Merantau

There are definitely problems with the pacing of the movie. But overall, I would call this one a success. We have a director that found the lead actor while shooting a documentary about the Indonesian martial art of Pencak Silat. The director scores some major props just by introducing this fighting style that I, and many others probably, have never even heard of. The director is also taking a chance by actually setting up shop in Indonesia. This to me shows he isn't trying to make big budget Hollywood movies but is instead trying something new. The movie could have been better sure, but lets give it up for some originality and freshness I say. The Raid: Redemption and The Raid 2 are both excellent films by the same director and cast of this movie. I for one am looking forward to some new approaches by this squad from Indonesia!

For The Past ten years or so ever since the matrix came out and dazzle our eyes with fancy moves and dashing kicks, all MA movies tried to copy it out from small punches to the high kicks but they forgot that MA is more than CGI ,Flying and impossible jumps. Mernatu came after 25years or so dry spell from Indonesia and you might be thankful for that.

The movie plot and story simple in alota ways with subplot about life,parenthood,love and the underworld. what makes this movie so good is that the action is action no fakes or flaps, when they slug out they do slug it out, they use every kind of weapon near by, the hero get hit and hit back (that's what seems to allude others as the hero is untouchable even the Chinese and Asian movies falls in this pit recently)

In the end Merantau is A solid film, I enjoy and am sure others will enjoy it MA fan or not. I've never heard of Silat before this film but I can feel it's little more than a form of fighting rather than a way to explore one soul.

i can divide this movie into two parts first 15 minutes, the drama part, here we see the background story of the movie. we'll be introduce to the main character, too bad i can understand "bahasa Padang" but there is an English subtitle ( which sometime is not accurate)

second part the FIGHT part this what i like..... fight, fight, and more fight the martial art choreography is pretty much similar to tony jaa but....i don't care, this Iko can really kick ass

though this movie is not perfect, but i recommend this movie to all of action martial art movie mania

7/8

I'm Indonesian and I'm super proud of this movie. It's the first to showcase a young Indonesian action hero, with unique Silat martial arts, and top quality movie making among problematic Indonesian cinema.

Having said that, there are things where it can be better. And I will try to be fair.

The pacing of the film gets slow at some points. Some shots could've been cut shorter and scenes can flow snappier, some dialogues more to the point (there isn't much dialogue, but when there is some, they lag), even some fighting scenes could be shorter.

The establishing scene of Yuda leaving his home is well presented, although a bit unnecessarily long. Stories about his brother (which we never actually see interact with Yuda other than a meal montage and a throw at city girls) seems a bit.. useless? Stereotypical roles of westerners as bad guys with not much motives.. (a scene did try to explain their motives, but vaguely.. and I have no idea why the western brothers seem.. gay-ish?) and maid in distress needing help from the protagonist hero. And the typical story of a guy from a village finding trouble in the city.

I'd very much like to see more romantic side of the story, and more funnier/relaxing moments just to take a breathe. This is not to say that there isn't any (ie. wallet stealing scene, towel scene) but not enough. The chemistry is there between the male and female lead and the kid, but it seemed not utilized enough. I guess if this was a straight forward fight film (like The Raid, I'm assuming) then the lack of chemistry/comic relief is fine. But with this it seems a bit more of either would add value to the movie.

Fighting scenes were actually good! They hit strong, they fall hard, and they fight ferociously. Again, the last fight scene could've been shorter.

I guess my problem lies mainly with the pacing. I wish it was snappier and instead of waiting for the fight scenes to begin/end it would just naturally lead the audience. So.. a 6.7 out of 10 for me.

Great start to a new style of martial art movies. Can't wait to see The Raid!

Please check out Valen's Shadows review here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R28DSJSHY64RA2)

The above review sums it up best. I'm a Martial Arts trainee myself (Tae Kwon Do and Capoeira) and after watching this flick I feel Iko Uwais will add to the world of MA styles and techniques and become a rather recognizable star if only given a chance. A big mistake is to compare Uwais to Jaa which I see many fans of this genre do. Although its true that the films plot was very much like Ong Baks, the fighting however, was way more real than the ones done in Ong Bak. The film did not portray Uwais's role as a 'master' in Silat - it portrayed him as a 'young', 'innocent' newbie exposed to the dangers outside his village, and because he was lightly skilled in the arts of fighting and defending - he managed to stand up against the villains. It was believable in the end. Those that regard this film a lame martial arts film - are not into martial arts at all, and last but not least they don't understand it. In reality, exercising martial arts in a real upfront combat is far from appealing like depicted in any of Van Damme, Jason Statham, Scott Adkins and/or Michael J. Whites movies. This film was so realistic that it's hard for me to believe that they used any special effects or stunt-men at all in any of the fighting scenes.

I give Merentau plot 5/10 - while the fighting scenes and especially the new star an 8/10.

In other words - a great film for martial arts lovers (introduces a new style of fighting to the International audience which always is a thumbs up), while not so good for those into 'storylines' and 'acting' etc.

Watch it by removing any prejudices beforehand, don't compare it to something else, and I will guarantee you that those almost two hours of your time will not be disappointing.