Andrew Mack : Merantau is the next great martial arts film to come out and is the best one this decade. That's really all I want to write about it. I think it is that good. Let me expound on that some though............
Because Merantau is a film that takes its first moments to explore its character Yuda and draw you into his life, because of the time spent to establish character and endear us to him and his family we're there, willingly, ready to cheer him on. Other than previous powerhouse martial arts films to emerge from Asia of the past couple years Merantau takes its time to explore its central hero, to familiarize us with this stage in his life. We are allowed the time to become emotionally invested in his journey. ....That's the first 30 minutes. The rest of the hour and fifteen minutes is some of the best fighting and action set pieces you will ever see.
Though perhaps risky of Evans to take a unknown quantity in newcomer Iko Uwais he proves that he is equal to the task and not only delivers tip top action but also enough dramatic chutzpah to keep us interested in his life and his choices. He has great presence on the screen and nothing feels awkward about his acting skills. Iko Uwais is the real deal! He can act. He can kick ass. He looks good on the screen. He has a lot going for him that a lot of martial arts actors haven't been able to either attain or find the right balance of.
Brandon Curtis : There’s not much to say about Indonesian martial arts film “Merantau” that isn’t complementary. For being the region’s first martial arts film in over fifteen years it seems like a triumphant return to form, the action choreography is, in a word, stellar and the film itself is, well, gorgeous. At least, the best looking movie I’ve seen since “My Blueberry Nights.”
Dr. Cole Abaius : It’s movies like these that put me in an awkward position. As some of you may realize, my very first review here on FSR was for Ong Bak and I gave it an “A.” After all, it deserves it. It’s a fantastic movie that’s fun and displays some incredible martial arts. But considering that Merantau is much, much better than Ong Bak, I find myself searching for a grade above “A.”
That may seem like a bold claim, but it’s obvious to anyone who’s seen both films. Merantau is a brilliant display of a complex martial art where the fighting is organic to the characters and the camera picks it up exactly how it needs to be. There are no repeated shots here for effect – just good old-fashioned cinematography that keeps a keen focus on the two (or the thirty) fighters that are going at each other. It adds to the scene while allowing the fight to naturally show off its intensity without the aid of fancy edits or camera tricks.
Holy shit where the f..k did this movie come from? Oh yeah Indonesia. This movie kicked me square. Im just now taking the ice pack off my junk. Not even sure where to start with this movie. The best single description I can think of is the movie is like if Tony Jaa actually starred in a professionally made movie. Ive watched hundreds of martial arts movies in my life and I can attest that this is some of the best martial arts cinematography that ive ever seen.
Drew McWeeny :
Now the thing about Jaa's films is that, like most martial arts movie star vehicles, they're good enough. But when I see a movie that both introduces an exciting new martial arts movie star AND actually works as a film on its own terms, well-directed, genuinely well-acted on all fronts... well, that's an event. And believe me... that's exactly the right term to describe "Merantau."
Iko Uwais is the star of "Merantau," and he's pretty much the whole package as a movie star. He's charming, he handles himself well in all the emotional material, and he convincingly plays the transformation from young man fresh off the farm to moral hero.
And he kicks unholy ass.
The Lost Bladesman is an upcoming Hong Kong historical martial arts film adapted from the story of Guan Yu crossing five passes and slaying six generals in Luo Guanzhong's historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms. It stars Donnie Yen as Guan, who also served as the film's action director. Written and directed by Alan Mak and Felix Chong. Filming began in March 2010 and wrapped up on 30 June 2010.
Synopsis :
In AD 200 during the late Eastern Han Dynasty, Cao Cao eliminates his political opponents Dong Cheng and others, before turning his attention towards rival warlords Liu Bei and Yuan Shao. To avoid fighting a war on two fronts, Cao Cao decides to attack Liu Bei first, and swiftly defeats Liu in Xu Province. Liu Bei flees north to join Yuan Shao, while his family is captured by the enemy. Liu Bei's sworn brother Guan Yu conditionally surrenders to Cao Cao to uphold his oath of brotherhood and preserve his honour.
Months later, Yuan Shao leads a large army south to attack Cao Cao and both sides clash at the Battle of Boma. In that battle, Guan Yu slays Yuan Shao's general Yan Liang and receives an honorary title of " Marquis of Hanshou " from Cao Cao for his effort. Cao Cao hopes that Guan Yu will continue serving him and showers him with gifts and rewards, but is rejected by the latter. Guan Yu is secretly in love with his sworn brother's concubine Qilan, but is afraid to express his feelings to her. Qilan reproaches Guan Yu for serving Cao Cao. By then, Guan Yu has also received news of Liu Bei's whereabouts, so he prepares to leave Cao Cao.
Cao Cao is reluctant to let Guan Yu go, so he tricks Guan into consuming wine spiked with aphrodisiac, in hope that Guan will show his love to Qilan. However, Guan Yu manages to remain rational and did not take his sworn brother's concubine for himself. Eventually, Guan Yu escorts Liu Bei's spouses out of Cao Cao's territory to rejoin his sworn brother. Cao Cao is unable to stop Guan Yu and gives orders for the defending generals at the various passes to let Guan Yu through. Despite so, Cao Cao's followers feel that Guan Yu will become a threat to them if he succeeds in escaping, so they plot to have Guan killed. Guan Yu then embarks on a dangerous long journey through the passes to reunite with Liu Bei.
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Post time 13-12-2009 04:32 PM
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