Keluang Man

Honestly, reading all those 3/10 reviews really affected my desire to watch Kluang Man. The excitement was gone. I had zero intention of watching it.

But today, I ended up watching it anyway. Just checked for fun-Ejen Ali was fully booked all the way till night. Kluang Man? The seats were mostly empty.

So I watched it with very low expectations, thanks to all the harsh reviews out there. People were really bashing it-like, hardcore bashing. So many of them.

But when I walked into Hall 8 at TGV Cheras Selatan, I was surprised. Quite a number of people inside. I figured they were probably walk-ins who came to watch Ejen Ali, but it was full. Earlier I saw a mother and her kids disappointed that Ejen Ali was sold out. Maybe that's why they just went for Kluang Man instead.

Okay, here's my personal review.

Right from the start-I was laughing out loud! Genuinely funny. And it's not the same kind of humor as Cicakman.

The cinematography? Solid! The storyline had plot twists. Scene-to-scene transitions were well done.

I won't say more-don't want to spoil anything.

But if just a couple of things were improved, I'd easily give it a 10/10.

Right now, I'd rate it 8/10.

Borhan's character adaptation was really well done. Naz, the lead actor, absolutely nailed it! I can't even imagine if they'd gone with Jep (because a lot of fans wanted Jep). I don't think it would have landed. Maybe just more slapstick laughs. But Naz really studied the character-he delivered Borhan and Kluang Man perfectly.

Was it 100% faithful to the original Kluang Man cartoon? No. Not at all. Different storyline, though loosely based on the cartoon. But the plot is completely new.

How did Borhan become Kluang Man? Haha... for me, that was one of the best parts. The way the screenwriter presented it-brilliant!

But if they had improved these two things, I would've given it a 10/10:

1. The moment when Borhan gets the idea to make the suit-they should have played the original Kluang Man theme song, but slowed down with emotional build-up. That would've given serious goosebumps. Instead, they used a different motivational track. Not quite enough to hit emotionally. Such a missed opportunity.

2. The fight scenes were generally great. But there was one scene that dragged a bit and felt a little too silly. If they had tightened that up-wow, it would've gone to the next level. Again, a shame.

These two moments-such a pity. Otherwise, it would've been truly memorable.

So for those who were influenced by the bad reviews-don't believe them just yet.

I feel like there's a group deliberately trying to tank the movie's reputation. It's really not as bad as people are saying! Maybe they're die-hard fans of Jep Sepahtu who were disappointed he wasn't cast. But come on-they did casting, Naz went for it, and he got it. Just respect that. Hehe.

It's worth watching-funny, good storyline, great cinematography, and a decent emotional balance too.

Of course, no film is perfect.

Give our local superhero Kluang Man a shot to have a sequel. It's nothing like Cicakman with over-the-top CGI. But the story? So much better... not to mention compared to Badang. Haha.

The plot, for me, was okay. There were metaphors, elements of tariqat (spiritual path), and interpretations that vary depending on the individual. It's quite deep. Maybe for those who weren't born in the 80s or 90s, it might be a bit hard to grasp the humor and nostalgia.

There will definitely be comparisons with Deadpool or Avengers, but this is Malaysia version. Keluang Man originally was a Malaysian cartoon show for kids, so naturally, it holds nostalgic value for those who grew up in that era. Even though the storyline differs from the cartoon version, the movie is actually more interesting.

I adore the CGI,what fell short for me was just the cat. Everything else was actually okay. Of course, you can't compare it with Marvel, the budget is a whole different league. For Malaysia production, Keluang Man is considered great, especially with how it represented Malaysia's multiracial society.

They really did their best to bring in elements like Malay Silat, Malaysia love for 90s Bollywood, and true Malay characteristics,even the hero clearly has strong Javanese Malay features, not mixed.

As usual, many people like to compare it to Marvel's level, which is crazy considering the massive difference in budget. Just because the cat failed, people immediately assumed all the CGI was bad. If the cat wasn't there, I think overall the CGI would've looked much better.

Of course, there are some flaws here and there. That's normal. Overall, I liked it. It was enjoyable to watch,especially the fight scenes for audiences who may not fully grasp the philosophy behind the plot.

This is an underrated film that deserves more recognition. It's light and entertaining, but what makes it special is the strong sense of nostalgia it brings-especially for those who grew up in the 80s and 90s. It really takes you back to your childhood, when local heroes like Keluang Man were a big part of our lives. Don't expect explosive, high-budget fight scenes like in typical Hollywood superhero films. This isn't about that. It's about heart, humor, and Malaysian charm. That said, the fight scenes that are included are still impressive and well done. A refreshing local superhero film that stands out.

Some people out there really expect the Keluang Man live action to be exactly the same as the original cartoon same tone, same style, same everything. Like bro... it's a live action, not a frame-by-frame remake. You can't just copy-paste cartoon logic into real life and expect it to work.

The original was meant to be fun, a bit wacky, and exaggerated. That works for animation. But once you bring it into live action, you've got to adjust the tone - make it more grounded, more cinematic. If not, it'll just look cringe or cheap. So expecting it to feel exactly like the cartoon? Not realistic lah.

I get that people have nostalgia, but the director isn't making this just for old fans. He's trying to reintroduce Keluang Man to a new generation with a style that actually fits modern storytelling. So instead of whining that "it's not like the original," maybe try appreciating the new direction first.

Also the CGI. Yeah, I won't lie, some parts definitely need work. Certain scenes looked rough and not fully polished. If they want that serious, realistic vibe, the visual effects need to match. Right now, it's halfway there, but still feels like early draft level in some spots.

But even with that, I give credit to Anwari. He dared to do something new with a local hero, and that's not easy. Just hope for the next one, they really level up the effects and keep pushing that bold.

Everything I ever imagined about Keluang Man came to life in this movie. He's wild, unpredictable, and at times downright crazy - just like he should be. But when things get serious, don't even think about challenging him. Many might mistake him for Batman, but make no mistake - this isn't Gotham, and he's no Bruce Wayne. This is Keluang Man, and this is his world.

Nas T was born to play Keluang Man. He delivers the role with intensity, humour, and a hint of madness that fits perfectly. The patients in Hospital Tumpoi - abg Butak, Wahid, Azlee - each added their own chaotic charm. They weren't just comic relief; they were central to the soul of the story. Maria and Mariana stepped in as solid support, grounding the chaos when needed.

The lesser-known actors who played Dr. Malini and Inspector Sahab carried their roles surprisingly well, holding their own among a colourful cast. And the music? Perfectly curated. Every song hit the right note, enhancing each scene's emotion and energy.

Most importantly - Kita Enjoy! This isn't a film you overthink. Let go, let your mind wander, and let Keluang Man pull you deep into Borhan's world. A world where madness isn't the absence of sense, but a different kind of truth.