Malbatt: Misi Bakara

The storyline is based on a true story of the Malaysian Peacekeeping Battalion (MALBATT) rescuing the American soldiers in Somalia, way back in 1993. So, the plot focuses on the mission of saving the soldiers after the black hawk down.

The pace is good! It starts fast with a thrilling rescue mission, and follows with another more challenging mission, having gun fights from the beginning to the end.

Basically, the action is mainly focused on the gun fights and attacks from the Somali terrorists. About 60% of the time, our MALBATT crews are stranded in the APC (Armoured Personnel Carriers); 10% talk and shout over the communication device; and 30% is fighting on the ground with the Somalia terrorists.

As the entire movie takes place in a very confined location, e.g. Narrow pathways and alleys, with non-stop and repetitive gun shots + RPG attacks, you will start getting visually exhausted. There is NO big attack that enhances your visual excitement throughout the movie, making it flat after a while.

Besides, it maybe better if the movie could explain the political situation in Somalia; otherwise, audiences could hardly understand what had happened in Somalia, and what the Americans had done to them, making them so against the Americans or UN troops.

The CGI is quite poor in a few parts. This is particularly obvious, for instance, explosions on the APC, in the UN camp, and the ending part. They are so uncomfortably faked that it spoils the movie quite a bit.

In terms of the cast, basically most actors are performing well, especially Shaheizy Sam, who is outstanding. To sooth the over-masculine effect, the director appears to intentionally insert a female role in the movie. Somehow, it is rather extra, and it adds no value to the movie at all!

For a local production, with all the great effort and investment in the scenes, APC, tanks, and so on, I gave 7.0/ 10.0. It is more of a movie that pays great respect and salutes to the great Malaysian armed forces for doing an excellent job! Without watching it, I had NO IDEA that Malaysia was involved in the rescue mission after Black Hawk down. Of all the three local armed forces movie productions - PASKAL, AIR FORCE and MABALL, I still love PASKAL the BEST!!!!

Just as I was able to watch the premiere of the movie, I think the scripts is built in a superb way, and the acting is great overall. There were some parts that confuses me such as weapons mechanics and the fact that there is repetitive shooting scenes, but I think they are alright and the VFX is also great considering the fact that this movie local made and I haven't seen much movies going this far with great assets and props usage.

I would give it an 8, but the storytelling embedded is truly meaningful and tells a lot about what actually happens there. Personally, I think it's an outstanding movie that could do better. But it would definitely deserve a 9 from me. I would recommend it.

First of all, I'm no fans of Malaysian movies. I can count on one hand the Malaysian movies that I watched on the big screen. But this MALBATT: Misi Bakara, I should give credits where credit dues.

I've been waiting for this movie since Black Hawk Down released in year 2000. When I heard they making this MALBATT movie, I'm so excited and been waiting since to watch it in cinema. For me, Black Hawk Down is just half of the story of the Battle of Mogadishu. It is being told from the point of view of the American Forces. What is their mission, what happened during the mission and how they managed to get out. Not much being focused on the rescuers because it is not their focus. Now, Malaysia has done justice to MALBATT by telling the other half of the battle. How the rescue starts and how the rescue ends.

On the story itself, the budget of RM20mil is very small for a war movie. War movies need lots of casts and extras, lots of equipments, lots of weapons, lots of vehicles. Furthermore, the war is located in foreign country. There is no location in Malaysia can be used for war scenes, thus the logistic cost is also big. All being said, with the budget given, Adrian Teh and the team has doing very well indeed.

About the story line, it is the most unviolent war movies I ever watched. Even 2 years old kid can watched it with their parents and I saw lots of families came to watch the movies bringing their toddlers. Don't worry about exploded heads, chopped hands, torn legs etc. I'm not expecting that either. Out of 130 mins, I think more than 100 mins is about shooting scenes.

Lastly, the tributes to the real heroes, and the only fallen one Kpl Aznan Awang is really touching me.

My conclusion, maybe this movie is not as good as other war movies out there, but it is Made in Malaysia and it is based on true stories, superb acting, well directed with a tinge of comedy and without discrediting any of the American Special Forces. It is just what it is out there. Go watch it guys and be proud of our MALBATT.

So refreshing to see another country's contribution recognised in a UN action, and for a different perspective than the US's.

The script was heart felt and showed the men's bravery, their faith, their pride in their country, their struggle with dealing with conflict in another muslim nation.

There were outstanding acting performances (perhaps not from some of the English speaking actors, but hey they only had minor parts).

Action sequences were well done, and the sense of the tight almost claustrophobic feeling of those narrow streets added to the tension.

I am glad to see the producers made the time to tell this important Malaysian story, and shared it with the world.

6.2/10 (Recommend)

This film follows up the events of the Battle of Mogadishu as seen in the film "Black Hawk Down". I've never read anything on the rescue and retreat of US forces during the battle so this film is the only account I have. A quick Google search shows that the events in the film may be slightly altered from the events in real life.

This film is both very good and terrible at the same time. My biggest gripe is the visuals. Nearly every vehicle, spec of dust, bullet, and explosion are CGI. Nothing looks like a physical set. A majority of the time it just feels like the actors are walking in front of a screen. It's all very distracting when you're trying to enjoy the story.

The acting is a bit rigid, but I did find a common ground where I liked the Malaysian soldiers. Different militaries act different ways and not everyone is as laid back as the Americans or the English. This might be the nerd in me, but I liked the voice procedure. It felt natural and real, and kind of met the standard that I'm used to.

The pacing is very quick. You can't read every line that pops up especially when they're telling you who a person is because while you're mid reading the spoken line takes over. A lot of close up shots which were both good and bad because it definitely brings you into the action, but it also keeps you in too long to get a feel for what's happening.

This film to me felt like the Malaysians were trying to gripe, educate, and remember the event all in one. Gripe about not being fully appreciated for the efforts they contributed to the mission which I totally get. Twenty years is a long time to wait for a thanks. Educate people to say, "we were there too and the Americans couldn't have done it without us". Also to remember the men and their efforts. They lost one and seven were injured during the rescue.

Overall, despite the poor visuals and quick reading of subtitles it wasn't an all bad movie. It's definitely worth a watch through if you like war films. If it could've been Hollywood backed it could've been slightly more invigorating, but then again it may have lacked the authenticity wanted for the film.

That's all for now. Thank you for taking the time to read my review. Until next time.... Enjoy the show!