Sheriff: Narko Integriti

Action packed and filled with plot twists, Sheriff: Narko Integriti will definitely put you on the edge of your seat. It has a unique storytelling, elements of mystery and suspense that keeps you engaged, and actors/actresses that played their characters very well.

The premise of this movie is not really special. We've had plenty movies revolving around cops and guns. But what makes this movie different from others is its plot and execution.

Looking at it internationally, it may seem just normal but for the local cinema it is a big improvement.

-SUMMARY (SKIP IF YOU WANT)-

This film tells the story of Nazri, a narcotics policeman who wants to end the growing syabu syndicate. The problem with bringing these perpetrators to court is that they almost always avoided punishment due to lack of evidence.

This made Nazri lose faith in the law, distorting his sense of justice and felt determined to uphold justice in his own way even if it'd violate his morals.

Then we're introduced to Sheriff from the Integrity Department who's known for fighting against corrupted cops. He was sent to the Narcotics Department to help find the infamous 'Meth Killer' which happens to be revealed as an inside man.

At this point we may have already know who the 'Meth Killer' is (or do we?) but we don't know how he will be caught. What will the 'Meth Killer' do now that Sheriff is getting closer? How will he operate his killings without getting caught? Will this be a game of chess? Who exactly is the 'Meth Killer'?

In this period, narcotics operations have also failed many times. Are there traitors inside narcotics? Are they working with the 'Meth Killer'?

This movie had a way of misguiding you to answers that you may think is right, but it's actually left. Always reminding you that you should trust no one.

-SUMMARY END-

There's a lot of positives for this movie but in my personal opinion, it's not a masterpiece yet. It's close though and it has all the ingredients to reach there.

What I can say for certain is that this is Syafiq Yusof's best work that I have ever watched. Exceeded my original expectations which wasn't really high but also wasn't really low either.

That aside, this movie still has room for improvements. Here's what I can think of quickly:

1. The 'Meth Killer' Mystery

While I do understand that it was the director's intention to use 'howcatchem' and not 'whodunnit', but I still would've preferred if it was not revealed early. I love it when movies make us doubt our answers and I love it when I got it right.

If the movie focuses only on finding the 'Meth Killer' and expands the story from there, I probably wouldn't complain about making it a 'howcatchem' story. That would be good and engaging too.

2. Character Background

There are many culprits in this movie like traitors, "rats" and murderers. But there are some characters whose writing was not developed or explored enough for the audience to build an emotional connection. When plot twists happened, it's hard to feel the impact and shock.

3. Lack Emotions

I'm probably alone in this but there are scenes that I feel it supposedly is emotional, but as I watched it I failed to capture the emotions conveyed. I didn't manage to cry but my tears almost went down though. Scenes like the one where Sheriff reminisced his childhood memory made me emotional too.

4. Sheriff Third Act

At the beginning of the third act, Sheriff's character presence felt missing. At this stage of the movie I was expecting some mad genius move from Sheriff that maybe shows how he outsmart his enemies. But I unfortunately didn't see much. He did get the spotlight back in the end though.

I actually really like this Sheriff dude. But I'm not quite satisfied with his development and depth. I need to know more about this character. I want to know his background in depth. How he forms his sense of justice despite his past. His name is literally the movie.

I have more to say but it's hard to share without spoiling the story. So maybe later.

Anyways, well done to the director, Syafiq Yusof and all the crew. Lots of improvements on the quality of writing and execution. We need more quality local movies like this.

It's time that we stop insulting the intellectuals of our local people by feeding them with poor quality movies.

Sheriff Narko Integriti

Directed by Syafiq Yusof, "Sheriff Narko Integriti" immerses audiences in a city besieged by the insidious grip of drug trafficking and vigilante killings by the notorious Meth Killer. Sheriff, a seasoned officer from the Integrity Department, finds himself thrust into a perilous mission to dismantle a powerful drug syndicate led by the notorious Tony. However, his suspicions are aroused when he believes Nazri, a young police officer from the Narcotics Department, could be the Meth Killer, making life difficult for him as he tries to uncover the truth.

Zul Ariffin delivers a compelling portrayal as Sheriff, a man fueled by an unyielding dedication to upholding the law. His steadfast commitment to integrity guides him through the murky waters of law enforcement, even as his suspicions cloud his judgment. His interactions with Nazri, portrayed with intensity by Syafiq Kyle, add layers of tension and complexity to the narrative as Sheriff grapples with the possibility of betrayal within his own ranks.

At the heart of their investigation lies Tony, portrayed with chilling menace by Aaron Aziz, a cunning kingpin whose empire of crime casts a long shadow over the city. As Sheriff delves deeper into Tony's world, he uncovers a labyrinth of deception and betrayal that threatens to consume him. Yet, his quest for justice is further complicated by the presence of the enigmatic Meth Killer, whose brutal methods leave a trail of chaos in his wake.

Adding to the complexity is Azira Shafinaz as ASP Syazlin, a women narco police officer and sister of Nazri, who brings depth to her portrayal as she grapples with her loyalty to her family and her duty as a law enforcement officer.

Elizabeth Tan shines as Jennifer Wong, a special force in the integrity department and assistant to Sheriff. However, suspicions arise as her allegiance seems to waver, potentially acting as an informant to Tony, adding another layer of intrigue to the storyline.

