Cinematography was cool! (great use of light) The editing & score was right on and I really enjoyed watching Iko Uwais in the fight scenes (what a cutie...I'm going to watch for him in other movies). This was an exciting movie to watch. I got kind of tickled at the overly squishy sound effects tho.
I liked it too. I have been in an Asian movie binge lately and just added this to my list last night. Don't expect an epic movie, if you accept it for what it is, you will probably like it.
THE GOOD:
For me the best thing about the movie is Sisca Jessica. She is so cute, and a pretty good actress as well.
The fight scenes were surprisingly well done for what looks like a pretty low budget affair.
NO STUPID SLOW MOTION!!! YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!
Getting to see some of a country we seldom see in movies. It would have been nice if it had shown a bit more of the Indonesian culture though.
The scene with the bad guy with glass shards jutting out of his face was pretty cool.
THE NOT SO GOOD:
The lead guy is really good at the fighting, but pretty weak as an actor. He really does not command the screen.
The main bad guy brothers were pretty lame.
The first 30 minutes were pretty hard to sit thru. I am glad I did not turn it off but I was close to it.
Getting to see some of a country we seldom see in movies. It would have been nice if it had shown a bit more of the Indonesian culture though.
The lead guy is really good at the fighting, but pretty weak as an actor. He really does not command the screen.
Merantau is his first time job as an actor and I think he did a decent job as a first timer.
..check his second movie; THE RAID: REDEMPTION (also from the same crew and director of this movie).