Soloz: Game of Life

I have to say I went in the cinema thinking it is going to be some boring autobiography of a e-sport gamer. Added with the running time of over 2 hours, I thought I was going to fall asleep. However I was pleasantly surprised how entertaining the whole show was. There was a couple of over the top acting and quite straight forward storyline and script but overall I have to say it was a good show. Especially if you are a MLBB player. I was engaged throughout the whole movie and was not bored even one bit. There are moment that was gripping and moments of emotion. The message the director wanted to bring across was met I would say. My wife was even more excited as she plays MLBB more than me and she said it was very good.

I would say to go with an open mind and Jalan Terus!

When a movie tries to balance the adrenaline of competitive gaming with the weight of life's emotional battles, it's a fine line to walk. Soloz: Game of Life ambitiously steps onto that tightrope, delivering a film that's as much about brotherhood and resilience as it is about Mobile Legends. Directed by Syafiq Yusof, it's a heartfelt ode to gamers, but one that occasionally stumbles over its own lofty aspirations.

The opening scene is an instant win. It introduces the game mechanics of Mobile Legends in a way that's approachable for everyone, even those who've never touched a controller in their life. It's clear from the start that the filmmakers care about making this world accessible. This thoughtful start pulls you in, setting the stage for a story about passion, perseverance, and the unbreakable bonds of friendship.

But here's the deal: this movie isn't an action-packed thrill ride from start to finish. It's 70% drama, 30% gaming, and if you're expecting an esports-heavy narrative, you might be in for a surprise. The focus is on the lives behind the screens; the struggles, dreams, and relationships of the players. Think of it as a human story dressed in the colors of a gaming film, and you'll be better prepared for the journey.

The heart of the movie lies in its characters, particularly the team dynamic. The chemistry among the players feels authentic and is a joy to watch. Hun Haqeem stands out, delivering a layered performance that captures the highs and lows of his character's journey. Hafeez Mikail, as Daddyhood, shines as the emotional anchor of the group, making you feel every ounce of his determination to support his team.

Ikmal Amry, however, is a bit of a mixed bag. His performance is solid, and he brings an undeniable charisma to the screen. But in the first act, his character leans heavily into cringe territory, especially during scenes meant to showcase his over-the-top confidence. Thankfully, as the film progresses, he begins to shed the exaggerated persona, revealing a more grounded and compelling side. By the time the emotional stakes rise, Ikmal manages to win back the audience's favor, proving there's more to his character than initially meets the eye.

And then there's the comic relief trio: Jaa Suzuran, Ijeebster, and Wafiy Ilhan. Their banter and camaraderie bring levity to the film, balancing out its heavier moments. Even Syafie Naswip steps into new territory with a hot-headed character that adds a surprising spark. Special mention goes to Noki K-Clique, a newcomer who proves he's more than just a fresh face in the industry.

The visuals are another highlight. Syafiq Yusof knows how to make gaming scenes look cool. The transitions especially one involving flipping tables during a custom game feel slick and polished, almost Hollywood-level. The special effects, though not perfect, are impressive given the budget. From the camera angles to the music and lighting, every element comes together to elevate the gaming sequences.

But, for all its visual flair, the gaming scenes fall short in one crucial aspect: intensity. While the slo-mo effects and graphics are stunning, the sequences lack the nail-biting tension that should come with high-stakes competition. Part of this comes down to repetition; the same visuals of kills and eliminations over and over again, and part of it is the storytelling. The emotional beats, though heartfelt, often interrupt the flow of tension, making it hard to stay fully invested in the gameplay.

Then there's the melodrama. Oh boy. Some scenes are so over the top they border on parody. There's one particular moment that feels like a Raya ad gone haywire; tears, dramatic pauses, and all. It's not that the emotions aren't genuine; it's that they're dialed up so high they lose their impact. The constant tonal shifts between energetic gaming sequences and these heavy-handed emotional moments create a disjointed experience, leaving the audience a bit dizzy.

