here is the action cinematography. We all remember how Jaa smashed into the scene with its repetitive action sequences cut from different camera angles, done ad nausem. Here, the filmmakers had good sense in working a very wonderfully designed, and common sensical presentation in not relying on quick edits and jump cuts, allowing the action to flow naturally, and presented in its full glory. I particularly enjoyed moments where a revolving 360 degree view gets employed, especially when Yuda has to tackle opponents all round.

And Yuda is no one man superman too, which worked well for the story, having to see his fair share of failures, as well as shortcomings in his rookie fish-out-of-water situation. While there are moments inserted for dramatic breathing space, the action sequences aren't forgotten and got interspersed adequately within the first few acts, until the last one which became a non-stop, adrenaline pumping finale that was reminiscence of old Hong Kong action flicks, or even Bruce Lee ones, where the protagonist go up against incredible odds, and one on one (or two) situations against Caucasian villains, who are portrayed here in quite over-the-top fashion in need of a good hard kick up the arse.

Granted this is no perfect film with a number of continuity errors spotted, the set action pieces were a sight to behold despite some moments being wire-obvious, mixing things up with components other than Silat all the way, with a few which stood out as campy fun. Keep your eye out for that towel scene, and one of my personal favourites was one that involved a bamboo pole which the trailer included. Uwais also proves that he's quite comfortable with the sickle and metallic staff / batons which got used quite frequently here by hero and villains alike.

Action junkies will do yourselves no favour if you miss Iko Uwais maiden cinematic outing on the big screen. It may not be perfect, but it mattered for what it set out to do – establish a new action hero from our region, and to promote the form of martial arts in Silat.

The main actor is legit. Which in the martial arts cinema is rarity. I actually saw his movie the Raid 1&2, which I liked so much because the whole movie is just so good from the fight scenes to the action choreography, its just insane. Some credit goes out tot he director too. Now this movie, seems like it has a lower budget as you can tell when watching, but the fight screens and camera work are there. The story needed to be a bit more developed but the fight screen between the silat friend in the elevator was pretty intense. I wished it was a bit longer but what he did at the end will have you rooting for him.

As for the 2 white bad guys at the end. Their style of fighting was kind of non believing. They could of done better. IDK, seems like something was very lacking.

I'm Indonesian and I'm super proud of this movie. It's the first to showcase a young Indonesian action hero, with unique Silat martial arts, and top quality movie making among problematic Indonesian cinema.

Having said that, there are things where it can be better. And I will try to be fair.

The pacing of the film gets slow at some points. Some shots could've been cut shorter and scenes can flow snappier, some dialogues more to the point (there isn't much dialogue, but when there is some, they lag), even some fighting scenes could be shorter.

The establishing scene of Yuda leaving his home is well presented, although a bit unnecessarily long. Stories about his brother (which we never actually see interact with Yuda other than a meal montage and a throw at city girls) seems a bit.. useless? Stereotypical roles of westerners as bad guys with not much motives.. (a scene did try to explain their motives, but vaguely.. and I have no idea why the western brothers seem.. gay-ish?) and maid in distress needing help from the protagonist hero. And the typical story of a guy from a village finding trouble in the city.

I'd very much like to see more romantic side of the story, and more funnier/relaxing moments just to take a breathe. This is not to say that there isn't any (ie. wallet stealing scene, towel scene) but not enough. The chemistry is there between the male and female lead and the kid, but it seemed not utilized enough. I guess if this was a straight forward fight film (like The Raid, I'm assuming) then the lack of chemistry/comic relief is fine. But with this it seems a bit more of either would add value to the movie.

Fighting scenes were actually good! They hit strong, they fall hard, and they fight ferociously. Again, the last fight scene could've been shorter.

I guess my problem lies mainly with the pacing. I wish it was snappier and instead of waiting for the fight scenes to begin/end it would just naturally lead the audience. So.. a 6.7 out of 10 for me.

Great start to a new style of martial art movies. Can't wait to see The Raid!

For The Past ten years or so ever since the matrix came out and dazzle our eyes with fancy moves and dashing kicks, all MA movies tried to copy it out from small punches to the high kicks but they forgot that MA is more than CGI ,Flying and impossible jumps. Mernatu came after 25years or so dry spell from Indonesia and you might be thankful for that.

The movie plot and story simple in alota ways with subplot about life,parenthood,love and the underworld. what makes this movie so good is that the action is action no fakes or flaps, when they slug out they do slug it out, they use every kind of weapon near by, the hero get hit and hit back (that's what seems to allude others as the hero is untouchable even the Chinese and Asian movies falls in this pit recently)

In the end Merantau is A solid film, I enjoy and am sure others will enjoy it MA fan or not. I've never heard of Silat before this film but I can feel it's little more than a form of fighting rather than a way to explore one soul.

i can divide this movie into two parts first 15 minutes, the drama part, here we see the background story of the movie. we'll be introduce to the main character, too bad i can understand "bahasa Padang" but there is an English subtitle ( which sometime is not accurate)

second part the FIGHT part this what i like..... fight, fight, and more fight the martial art choreography is pretty much similar to tony jaa but....i don't care, this Iko can really kick ass

though this movie is not perfect, but i recommend this movie to all of action martial art movie mania

7/8