Nasi Lemak 2.0

When I came to know about the release of this movie, I flew back to Malaysia, making sure all my important work was completed. When I was a teenager, I used to watch Namewee's vids on You Tube. I looked at them in a different perspective and found them positive in a way. Nasi Lemak 2.0 is way more positive compared to his You Tube vids. This movie encourages Malaysians to be united in a harsh, but funny way. Our hero Namewee travels to 3 places, meeting 3 people of different races and cultures. Although this movie is simple, it carries a very deep meaning about unity. I find this movie awesome because Namewee has proved himself worthy in Malaysia through this never-before-made film. In conclusion, this movie is a must-watch for all audiences. Don't miss it!!

For Malaysians of all races, "Nasi Lemak 2.0" has a built-in lure. Its film-maker and rapper, Wee Chee Meng (better known as Namewee) has attained such notoriety on YouTube and in the news (for various offences which I don't care to mention here) that his name has become synonymous with rebelliousness and subversiveness.

If anything, the public would want to know what he's up to this time around with this movie called "Nasi Lemak 2.0". Is he going to make an ass of himself again? Or make asses out of his cast? But wait, the so-called '1-Malaysia comedy', reportedly made on a shoe-string RM1-million budget, has grossed RM7 million at the local box-office! That should raise a lot of eyebrows, especially of people like me who consider this production a low-brow comedy. Of course, the clamour by a group for the movie to be banned must have given a new boost to its takings.

Namewee plays Chef Huang, a young cook who sets out with his new-found friend Xiao K (Karen Kong) to find the ingredients and make the best nasi lemak in the country. In his quest, he meets up with various local celebs like Datuk David Arumugam, Afdlin Shauki, Reshmonu and Kenny and Chee, and learn what being in a multi-racial country like Malaysia is all about - besides how to make good sambal and curry, of course.

The movie, mostly in Mandarin and local Chinese dialects, looks like it has been rewritten from Stephen Chow Sing-chi's 'mo-lei-tau' (or nonsense) comedies, especially the 1996 "God Of Cookery". Having Karen Kong made up in such clownish-looking eyebrows and spectacles reminds us of the Smoking Landlady (Yuen Qiu) in Chow's Kungfu Hustle, except that Karen Kong's Xiao K just looks silly and not funny. Ditto that for most of the so-called comic sequences in the movie.

The narrative is illogical and messy but in the absurdist sequences can be found a few comic gems. The main plot about the quest for the best nasi lemak recipes is really the 'side dish'. The real garnishings are those little gestures, the song and dance numbers, and visuals that take a swipe at Malaysian culture, society and politics. Examples of these are a kris-wielding scene reminiscent of the exploits of an Umno personality; the famous "looks like me, sounds like me, but is not me" quote refuting a video-clip; and allusions to other Malaysian politicians.

I would like to think that Namewee had fun as the 'hero' in this movie, but his efforts are too self-indulgent and crude to be hilarious. Again, he opts to use obscenities, naming his characters Lan Qiao (colloquial for 'penis') and Gong See Fatt, and idiotic situations that make us cringe rather than laugh. However, his use of local celebs, like Adibah Noor, Afdlin Shauki, David Arumugam, Patrick Teoh and Kenny & Chee help to spark and sustain audience interest in the plot. As director, he seems to have allowed his 'guest stars' to run loose and do whatever they want with their cameos. Let's hope Namewee learns from his flaws and not wallow in its RM7-million gross.

This movie is slightly better than his new one. But omg. Its still so poor. Especially the plot.

Well if you do not have any expectation. And if you do not have a brain....this is a good movie 😂😂😂

Long before the movie has its opening in theater I watched the trailer of this movie from youtube, which was uploaded by the director Namewee, or more familiar by the local Chinese community with his real name Wong Meng Chee.

Right after the video time slider reached its end, I started to doubt: "Wow, is this really going to be a good movie?!" Though the trailer itself could tell the major plot of this movie, the scenes selected just lack of attractiveness. This bring up so much of worries.

Well, my worry was not from the perspective of a fans, but a loyal viewer of the videos created by him. Having seen through so much of his videos, I definitely love the ways he conveys the messages, though most of it were filled with some f-word, but come on, this is what we called "the way of youth"

With this doubtful feeling, I walked into the theater and waits for the movie playing. After the opening credits was shown, I started to get some relieve. As the movie playing along, there were quite some moments that let me have a good laugh. Some scenes were just too cute that you can't help loving it, seriously! Just like the comment from 4 Malay wives on HuangDaXia: "So cute~~~"

What I admired the most from this movie? Well, it definitely goes to the insert song of this movie - "Curry Neh" I totally have no idea how Namewee wrote the lyric that sounds so similar to the Tamil language. The effect of this song is indefinable. All these just show a fact that a trailer is not really reliable, like the trailer of a horror film that bring your hope high but eventually turned out to be a awfully scripted film.

From a youtuber to a big screen director, I think even Namewee himself would think how intriguing it is by looking back all the way he'd gone through.

All the best in your film career, Namewee! and... By the way, I watched this film in theater twice and planned to add this title to my DVD collection, WALAO EH!