For fans of Mobile Legends, there's a minor gripe that might sting: Fanny, one of the game's key characters, doesn't quite match her in-game persona. Instead of floating gracefully, she walks and runs, breaking the immersion for hardcore players. It's a small detail, but one that could have been handled better.

Still, the film manages to shine in its portrayal of brotherhood and camaraderie. The bond between the teammates feels real, and even characters with limited screen time contribute to the overall warmth of the group. This is where the movie finds its heart amidst the jokes, struggles, and shared dreams of the team.

The pacing is another point in its favor. Clocking in at 139 minutes, the film doesn't feel overly long. The story flows neatly, with a beginning and ending that hit the right beats, even if some creative choices along the way falter.

Verdict: Soloz: Game of Life is a love letter to gamers, brimming with heartfelt performances, stunning visuals, and a sincere attempt to balance life's emotional weight with the thrill of competition. With 70% drama and 30% gaming, it leans heavily on its human story, offering a mix of camaraderie and passion. While its melodrama and tonal shifts hold it back from greatness, it's still an enjoyable ride for anyone who loves gaming or stories about unbreakable friendships. It's not flawless, but it's full of heart and sometimes, that's enough.

This movie is an absolute disappointment. The plot, if you can even call it that, is painfully boring and lacks any meaningful direction. The emotional scenes are overdone to the point of exhaustion-there are more than ten crying scenes! It's like the creators were trying to see how much crying they could cram into the runtime instead of developing an actual story.

The worst part is how they completely gloss over the in-game situations. There's no depth or excitement in the gameplay sequence just some generic sound effects of "winning" or "defeat" sound and then, like a poorly planned skit, they rush straight into another game after barely 5 seconds of "rest." It's unrealistic and incredibly stupid.

This feels more like a poorly made student assignment than a professional production. The lack of creativity and storytelling makes it unbearable to watch. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone. Save your time and skip this mess.

Honest review after watched Soloz:Game of Life is.. "Erm not bad, i can understand well this story even though i am not ML player or know anything about mobile legend. OMG!

Awesome CGI animation wah! Impressed! Eh, finish already.!? Eh, why am i crying? Haha.. That was all my reaction after watched this film. Honestly, it was great! Well structured script, balanced narrative of Soloz & his team of how they started out the journey to become mobile legends players in Malaysia. Hun Haqeem was commendable in this story! Such an expressive but subtle expression actor. I think rn, enough for him to nominated in FFM👍

Then, the story wise, this film is fast paced esp for transition btw reality and animation game. Also,it has a sliced of drama in it (emotional depth abt family rejection when their kids wanted to play ML and join competition) Not an easy feat u know.. Finas helped in funding this film to create such a creative art & an inspiring entertainment for Malaysian youngsters to enjoy.

Last but not least, At least for right now, i liked it, & my family all enjoyed this movie so much too, eventho they knew hell nothing about ML, lol. Good attempt, 2025, for Malaysian film industry, way to go higher!💯

Soloz: Game of Life, is the first Esports Malaysian Movie.

My Review:

Story

The story is almost perfecta i can guarantee, sure but they didnt even include Fredo, Penjahat or Rush and many more... even though AirAsia Saiyan back in the day help Soloz in his early career. Fredo is the team captain before Soloz you see, they should have been added as a side character, its a 2 hour and almost in a half movie and they dont bother to show them as cameo. This is by far i think, the weakest side of the film especially for those who close or who follow Soloz since 2015.

Animation

No comment, the main reason watching in pawagam to watch those badass character fought each other in 3D. Absolutely, almost like Levi drawn by Arifumi Imai in 2017. Its even more amazing that this long movie is created not even in 1 year.

Drama

Thats why i said its almost perfect, its even similar to my own experience. Playing too much game and got disciplined.

Overall

I think its 6,5/10-7,5/10 for International standard, 8,5/10 for South East Asia and 10/10 in local film obviously. But for me i will give it 7,5/10.