darwishsyahmi
Joined Feb 2022
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Reviews4
darwishsyahmi's rating
Wow. What a movie. I thoroughly enjoyed near to about every second of this movie. Pendekar Bujang Lapok shines through as an infinitely better sequel to its original.
I need to start the review with the cinematography because it was just simply splendid. One of the biggest issues I had with the first Bujang Lapok was that the framing and cinematography in general was bleak, unprofessional and lacked any form of composition. Its sequel completely turns that around with beautiful shots and GREAT composition. There are some boring wide shots here and there but from the first second of this film to the end, i kept saying to myself how amazingly shot it was. Here's to you Abu Bakar Ali, I will DEFINITELY check out more of your stuff.
And man, the opening jetty scene. That was so wonderful. This movie has a way of being both comfortably natural and comical at the same time and that jetty scene is a great example of it. In addition the fight scene on the jetty was such a pleasure to watch. I would even go as far to say that that fight scene was WAYYYY better than the jetty fight scene in Mat Kilau. (2022)
The jokes were funny, the acting was funny and so much of this movie is pure genius + ridiculous enjoyable stupidity. Its directing was also great, but had its weak spots that I'm willing to let slide.
Overall, I had a BLAST watching this movie. If you're ever worried you'll be bored watching a movie from the 50s, watch this one. This one is one for the ages, and certainly will be a reeatch for me sometime in the future.
I need to start the review with the cinematography because it was just simply splendid. One of the biggest issues I had with the first Bujang Lapok was that the framing and cinematography in general was bleak, unprofessional and lacked any form of composition. Its sequel completely turns that around with beautiful shots and GREAT composition. There are some boring wide shots here and there but from the first second of this film to the end, i kept saying to myself how amazingly shot it was. Here's to you Abu Bakar Ali, I will DEFINITELY check out more of your stuff.
And man, the opening jetty scene. That was so wonderful. This movie has a way of being both comfortably natural and comical at the same time and that jetty scene is a great example of it. In addition the fight scene on the jetty was such a pleasure to watch. I would even go as far to say that that fight scene was WAYYYY better than the jetty fight scene in Mat Kilau. (2022)
The jokes were funny, the acting was funny and so much of this movie is pure genius + ridiculous enjoyable stupidity. Its directing was also great, but had its weak spots that I'm willing to let slide.
Overall, I had a BLAST watching this movie. If you're ever worried you'll be bored watching a movie from the 50s, watch this one. This one is one for the ages, and certainly will be a reeatch for me sometime in the future.
Mean Girls was able to shine through its chick flick - teen comedy genre with some originality and heart.
It has a rather funny script with interesting characters. The script flows just nicely at the same time being able to glide over an entire school year's worth of events.
Its cinematography is also decent with some finely composed track-out shots, but nothing more other than that. The rest of the cinematography is just enough to stand out from "bleak tv blocking." There are some great visual consistencies/parallels created, like when Cady walks through the school with nobody staring at her and by the end of the movie, everyone's staring at her.
Waters' directing was also great. With many stylistic choices such as the talking head scenes and the ICONIC split screen telephone call scene. Waters understood the tone of the movie and mostly carried it out with success.
Which takes me to editing. The editing I believe is phenomenal. This film had great editing that was able to keep my eyes on the screen and be fully immersed in their world the entire time. The style of the film was also executed well in the editing, particularly with - again - the telephone call scene, the zoo noises and some hilariously effective cutaways.
The first issue I had with this film are the token characters. Although these characters perfectly fit the genre, this movie could have gone beyond that and subverted the stereotypes to play with something more interesting in the film. Some characters like Karen, Gretchen and even Mrs George could have taken on more of a role in driving the story but instead they are wasted as comic relief.
Another issue I had with this film was the ending. Matter of the fact is, I'm satisfied with the ending. But I'm not satisfied that I'm satisfied. Ya get what I mean??
The whole film took the chick flick - teen comedy genre and made it its own for a whole hour, but the ending appears to be a submission back into a cliché 'd ending. The ending gave the audience exactly what they wanted in their heart but I believe this film's ending had potential to be more than just an easy happy ending with resolutions to every issue. What the audience's heart desires at the end of this film isn't necessarily the best.
Even with that being said, I won't let the ending bring my rating down. It's one I'm still alright with.
Overall the film was very entertaining and proved to me why it deserved to be so iconic amongst pop culture. The film's heart reels you into its sass and drive before drawing you back into heartfeltness and good morals.
It has a rather funny script with interesting characters. The script flows just nicely at the same time being able to glide over an entire school year's worth of events.
Its cinematography is also decent with some finely composed track-out shots, but nothing more other than that. The rest of the cinematography is just enough to stand out from "bleak tv blocking." There are some great visual consistencies/parallels created, like when Cady walks through the school with nobody staring at her and by the end of the movie, everyone's staring at her.
Waters' directing was also great. With many stylistic choices such as the talking head scenes and the ICONIC split screen telephone call scene. Waters understood the tone of the movie and mostly carried it out with success.
Which takes me to editing. The editing I believe is phenomenal. This film had great editing that was able to keep my eyes on the screen and be fully immersed in their world the entire time. The style of the film was also executed well in the editing, particularly with - again - the telephone call scene, the zoo noises and some hilariously effective cutaways.
The first issue I had with this film are the token characters. Although these characters perfectly fit the genre, this movie could have gone beyond that and subverted the stereotypes to play with something more interesting in the film. Some characters like Karen, Gretchen and even Mrs George could have taken on more of a role in driving the story but instead they are wasted as comic relief.
Another issue I had with this film was the ending. Matter of the fact is, I'm satisfied with the ending. But I'm not satisfied that I'm satisfied. Ya get what I mean??
The whole film took the chick flick - teen comedy genre and made it its own for a whole hour, but the ending appears to be a submission back into a cliché 'd ending. The ending gave the audience exactly what they wanted in their heart but I believe this film's ending had potential to be more than just an easy happy ending with resolutions to every issue. What the audience's heart desires at the end of this film isn't necessarily the best.
Even with that being said, I won't let the ending bring my rating down. It's one I'm still alright with.
Overall the film was very entertaining and proved to me why it deserved to be so iconic amongst pop culture. The film's heart reels you into its sass and drive before drawing you back into heartfeltness and good morals.