Films have the ability to recreate ideas and shift perception about almost everything; it can redefine the image of a nation, catapult actors into superstardom and change the history of movie making for any country. Provided the movie is groundbreaking and well executed. The South Korean movie industry had their pivotal turning point with espionage actioneer Shiri , a North vs South, spy-vs-spy tale injected with romance in 1999. Similarly with Thailand and their stomach churning real-action bone-cracking fight-porn Ong Bak in 2003. So what is Malaysia's turning-point movie that can change history? Has there been one? Sadly, no. Until now that is. Possibly, with Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa, also known as the Malay Chronicles: Bloodline.
The Skinny: "Based loosely on the 16th century historical document entitled ‘The Malay Annals', ‘The Chronicles of Merong Mahawangsa' is an action-packed epic feature film, with mythical characters, magical moments and dazzling visual-effects sequences. Merong Mahawangsa was a descendant of Alexander the Great, a renowned naval captain and traveller who came to Asia several hundred years ago." Synopsis taken from The Film Catalogue.
The Helmer: Yusry A Halim - Cicak Man 2: Planet Hitam (2008), Cicak Man (2006)
The Casts: Stephen Rahman Hudges (Malaysia/UK), Jing Lu (UK), Gavin Stenhouse (UK), Hendrik Norman (Sweden), Craig Fong (Australia). Other local talents also includes, Dato Rahim Razali, Wan Hanafi Su, Ummi Nazeera, Khir Rahman, Nell Ng, Keith Chong, Jehan Miskin, Deborah hanry, Ravi Sunderlingam, Kuswadinata, Mano Maniam and Faiz Aizuddin Azmi.
The Prediction: This big budget (by Malaysian standards) movie is the brainchild of brothers KRU, the extraordinary Norman, Edry and director Yusry. Best known early in their career as rap singers for group KRU. Nowadays, they're mainly in the business of producing new talents and making movies. This movie looks pretty good going by the trailer, although the pale sheen of CGI somehow shines through the hectic scenes drops it several notches below a full-fledged epic. Having said that, it would be good if the whole movie expands on the promise of what we've seen in the few minutes shown.
The Prediction: This big budget (by Malaysian standards) movie is the brainchild of brothers KRU, the extraordinary Norman, Edry and director Yusry. Best known early in their career as rap singers for group KRU. Nowadays, they're mainly in the business of producing new talents and making movies. This movie looks pretty good going by the trailer, although the pale sheen of CGI somehow shines through the hectic scenes drops it several notches below a full-fledged epic. Having said that, it would be good if the whole movie expands on the promise of what we've seen in the few minutes shown.
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