13 Bom di Jakarta

Saw this at the Rotterdam film festival (IFFR) 2024. After the screening I scored 4 out of 5 for the audience award. In hindsight, should have been 3 because of the generous running time of nearly two and a half hours, unnecessary to get the story lines across and overly stressing our patience.

Other minus points are (a) over-reliance on crypto currency as a novel plot element, a frivolous attempt to attract new audience, plus (b) introducing whizz kids who seem to be able to do the impossible whatever device or system is put in front of them. As an ex-IT-er, I consider the latter next to impossible, especially in the finale where cables from network switches and routers are pulled in a particular order, to prevent a virus from spreading, for the layman (m/f) possibly spectacular but very unrealistic.

Peeling this off, we get a standard action movie under the hood: ample car chases, heavy weaponry, explosives, many innocent bystanders and even some less innocent victims. Bringing in crypto currency and terrorism do not save the story from being traditional. Yet, some new elements make this movie stand out:

1. Firstly, the cause the terrorist group is fighting for, is defendable and just. A pity that their means are despicable. Their back stories are sad but not sufficient to justify all the bloodshed. In hindsight, their benevolent motives are foreshadowed by the fact (later on we understand them better) that the armored car that is attacked in one of the first scenes, is left open for anyone passing by to pick from. A nice "Robin Hood" touch.

2. Secondly, the two whizz kids who are pulled in, add extra plot material and act as a third group besides the anti-terrorist agency and the terrorists. Does it make the plot convoluted enough to fill nearly 150 minutes running time?? The traditional distinction between good and bad guys is not as clear cut as usual, which is not a complaint but rather a positive element.

3. Thirdly, the effectiveness of the chain of command in the agency leaves much to desire. Even worse, it works counter productively in the long run. Relieving someone of duty due to a defendable mistake, may seem to demonstrate a firm grip on the operation, but it is a waste of human potential and can only create disgruntled employees who eventually may work against the agency's mission.

All in all, the action parts make it watchable for people "in" for this kind of movie, while others (like me) can only endure the explosions, the gun fire, the car chases, the bloodshed, and so on. Still, this movie has some other nice parts that make it better than the average shootout.

The premise of the bad guys is a stretch. The length of the movie is equally a stretch. After a while it looses its interest but if you get ½ in you stay in the hopes it gets better. Maybe streaming this on fast forward would have helped. The good guys in the movie are annoying and distract from this every getting to be worthwhile. If you like shoot the up's and body count you may like this movie. The premises of the bad guys is a major stretch. After suffering through 2 ½ hours you will need to get up and stretch. This is not one movie you will want to see for a second time. Next time, I will read the reviews as there can not be that many that like this. I am being kind with a 5/10 rating.

They made a wonderful film.. I actually seen only few Indonesian movies so far especially action genre movies.

Its quite good and few action sequences are feel little bit weird am typically mentioning gun fights scene..its out of sync with each ends other then the movie is so good choice for one time watchable. There actors and actress in the movie good not good as Hollywood but this guys done it well.

Only one twist is in the flim.

Fist fights are good need to improve lot but they made a tough movie.

In few years they become tougher

One time watchable.

Good time pass.

A mass Entertaining.

I'm a fan of a good, detailed and compelling action movie, this one has hit the mark for me.

1. Indonesian action films has been improved SO MUCH in the last few years, i know it all started from The Raid, which was technically still directed by a western director, but now this movie is directed by a local and the production, set pieces, and environment looks alive, detailed and functional, the props are realistic, the guns looks great (noticed some flashy new SIG MCX Virtuses there)

2. The VFX are nice, much better than previous indo films, so i'm quite impressed with the quality, it doesnt look out of place and is well blended with the environment, noticed some practical effects as well

3. I like the new bitcoin aspect and the two startup founders, it makes the dynamic more unique and add additional tension to the usual Good Cop and Bad Cop shenanigans.

Though i have to say several drawbacks:

1. The sound, the dialogues are nicely mixed with the ambience and music, however the gun sounds leave much to be desired, it lacked the environmental interaction usually heard with gunshots, like indoor and outdoor should sound different, it lacked the tail and echo while indoor, and some of the fighting sounds are not that good

2. Firearms technique, i noticed how Arok reloaded his AR, he tapped the bolt catch and there's a sound of bolt releasing, but i saw the bolt didnt move, rather, it stayed closed the whole time instead of releasing.

3. The camerawork during fighting looks a bit too close, the way we can't see all the details from the fight.

Sometimes, everyone just needs a mindless action movie, grab a giant bucket of popcorn, and watch things blow up-now is one of those times. 13 Bombs di Jakarta is a huge spectacle with gut-punching excitement. The production value is top-notch, featuring impressive sets, props, costumes, solid special effects, and decent action choreography. The music score is also well done. As for originality in the script? Not so much. The plot doesn't offer anything new; it feels like a mix of Hollywood blockbuster clichés-somewhat ridiculous, mostly eye-popping, and a touch sentimental. The director delivers on action, explosions, wise-cracking heroes, and badass villains. The action scenes are well-executed with good pacing and thrills. If you're willing to check your brain at the door, this movie makes your time and money worthwhile. If you're after tons of explosions, shootouts, fires, and car chases, this film is right up your alley.