If you are not afraid of watching foreign action movies, then you should definitely check out ‘Headshot’ with Iko Uwais.
What do I mean by that?
There are many folks out there who think that if a movie doesn’t come from Hollywood, it automatically doesn’t deserve one’s attention, mainly because the actors are from a different race and the language they speak is not English.
They think that watching such a movie would be uncomfortable, so to speak and we know that humans are naturally afraid of exiting their comfort zone.
Well, it may be odd at first, but after a while, especially if it is a good film, the experience becomes more than just worthwhile.
‘Headshot’ is such a good action film that it could change one’s perception about watching foreign cinema.
It is the new movie starring the Indonesian young action star with a boyish charm Iko Uwais who gained international fame with his exhilarating performance in “The Raid: Redemption” and “The Raid 2: Berandal”.
The Indonesian martial arts action thriller first premiered at the Toronto Film Festival in 2016 and received positive reviews.
Contents
The Plot…
…is simple and easy to assimilate just like the huge part of the action movies are.
A young man with a serious head trauma is found in unconsciousness on the shore by a fisherman and taken to the hospital where a beautiful nurse starts taking care of him.
It appears that due to the serious head injury, the man that the nurse starts to call Ishmael has lost his memory and doesn’t have a clue who he is.
Shortly after his physical recovery, his deadly past comes after him unleashing series of violent events that become a threat not only to him but also to the nurse that he starts to get attached to.
Soon, Ishmael finds out shocking news about his bloody past and from the prey, he becomes the hunter.
The Cast…
…is excellent.
In fact, there are several other actors from the celebrated “The Raid 2: Berandal” like for example the beautiful Julie Estelle who played the “Hammer Girl” and Tri Yulisman who portrayed “Baseball Bat Man”
Now she is in the role of the sinister killer Rika and Tri plays the violent thug Besi.
One actor who deserves big applause is Sunny Pang. He plays the villain Lee. He is so convincing that it becomes difficult not to hate him because of the horrific things that he does throughout the movie.
The gorgeous Chelsea Islan adds the necessary dose of sweetness in the film in the role of the nurse and friend of Ishmael Ailin.
Speaking of Ishmael, Iko Uwais’s performance is a must-see for every action fan.
The film gives him a stage to show off his martial arts potential and as always, it is very enjoyable to watch him perform.
Now, let’s go a bit more straightforwardly.
Why is ‘Headshot’ a great action movie?
First off, let’s try to define what a great action movie could mean.
Is a movie classified as good by its rating and reviews?
Because if it is so, then ‘Headshot’ falls within this category.
It has an average rating of 6.6 out of 10 on IMDB as well as 72{79d35de7db29101ba9e6698f70e90b6e3dcdf27517e01d2784b5cf4bdf9b4e0e} rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 40 reviews.
Is an action movie considered to be good or bad based on the quality (or quantity) of its action scenes and fight sequences?
Of course, it is. That is one of the main criteria for a good (or bad) action flick.
Luckily, the Indonesian action-thriller qualifies as good according to these criteria.
It contains many spectacular, mesmerizing fight scenes – mass ones as well as some intense one on one fights, all brilliantly directed.
The movie is R-rated, meaning that it is bloody, brutal and at some points, really gruesome, which enhances the sensation of realism and delivers a heart-pounding experience.
In that aspect, it is reminiscent of “The Raid: Berandal”. It is almost as intense and brutal as the movie considered by many critics as “quite possibly one of the best action movies ever made”.
In any case, the creators of the film tried to follow the successful formula that worked perfectly in “The Raid” films.
The fight scenes in the precinct, where Ishmael meets his former childhood comrades with murderous intentions are terrific and insanely fast and action-packed.
One thing noticeable is that the use of CGI is set to a minimum.
Most probably it is due to the fact that the movie almost misses explosions and gunfire.
The actors practice the Asian martial art form known as Silat – the one also used in “The Raid”.
It is much more fun to watch how the characters are slaughtering each other or fighting each other with bare hands than to see them shoot themselves from a distant range.
The actors have done an excellent job and managed to create very likable characters.
Two thumbs up for the talented Julie Estelle who is fantastic as the cruel sidekick of Lee. She looks like a femme fatale and shows some stunning martial arts skills.
In an action movie, the role of the villain is as important as the role of the hero.
In ‘Headshot’, the villain is wonderfully portrayed by Sunny Pang in the role of Lee – the mad mind responsible for transforming innocent kids into grown up merciless killers.
Lee is atrocious, psychotic and with an undeniable charisma that can almost be touched.
His flawless martial arts skills and sick ambitions make him a tough opponent and a man of terror that no one would want to encounter.
Sunny Pang is arguably one of the strong parts of the movie.
Another thing that plays a huge role for the success of an action film is its ending.
It is usually the part where the action reaches its peak and that is the case with the Indonesian film.
‘Headshot’ has a very well-executed and memorable ending. The constantly building throughout the entire film tension explodes spectacularly like a volcanic avalanche in the very end.
And it is that hot and painful.
It is engaging and savagely violent, exactly like a good action film should be.
All characters meet their inevitable destiny and for many of them, that means gruesome and painful death.
So many Pros, what about the Cons?
No movie is flawless and ‘Headshot’ is not an exception.
The weakness of the movie comes mainly from the plot.
At some point, the script is too flat and even absurd. The same thing applies when it comes to the actions of some of the characters.
They act naïvely and it becomes too much obvious that in the real life no one would behave like they do.
Also, there are some huge plot holes which remain unexplained.
Final Verdict
‘Headshot’ is a thrilling and violent exploration of the dark side of the human nature.
It is bloody, brutal, fast-paced and highly entertaining.
The fight sequences are truly spectacular and the directors Kimo Stamboel and Timo Tjahjanto have done a great job with the actors.
Even with its flaws, ‘Headshot’ can be described with epithets like ‘gripping’ and ‘exciting’ action experience.
It is definitely an achievement in the Indonesian cinema that deserves worldwide attention.
Hollywood, take notes!
Summary
With its insane martial arts choreography and breathtaking brutality, ‘Headshot’ is the must-see action thriller from Indonesia that you just can’t afford to miss!
What is your favorite foreign action movie? Don’t leave me alone here. Drop me a comment below!