Featured Audience Ratings

• Cynthia S

  
  Well here is a movie where the story took backstage to all the fighting scenes...and there are lots, and lots. Too many where the story actually gets lost. The actual story that it did have was decently done, as was the acting, but unfortunately there just isn't enough of that to… More
  Well here is a movie where the story took backstage to all the fighting scenes...and there are lots, and lots. Too many where the story actually gets lost. The actual story that it did have was decently done, as was the acting, but unfortunately there just isn't enough of that to make this a really good movie.

• Tsubaki S

  
  Poorly paced and repetitive fights, weak cast, weak direction. Long boring fights that go nowhere and so on. Don't believe the viral marketing some sites are throwing for this one. Maybe The Raid is actually better, but this one is not.

• Dean M

  
  Amazing Indonesian martial arts film I ever seen in the first time. 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… More
  Amazing Indonesian martial arts film I ever seen in the first time. 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 <i>Ip Man's</i> Wing Chun, to <i>Ong Bak's</i> Muay Thai. Iko Uwais is good fighter and really can act. Well-pace (a bit slow at start), solid action, nice camera work, brave-stunts, and the hero is just a human after all.

• Lorenzo v

  
  <i>"Every journey must begin with one small step."</i> 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… More
  <i>"Every journey must begin with one small step."</i> 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. <center><font size=+2 face="Century Schoolbook"><b><u>REVIEW</u></b></font></center> Our main character, Yuda, decides to leave his family's peaceful tomato farm and try his luck in Jakarta as a silat teacher ? and ended up proving to us once again that 'rural is good, urban is bad, but evil is foreign'. In short, Yuda got himself involved with two psychotic human traffickers, when he tried to help an erotic dancer from a pimp wanting to sell her to the foreigners. Frankly speaking, apart from the interesting view on Minangkabau traditions and landscape and a rather shocking ending, I cannot say much about the plot. (Is the homoeroticism between the two antagonists a subplot, I wonder?) And this film is almost torturingly long: perhaps it's because Evans wrote, directed, and edited the film himself. The duration is a sign left by his ego, when a sane-headed other person could help him editing parts that needn't be there so that the pace could be increased a bit.

• JY S

  
  Gareth Evan's <i>Merantau</i> is one enthralling martial arts movie out of Indonesia.<p>In short, this film is about a young man going on his "Merantau." Actually, a more fun way to describe the story is a young man goes to Jakarta and whoops some… More
  Gareth Evan's <i>Merantau</i> is one enthralling martial arts movie out of Indonesia.<p>In short, this film is about a young man going on his "Merantau." Actually, a more fun way to describe the story is a young man goes to Jakarta and whoops some major buttocks. At just around 1 hour and 45 minutes (international cut) this picture is not surprising at how it is set up. The first 30-45 minutes is all character and story, with a couple very small training sequences to serve as an appetizer. At this point the film is at the brink of finally unleashing the pain ... and it does.</p><p>The final hour or so contains a ton of action and there is only two, maybe three, slow motion shots. There is also no repeating shots from different angles for massive moves or hits. This is straight up high octane martial arts and stunt work. This truly is fantastic stuff.</p><p>Iko Uwais not only displays his Silat martial arts style, but he shows that he has the ability to act as well. Other than Sisca Jessica as the damsel in distress and Mads Koudal as the villain, there isn't much more to say about the acting.</p><p><i>Merantau</i> is one of those films where the action is pretty much all that matters, although there is a decent enough story to go along with it. Check it out if time allows.

• Caesar M

  
  Merantau is a great martial art film that can easily be compared to the first Ong Bak, in terms of action. The action is kick-ass and it keeps getting better and better. There is plenty of action sequences here to satisfy any action fan, unfortunately the downside is that it has a… More
  Merantau is a great martial art film that can easily be compared to the first Ong Bak, in terms of action. The action is kick-ass and it keeps getting better and better. There is plenty of action sequences here to satisfy any action fan, unfortunately the downside is that it has a decent story to tell with bad dialogue. The story really doesn't developed or gets better in any way, but overall if your in the mood for a good martial art film, you can't go wrong with Merantau.

• Fascade F

  
  A little bit slooooow in the beginning of this rather interesting centuries old leaving home adolescent to "proof of manhood" phase that this particular teenager Yuda (Iko Uwais) has went through. What an incredible transformation he has went through in such a short time.… More
  A little bit slooooow in the beginning of this rather interesting centuries old leaving home adolescent to "proof of manhood" phase that this particular teenager Yuda (Iko Uwais) has went through. What an incredible transformation he has went through in such a short time. His highest point of proof came when he has to go out of his way to prevent a trafficker from permanently turning Astri (Sisca Jessica) into a captive. In order to make that happen he had to rely and apply his intense knowledge of the martial art form of silat. The intensity of what he know when unleashed captivates your imagination as well as your interest as the movie reveals. See this it is surprisingly intense!

• Luke E

  
  In the Spirit of Ong Bak. Welshman Gareth H. Evans has introduced us to the Indonesian Martial Art Silat in this high-octane action film. about a young man on his tradition to leave his country home and persue his Merantau until he is worthy a man to come home. Iko Uwais gives light… More
  In the Spirit of Ong Bak. Welshman Gareth H. Evans has introduced us to the Indonesian Martial Art Silat in this high-octane action film. about a young man on his tradition to leave his country home and persue his Merantau until he is worthy a man to come home. Iko Uwais gives light to the indonesian film industry much like Tony Jaa did for Thailand. Perfomances from the actors are very robust, along with some interesting and engaging drama. Although its the action thats the star and fast pace of the film that make this watchable. On a down side its not as explosive as Ong Bak but its decent and recomended for Martial Arts fans.

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