So I went out and watched Gundala today, and all in all, I quite enjoyed it.
Full disclosure: I usually don't watch Indonesian movies. The last one I saw was The Raid (2011), and before then probably Tjoet Nja Dhien (1988). So now in total 3 movies over 3 decades...
Gundala (from Javanese: lightning) is an Indonesian super hero, who gets his power from lightning strikes. He is part of a rich cast of Indonesian comic book superheros popular in the 70s and 80s. These comics were naturally influenced by American super hero comics, but also drew inspiration from Indonesian (particularly Javanese), Indian/Hindu and even Chinese folklore.
The recent popularity of films based on comic book heroes finally came to Indonesia, beginning with the Gundala movie. There are several movie to follow, in what is dubbed the Bumi Langit Cinematic Universe. With such an ambitious name, it is easy to compare it to that other super hero cinematic universe, but that would be unfair. For one thing, Gundala's entire budget was less than 5% of what Robert Downey Jr got paid for The Avengers!
With that in mind, the movie still delivered quite a lot. The set design was well done, creating a dystopian Jakarta (well.... more dystopian), gritty and rusty. The fight scenes and cinematography was fluid, if not quite reaching the level of The Raid. The acting was mostly natural, and didn't have the overacting that plagues most Indonesian films. Some of the dialogues were quite fun and even got me to laugh out loud once or twice (which is rare). In a lot of ways Gundala reminded me of Kung Fu Hustle. It also touched upon quite a bit of social critique: class divide, corruption, crime, racial tension.
The story itself is almost an afterthought, but then you don't usually watch action movies for the story. It is further confused by rather rough editing, so if you have a hard time following, it is not necessarily a language barrier issue. I am not going to go into the plot, but if you really want to know more, there is a wiki page for it.
Like all good super hero cinematic universe movies, it foreshadows up-coming movies. I quite like this. We got a glimpse of a young Godam, Merpati (before she becomes a super hero?), and the rebirth of the next super villain, Ki Wilawuk. Copying from the Marvel playbook, there is even a post-credit scene. In it we are introduced to Sri Asih, who is slated to be the titular character of the next Bumi Langit movie.
To summarize: should you watch the movie?
Well, if you didn't grow up to 70s Indonesian comics (which I imagine is almost all of you), then you will understandably be less excited for Gundala. I don't know if English subtitles are available anywhere in cinemas, but just think of it as a test of your Indonesian fluency...
That said, if you are interested in Indonesian movies and culture, or action flicks or super hero flicks, it is worth it to give this one a shot.
Full disclosure: I usually don't watch Indonesian movies. The last one I saw was The Raid (2011), and before then probably Tjoet Nja Dhien (1988). So now in total 3 movies over 3 decades...
Gundala (from Javanese: lightning) is an Indonesian super hero, who gets his power from lightning strikes. He is part of a rich cast of Indonesian comic book superheros popular in the 70s and 80s. These comics were naturally influenced by American super hero comics, but also drew inspiration from Indonesian (particularly Javanese), Indian/Hindu and even Chinese folklore.
The recent popularity of films based on comic book heroes finally came to Indonesia, beginning with the Gundala movie. There are several movie to follow, in what is dubbed the Bumi Langit Cinematic Universe. With such an ambitious name, it is easy to compare it to that other super hero cinematic universe, but that would be unfair. For one thing, Gundala's entire budget was less than 5% of what Robert Downey Jr got paid for The Avengers!
With that in mind, the movie still delivered quite a lot. The set design was well done, creating a dystopian Jakarta (well.... more dystopian), gritty and rusty. The fight scenes and cinematography was fluid, if not quite reaching the level of The Raid. The acting was mostly natural, and didn't have the overacting that plagues most Indonesian films. Some of the dialogues were quite fun and even got me to laugh out loud once or twice (which is rare). In a lot of ways Gundala reminded me of Kung Fu Hustle. It also touched upon quite a bit of social critique: class divide, corruption, crime, racial tension.
The story itself is almost an afterthought, but then you don't usually watch action movies for the story. It is further confused by rather rough editing, so if you have a hard time following, it is not necessarily a language barrier issue. I am not going to go into the plot, but if you really want to know more, there is a wiki page for it.
Like all good super hero cinematic universe movies, it foreshadows up-coming movies. I quite like this. We got a glimpse of a young Godam, Merpati (before she becomes a super hero?), and the rebirth of the next super villain, Ki Wilawuk. Copying from the Marvel playbook, there is even a post-credit scene. In it we are introduced to Sri Asih, who is slated to be the titular character of the next Bumi Langit movie.
To summarize: should you watch the movie?
Well, if you didn't grow up to 70s Indonesian comics (which I imagine is almost all of you), then you will understandably be less excited for Gundala. I don't know if English subtitles are available anywhere in cinemas, but just think of it as a test of your Indonesian fluency...
That said, if you are interested in Indonesian movies and culture, or action flicks or super hero flicks, it is worth it to give this one a shot.