Yusof's direction keeps the tension taut throughout, expertly weaving elements of suspense, action, and drama to keep audiences on the edge of their seats. Each twist and turn in the plot propels the narrative forward, building towards a gripping climax that will leave viewers breathless.

The ensemble cast delivers standout performances, breathing life into the complex characters, adding layers of nuance to their motivations and struggles.

In the end, "Sheriff Narko Integriti" transcends the confines of the crime thriller genre, offering a thought-provoking exploration of justice, redemption, and the human condition. As Sheriff navigates the challenges before him, he stands as a beacon of integrity in a world shrouded in darkness.

"Sheriff: Narko Integriti" is a standout in Malaysian cinema, breaking away from the usual conservative fare. Directed by Syafiq Yusof, the film presents a gripping crime thriller with a complex plot, sharp twists, and layered characters.

Zul Ariffin's portrayal of Sheriff, a man driven by integrity, is powerful, while Aaron Aziz delivers a chilling performance as Tony, the kingpin.

One aspect I particularly appreciated was the accurate portrayal of weapons and tactics. The attention to detail in handling firearms, moving as a fire team in close-quarter combat, and switching from rifles to handguns in confined spaces adds a strong sense of realism. The coordinated team dynamics, especially when falling back under fire, felt authentic and well-executed.

The film's pacing and suspense keep viewers on edge, with scenes that stray far from the conservative tropes common in local cinema. This movie is action packed and has a thought-provoking narrative about justice, betrayal, and loyalty.

I had 0 expectation going in as - i had no clue about the movie existing & never watched any trailers - i was pleasantly surprised at how far our local films' quality have become. There was pretty "meh" casting (i thought they were casted because of popularity instead of quality) but whatever, just watching sub-par acting is a bit distracting for me. Cinematography-wise overall great, there were some random shots and out of place imo.

-About the actual film- It was great at how its not entirely clichéd. It kept some of the surprising elements up until the very end for me, which IS a big deal because as far as malay films go .. is a rarity. I can tell they put a lot of actual thoughts into the storyline, which i can definitely appreciate. In fact for whatever reason it sorta reminds me of a little bit of Cumberbatch's version of Sherlock + Guy Ritchie-ish.

Sometimes i also feel like they try to fit in everything into 1 darn film, its giving *too many chefs in the kitchen*. So it ended up as "ok whats the point of that, totally unnecessary". Somehow it also makes me feel it was rushed and all over the place.

-About the casting- Ngl there were a lot of "stars" in the film to the point of like they're competing for the lime light. At one point i thought Syafiq was the lead but the title is Sheriff but this other person has more screen time. Buts and buts. I see what theyre doing towards the end you (theyd definitely franchising the heck out of this and i hope theyd get better instead of only chasing the fame and $) BUT ANYWAY - i like the Sheriff character (its a love-hate situation) the way Zul brings it to life, yesss. I feel like he mightve improv-ed the dialogues maybe? He just looks natural and not forcing it too much to the point of blergh shut up. The girls~ uh sorry but it couldve just been anyone. Syafiq was ok but his face is too flawless the entire time i was thinking -mannn thats A LOT of makeup- so i was somewhat distracted hahaha. Aaron is just being aaron oh well. But oh i also appreciate they brought in some veteran actors imo as a gesture of respect idk.

"Tiap-tiap basah mesti ada keringnya" Not all police is good but not all criminal is bad:

As for the meth killer (Assassin's creed): I called him a real hero in this movie, technically he's more to an assassin's creed kind of dude because he fights for the truth and free will.

"Dalam negara ni kena ada orang macam aku, sya!" (The country needs someone like me, sya!)

and he's also lose faith in the law because of how corrupt they is, and they shouldn't be continuing to be alive as he believes that corrupt can be spread like a virus.

As for the sheriff (fluffy beard dude): he had a good intuition, a tactical leader, sneaky detective, and a good observer.

He knew that meth killer and the traitor of the team was among them, but he was unsure about it, but overall he was grown with pain and guilt, which is why he became a cop who arrest a cop.

(Brainrot moment: Bro knew who's the imposter)

As for Tony (Pablo Escobar): is just a dude who's trying to do his job as a drug company/production, he has protection by the corrupted cops to keep him clean and lack of evidence to make him exposed.

As for Jennifer (double agent bi**h) : I called her the real villain this time, because she doesn't just work for Tony and she's also thinking about her own well, she killed almost everyone on Tony's team and her own team just to cover-up that she's the rat of the department. But in the end she's also living with guilt because she wanted to protect her son (which sounds cliche to me)

Overall for this movie, they shown none of them were perfect, every each of them had their own dark side, and guilt to cover with, unlike for other police drama in malaysia all of them shows one side is perfect and kind whilst that among them contains a rat that works for the criminal.

My only criticise for this was the ending where sya and sheriff met the highest judge from the intro and she asks "can we ask you a question, your honour?" And he replies "no", and then three of them stands there till the screen goes pitch black. Technically the scene is just unnecessary and pointless, plus the judge knew the movie about to be ended so just refused so the movie ended quickly (Brainrot moment: bro saw the audience like Deadpool)