Heavily inspired by Ong Bak, Iko Uwais stars in a film introducing silat to Western audiences.
Can’t really review this film without significant comparisons to Ong Bak. Released in 2003, Ong Bak was the debut film for Tony Jaa (as Merantau is for Iko Uwais). Ong Bak focused on a martial arts prodigy from rural Thailand that went on a journey to the big city (Bangkok) and encountered trials and tribulations after arrival. Merantau focuses on a martial arts prodigy from rural Indonesia that goes on a journey to the big city (Jakarta) and encounters trials and tribulations after arrival. In both films they befriend a female companion and meet a big brother type of character before encountering the underworld elements. In Ong Bak, the underworld elements were heirloom and drug smuggling, in Merantau its human trafficking. Both films have very entertaining setpieces and chases inside the big city, showcasing the athleticism of the actors.
Now to focus on Merantau, the reason I don’t rate it as highly as Ong Bak, is because of how close the stories are and because the villains are trash. Just two generic white guys that appear to be pulled straight out of Who Am I. Additionally, the “shuffling” that Iko Uwais displays with his silat while in extended scenes doesn’t seem natural, compared to the composure of Tony Jaa’s muay thai.
Unfortunately, there was little cultural impact with this film but Uwais and director Gareth Evans would eventually create a legendary film just a couple years later…
Rescreened March 26 on Plex. Also available for free on various platforms (Tubi, Pluto, etc.).
