Merantau

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.

At first, looking at the way the managed the poster and all..I thought this would just be another copy-cat movie (well, we had to admit, neighboring countries cinema are way earlier in successfully creating such motion pictures)

But...

All the fighting scheme, supporting casts, location, technicalities...this movie is surely one helluva fresh breeze into Indonesian Cinema.

Last night, I was literally stunned and amazed by especially the actions and plot this movie had brought.

The spirit of Nationalism, Humanism and Martial Artistry is carried out at its best!!

Can't believe my own two hands when I clapped them together with the whole theater last night...

Surely, one step toward a better cinema for Indonesia..

Bravo!!

Please check out Valen's Shadows review here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R28DSJSHY64RA2)

The above review sums it up best. I'm a Martial Arts trainee myself (Tae Kwon Do and Capoeira) and after watching this flick I feel Iko Uwais will add to the world of MA styles and techniques and become a rather recognizable star if only given a chance. A big mistake is to compare Uwais to Jaa which I see many fans of this genre do. Although its true that the films plot was very much like Ong Baks, the fighting however, was way more real than the ones done in Ong Bak. The film did not portray Uwais's role as a 'master' in Silat - it portrayed him as a 'young', 'innocent' newbie exposed to the dangers outside his village, and because he was lightly skilled in the arts of fighting and defending - he managed to stand up against the villains. It was believable in the end. Those that regard this film a lame martial arts film - are not into martial arts at all, and last but not least they don't understand it. In reality, exercising martial arts in a real upfront combat is far from appealing like depicted in any of Van Damme, Jason Statham, Scott Adkins and/or Michael J. Whites movies. This film was so realistic that it's hard for me to believe that they used any special effects or stunt-men at all in any of the fighting scenes.

I give Merentau plot 5/10 - while the fighting scenes and especially the new star an 8/10.

In other words - a great film for martial arts lovers (introduces a new style of fighting to the International audience which always is a thumbs up), while not so good for those into 'storylines' and 'acting' etc.

Watch it by removing any prejudices beforehand, don't compare it to something else, and I will guarantee you that those almost two hours of your time will not be disappointing.

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!

As my comment's title says "exceed my expectation", first, here's my expectation : It's been more than 15 years that no martial arts movie is made in Indonesia. Especially the one that bring traditional 'pencak silat' style. So, my expectation in this movie is to see some good fights along the story plot. Same expectation when I go to watch Tony Jaa's Ong Bak 1/2 or the Protector.

However, this film deliver more then expected. Iko Uwais is good fighter and really can act. Well-pace (a bit slow at start), solid action, nice camera work, brave-stunts, and the hero is just a human after all.

The director surely know a lot about pencak silat and how to show it's beauty to audience. The 'street fight' style really gives new air to this martial art. Since pencak silat choreography I have ever seen is more like a group dance.

Of course there are some flaws, but I was surprise that it was way less than expected. So, I give it 8/10 for a martial art film. If you want to see a fresh martial arts move with quite decent story and acting, go see this one.