SYNOPSICS
Merantau (2009) is a Indonesian,English movie. Gareth Evans has directed this movie. Iko Uwais,Sisca Jessica,Christine Hakim,Mads Koudal are the starring of this movie. It was released in 2009. Merantau (2009) is considered one of the best Action,Drama movie in India and around the world.
In Minangkabau, West Sumatera, Yuda a skilled practitioner of Silat Harimau is in the final preparations to begin his "Merantau" a century's old rites-of-passage to be carried out by the community's young men that will see him leave the comforts of his idyllic farming village and make a name for himself in the bustling city of Jakarta. After a series of setbacks leave Yuda homeless and uncertain about his new future, a chance encounter results in him defending the orphaned Astri from becoming the latest victim of a European human trafficking ring led by the wildly psychotic, Ratger and his right-hand man Lars. With Ratger injured in the mêlée and seeking both his "merchandise" and bloody retribution, Yuda's introduction to this bustling city is a baptism of fire as he is forced to go on the run with Astri and her younger brother Adit as all the pimps and gangsters that inhabit the night hound the streets chasing their every step. With escape seemingly beyond their grasp, Yuda has no ...
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Merantau (2009) Reviews
A new Martial Arts Star has emerged with a refreshing new Martial Arts Style!! Man, I love Asian Cinema!!
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.
First time I've been ever in an in-theater applause...
At first, looking at the way the managed the poster and all..I thought this would just be another copy-cat movie (well, we had to admit, neighboring countries cinema are way earlier in successfully creating such motion pictures) But... All the fighting scheme, supporting casts, location, technicalities...this movie is surely one helluva fresh breeze into Indonesian Cinema. Last night, I was literally stunned and amazed by especially the actions and plot this movie had brought. The spirit of Nationalism, Humanism and Martial Artistry is carried out at its best!! Can't believe my own two hands when I clapped them together with the whole theater last night... Surely, one step toward a better cinema for Indonesia.. Bravo!!
How this tumbles the last decade of MA movies
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.
A Nutshell Review: Merantau Warrior
Rejoice action fans over this region! South-east Asia has a new action hero hailing from Indonesia, and his name is Iko Uwais. We've already got Tony Jaa showcasing Thailand's Muay Thai, and now we've got Uwais to introduce a different brand of Silat which we have been exposed to thus far, thanks to the SEA Games but that's more like a Wushu event, which is more exhibition. It's still quite amazing to see what is usually seen on TV as executed in exhibition pace, to take on an entirely different form when in combat mode. Merantau - and Singapore has to add a "Warrior" to the title so that we know it's an action film, duh - is a well executed, entertaining film as far as actioners are concerned. Uwais stars as Yuda, a coming of age young adult who has to leave his village and go through a rites of passage in a Merantau, which is something equivalent of an Australian aboriginal walkabout. He sets his sights on Jakarta and has plans to set up a Silat school, only for his contact to go missing with nary a trace. Bumming around while figuring out his next course of action, he chanced upon the siblings of Adit (Yusuf Aulia) and Astri (Sisca Jessica), the latter whom is picked up by gangsters to be part of a sex trafficking ring, and thus begin his discovery of his destiny and calling as the unofficial protector against the meek and weak. Yes the storyline isn't much to behold naturally, though as far as action films go, this one satisfies its own cursory, flimsy tale to hold all the spectacular action sequences together, giving it some reason to have Uwais go on a rampage, showcasing personal prowess, and to add Silat as a martial arts of choice amongst so many that have its fair share of a cinematic outing, from Ip Man's Wing Chun, to Ong Bak's Muay Thai. It's hard hitting silat harimau here, which has its distinctive low centre of gravity positioning, sweeping leg motions to unbalance the opposition, and very direct and hard hitting palming aimed squarely at the opponent's chest to literally knock the wind out of. What also worked here is the action cinematography. We all remember how Jaa smashed into the scene with its repetitive action sequences cut from different camera angles, done ad nausem. Here, the filmmakers had good sense in working a very wonderfully designed, and common sensical presentation in not relying on quick edits and jump cuts, allowing the action to flow naturally, and presented in its full glory. I particularly enjoyed moments where a revolving 360 degree view gets employed, especially when Yuda has to tackle opponents all round. And Yuda is no one man superman too, which worked well for the story, having to see his fair share of failures, as well as shortcomings in his rookie fish-out-of-water situation. While there are moments inserted for dramatic breathing space, the action sequences aren't forgotten and got interspersed adequately within the first few acts, until the last one which became a non-stop, adrenaline pumping finale that was reminiscence of old Hong Kong action flicks, or even Bruce Lee ones, where the protagonist go up against incredible odds, and one on one (or two) situations against Caucasian villains, who are portrayed here in quite over-the-top fashion in need of a good hard kick up the arse. Granted this is no perfect film with a number of continuity errors spotted, the set action pieces were a sight to behold despite some moments being wire-obvious, mixing things up with components other than Silat all the way, with a few which stood out as campy fun. Keep your eye out for that towel scene, and one of my personal favourites was one that involved a bamboo pole which the trailer included. Uwais also proves that he's quite comfortable with the sickle and metallic staff / batons which got used quite frequently here by hero and villains alike. Action junkies will do yourselves no favour if you miss Iko Uwais maiden cinematic outing on the big screen. It may not be perfect, but it mattered for what it set out to do – establish a new action hero from our region, and to promote the form of martial arts in Silat.
awesome action movie, excellent direction by Gareth, breathtaking choreography by iko uwais.
Cole Abaius of Film School Rejects calls the film a "Mind-exploding action sequences coupled with genuine emotional impact." Harry Knowles of Ain't It Cool opines that the film is "a tremendous martial arts film"; noting it as an "outstanding" film. Moises Chiullan of Hollywood Elsewhere wrote that the film is "one of the more compelling and powerful martial arts films" he has seen. Andrew Mack, reviewing for Twitch Film, wrote that the film "is the next great martial arts film to come out and one of the best this past decade." Todd Brown, on another review for Twitch Film, praises the film by saying that it "serves very loud notice that Indonesia is back in the action game." Mike Leeder of Impact Magazine expresses his excitement toward the film, saying that it "proves Indonesian action cinema can stand alongside the best of the rest of the world." Gareth Evan's Merantau is a very finely photographed & expertly choreographed film. It's an action film that will satisfy most action fans in more ways than one. The movie is almost non-stop action from start till end. Iko Uwais is really a great athlete and martial artist. The budget was low but the movie never felt cheesy or tiresome. It had a decent story compared to other action movies n completely different ending. Was not even aware of Gareth Evans or iko uwais. I was completely impressed with Gareth evan's direction n Uwais' action scenes. After watching this I became a fan of Gareth n Uwais. Their next collaboration "raid 1 n raid 2" were the best action flicks in a decade. God bless them both n looking forward for raid 3 n their future projects.