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.

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.

This is my dissapointment about this movie. First, this movie didn't have good introduction at all... And the motivation of the characters are not that strong.

For a 2 hours long, this movie couldn't make a great character development, and I think its because in here there are too many unimportant character, I'm even confused till the end who exactly the main protagonist was...

Sorry, but Angga Dwimas missed the opportunity to make this as good as his previous movie (Stealing Raden Saleh). In this movie Angga is seems to be bound with cryptocurrency message.

If you watch the trailer, you will see how exiting it was in that 2 minutes... But the whole movie? Its the opposite of watching the trailer. I skip many unnecessary dialogues and some moment in here...

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.

13 Bom di Jakarta is a thriller action film that successfully builds tension from start to finish. With the premise of 13 bombs set to explode every eight hours, the movie delivers heart-pounding action that keeps viewers on edge.

Director Angga Dwimas Sasongko crafts the story with a fast-paced rhythm and intense action sequences. The use of practical effects and dynamic cinematography enhances the suspense. Actors like Rio Dewanto and Ardhito Pramono deliver solid performances, making each character feel real.

Although some plot points are predictable, the film's strong execution and gripping atmosphere keep it engaging. With high-quality action and convincing visuals, 13 Bom di Jakarta is a must-watch for thriller fans.