Java Heat

A Muslim detective teams with an American (Kellan Lutz) posing as a graduate student to find the man (Mickey Rourke) behind a series of deadly terrorist bombings in Indonesia.

Although this seems in some ways to be an inferior-grade "Bourne" film, it has plenty to offer: a fresh lead actor, a great villain (Rourke, as a "klepto-terrorist") and all the action you expect from such a film -- explosions, gun fights and car crashes.

My biggest issues were not really with the film itself (which I thought was pretty good), but more technical matters. The DVD/BD seems to have not had the volume synced properly (conversations are too quiet, action too loud) and the subtitles are hard to read -- both because they are small, and also because they leave the screen too quickly. I would have enjoyed the film much more if these problems were corrected.

"The how I know, the why I haven't figured out yet." After a suicide bomber strikes in Indonesia, American Marine/FBI agent Jake Travers (Lutz) travels there posing as a graduate student to catch the terrorists behind it. Getting help from a Muslim cop Hashim (Bayu) they begin to uncover a hidden truth that could wind up being more dangerous then suicide bombers. I have to start by saying action movies like this don't really rely to much on acting to keep you interested but Lutz's acting is so bad it's almost distracting. Also Mickey Rourke seems miscast in this. Other then that the movie is not too bad but it is a little slow and hard to stay interested in in a few parts. I would still say it's worth watching but be prepared for a movie that feels longer then it is. There have been many movies about terrorist threats like this to come out lately and while this is OK it's not one of the better ones. Overall, worth watching but nothing to rush and see. I give it a C+.

After Mickey Rourke gave his deservedly highly praised performance in "The Wrestler", I thought that from that point on, his career would be in a permanent rebound. But just a few years later, Rourke is back making straight to DVD movies, "Java Heat" being one of them. In fairness, this particular straight to DVD movie is nowhere as bad as some of Rourke's past efforts in the genre. Some of the action sequences aren't bad, and we are given an interesting look in many corners of Indonesia. However, the movie is both too long and too slow for the most part - it should have been tightened during the scripting stage. And Rourke doesn't come across very well, with his puffy face and his dialogue often spoken in a mumble that makes it hard to understand what he's saying at times. From this movie, I now think that the remainder of Rourke's career will be stuck in the direct to DVD market and that no one will give him another chance at something better. Too bad.

The writing was bad not as bad as Kellan Lutz's acting OMG all these directers and producers are trying to make him into a star and the bottom line is he just can't act ! When you watch Denzel, Keanue etc.. fill in the name of any great action star you believe in their character. You don't with Kellan you can see he is reading from a script. Mickey Rourkes accent i have no idea what it was suppose to be was awful. On the brighter side the acting by Ario Bayu was excellent we did not see much of the woman who played the Sultana but when we did she was also great. They are the reasons i gave this 5 stars. I did not go in to detail about what the bad writing was or what scenes were acted so badly i didn't want to spoil the movie. Yes despite all that the great work by the others is worth your time watching it just don't expect it to be a A movie. We had D actors and writers with the exception of a few upcoming A listers like Mr. Bayu.

"Java Heat" unfolds as a visually striking thriller set amidst the dynamic landscape of Indonesia, weaving together the contrasting elements of rickshaws, machine guns, and a cast led by Mickey Rourke and Kellan Lutz. Against the backdrop of the country boasting the world's largest Muslim population, the film seeks to engage viewers not only in its action-packed narrative but also in an anthropological exploration of Indonesian culture.

Writers Conor and Rob Allyn, who maintain a connection with Java, inject a sense of authenticity into the film, particularly through the portrayal of Javanese characters like Ario Bayu. This allows the audience to witness credible glimpses into local customs, providing a distinctive layer to the storyline. However, the film's Achilles' heel lies in its portrayal of the protagonist, Jake, played by Kellan Lutz, who grapples with breaking free from the shackles of dismissive stereotypes.

As the narrative unfolds, Jake emerges as a resilient yet underestimated figure, weathering a terrorist attack with a physical fortitude depicted almost as impervious armor. The script, however, lingers on the initial perception of Jake as a fortunate simpleton, preventing Lutz from fully distancing himself from his past roles. The film's attempt to carve a more compelling character faces resistance from the locals, who dismissively label him as the stereotypical American "Rambo."

While Mickey Rourke injects sporadic vibrancy into the storyline, the true standout is Ario Bayu, delivering a thoughtful and nuanced performance as a principled detective navigating the complexities of crime and justice. Regrettably, Lutz's performance tends towards monotony, relying excessively on his physical prowess. Gratuitous scenes featuring a sweaty, shirtless workout and a nude massage, while showcasing Lutz's imposing physical presence, contribute little to character development.

"Java Heat" earns commendation for its captivating portrayal of Indonesian culture, but it stumbles in creating a truly engaging narrative. The film's 5/10 score reflects its praiseworthy efforts to explore cultural nuances but laments missed opportunities to transcend formulaic plotlines. Lutz's on-screen presence, though physically imposing, fails to inject the depth required to elevate the film beyond its predictable action-thriller trajectory. Moments of vibrancy are overshadowed by the overarching challenge of infusing Lutz's role with the substance needed to resonate with the audience on a more profound level.

#JavaHeatCulturalThriller.