this looks like........

i thought the movie was pretty straight, it started out a lil shaky martial arts wise but it picked up more and more with every fight scene especially the end fight

While I thought the drama aspect was over blown, even boring at times (I mean really, this is a martial arts film, get to the ass kicking already) I felt the cinematography was pretty good, even original - like when the camera follows that one crook's fall from the rooftop.

It was fine, calm down.

You are being way too hard on this fine film. Maybe "Merantau" doesn't have as intense martial arts as "Ong Bak" but it does have a more solid story, a story that is more than a plot device to get to the next fight. And Iko Uwais can actually act; he's really good in this. Also, 1.5 hours... you must have seen the short version. You might really be bored with the 134 minute version; there is more story and character development, much of which has to do with the home life and family of Yuda, before he leaves for Jakarta. I don't know, this just feels more like a real film than Ong Bak.

The worst Martial Arts movie I ahve ever seen. Terrible script and absolute nonsense. I rated it 1 out of 10 because IMDB will not let me give it less.

"This film is better than Ong Bak. Better acting, better plot with actual character development, and great fight scenes. I didn't expect to actually care about the characters in this film (you do end up caring), and it has a gutsy ending. You could make the argument that Ong Bak has better fight scenes (not something I necessarily believe is true), but overall, "Merantau" is superior. "


Merantu is good but not better than Ong Bak at all. The acting is way better I say. Tony Jaa is a terrible actor. Iko Uwais is a much better. Maybe even the story is a little better but the action pales in comparison to Ong Bak. The action and camera editing doesn't have the same fire as Ong Bak. I haven't had the same desire to rewatch Merantau as I did Ong Bak.

The first ong bak was just sort of an exhibition for tony jaa...merantau tries to be all emotional and *beep* lol...it was a good movie but nowhere near as good as people like you played it up to be...the music was weak the script and camera work could of been better...and wow he died at the end thats the only thing thats slightly different...even ong bak 2 is better then this one...and tony jaa is way more fun to watch

Kujo1, "This film is better than Ong Bak. Better acting, better plot with actual character development, and great fight scenes. I didn't expect to actually care about the characters in this film (you do end up caring), and it has a gutsy ending. You could make the argument that Ong Bak has better fight scenes (not something I necessarily believe is true), but overall, "Merantau" is superior."

Agreed! I enjoyed the fights in Ong Bak more but I liked everything else about Merantau more. Really though, the films aren't very alike aside from the vague similarity in the main actors' appearance.

DISPLAY thy breasts, my Julia!

Yeah, like searching for his elephants for example.
*beep* story telling. Tom Yum Goong was all about Tony Jaa crushing people in amazing ways. Menratu wasn't on the same level as martial arts cinematography goes.

I think Ong Bak as the more obvious stand-out moments, but as an overall film merantau is streaks ahead, I agree. I couldn't help but laugh through most of Ong Bak. Other than certain set pieces, the film is a bit of a joke.