I'll make this short and sweet, with no spoilers.
First, it should be noted that the basic storyline & plot is nothing prophetic. Heck...nearly every Clint Eastwood western has a similar plot, so...yeh...it's been done. It's been done A LOT! But it's never been done in beautiful Indonesia, and aside from Paul O'brien, it's an almost completely local (ie Indonesian) cast.
Second, by filming in such an amazingly picturesque locale - even in the slums of one- the cinematography really shines. The first 30 minutes or so emphasizes the location as the backstories are provided. Interestingly, even though it's the "same old story," by having no-name actors in an unfamiliar place, it doesn't feel like the same old thing.
With respect to its specific characteristics, the film is fairly well done. The directing is very good. There was obviously a clear vision for this film and the director captured the story well. The acting is also good. The script, at times, tries "making" the characters more descript, which was unnecessary, as the actors did not need this treatment. Beyond this minimal positing the script was adequate. The editing was a little shaky at times, but more related to the action sequences. When not working with seasoned martial artists it can be tricky to film major action sequences, so there are some scenes that aren't as fluid as could be. This is not problematic, however, but a personal note. My biggest gripe, which is small, was the use of CGI blood and stylized violence. Personally, I prefer practical fx but for indie movies (ie low budget) it's often cheaper and easier to add blood in post. It's not a big deal and didn't ruin the movie, but a personal preference.
Overall, it was a fun watch. The 90 minutes went by in the blink of an eye, which is often the mark of a good movie. This film would appeal to any action movie fan.
Re: parental content:
- there are a couple of instances of profanity, but they are few and far between.
- there is no nudity of any kind, other than some scantily clad dancers
- no drug use, but a couple scenes with alcohol. It is not gratuitous in any way.
- loads of violence and killing. While there is NO gore content the body count on kills is high. Lots of stabbing, gun shots, severed limbs, and blood, but none of these are lingered on it shown in graphic detail. If blood is not your thing then this is probably not a movie you would enjoy.
I enjoyed the movie and would recommend it others. It is NOT a $100M Hollywood production so don't expect $100M worth of fx and extras. This in no way hampers the overall experience. At least not for me.
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