KUALA LUMPUR – Since streaming on Netflix for the past four days, the Malay blockbuster film Mat Kilau: Kebangkitan Pahlawan (Mat Kilau: Rise of the Warrior) has drawn the ire of many netizens on social media.
Average moviegoers who have supposedly seen the film for the first time are reportedly disappointed by its level of quality, despite its intention to tell the story of the Malay freedom fighter who is said to have countered the British colonial forces in Pahang in the 19th century and early part of the 20th.
Among the criticisms that netizens have levelled against the film is the quality of the cinematography in the action scenes, which has been panned for being poor.
“The cinematography of the action scenes is a mess. The actor moves once, and the camera shakes ten times,” said a Twitter user @KosmikPlays.
Baru habis tengok Mat Kilau.
— Burhan (@KosmikPlays) September 16, 2022
Sinematografi babak aksi kucar-kacir. Pelakon gerak sekali, kamera goyang 10 kali.
Guna tokoh sejarah untuk penceritaan tahap kartun Sabtu pagi.
Dialog ibarat ceramah yang ditujukan penonton IQ rendah.
Filem sempurna untuk orang Melayu ? pic.twitter.com/KX8vSiCfiV
@TengkuDTrace also made the same criticism of the perceived camera control which he said had spoiled the film.
“I swear, the camera has spoiled (the scenes) with shaking here and there. I think the other parts can be improved upon. It's just the camera, you have to improve it kaw kaw (immensely),” he said.
Kamera tu sumpah spoil goyang sana sini. Bab lain tu pada aku boleh improve lagi. Cuma kamera tu, kena improve kaw kaw
— Luke Man (@TengkuDTrace) September 16, 2022
Others have said that the film’s script reads like a boring lecture and fails to capture their attention.
Twitter user @mofiercee described the movie’s dialogue as cringeworthy and likened it to the comments made by “every boomer” on Facebook on Malay entertainment news posts.
“Watched it during break time, and we couldn’t finish it halfway. Watching Fattah Amin as a hero is just super weird. I could sense the awkwardness of him playing that character,” the user added.
Their dialog is cringy AF! Sounds just like every boomers in FB commenting on Malay entertainment news post.
— DanCematuSaja (@mofiercee) September 16, 2022
Watched it during break time and we couldnt finish it halfway. Watching FA as a hero is just super weird. I could sense that awkwardness of him playing that character. https://t.co/ZlipZY4C5L
@MrL961 who also agreed with the comment, said the dialogue was too direct and should have been symbolic, so that the audience can discuss it after the show.
“It’s a shame because the movie’s plot is not bad,” the user said.
Setuju bab dialog tu , terlalu direct mcm ptutnya buat simbolik supaya penonton boleh brbincang lps habis tayangan. Sayang plot not bad jgk sebenarnya
— JoshKim9 (@MrL961) September 16, 2022
@aizatnzr wrote: “The dialogue is basically the characters saying the same thing differently throughout the whole movie.”
The dialogue is basically the characters saying the same thing differently throughout the whole movie lol https://t.co/uLJUQWcuU7
— aizat (@aizatnzr) September 16, 2022
Meanwhile, Twitter user @adam_danial033 in expressed his dissatisfaction with the movie and said that the movie actually has the potential to be good regardless of whether it is fictional or historically accurate.
However, he praised the actors’ individual performances.
It's sad bcs it could've been a really good movie regardless if it's fictional nor historically accurate. Tapi mcm biasalah bila director and the production geng ethnosupremacist tak pelik kenapa cerita boleh rosak https://t.co/ElLe2TBKqc
— Malaysia Sekular ?? (@adam_danial033) September 16, 2022
“Just watched that last night. Good effort, but I give it 5/10. Went to the kitchen and toilet a few times because it was a bit boring.
“The actors are all the best. Acting is best individually. But the whole movie was so-so. Not a movie expert. Just my honest 2 cents,” @FitriahKhalidah remarked.
Baru tengok malam tadi. Good effort but I give it 5/10. Went to kitchen and toilet a few times because it was a bit boring. Pelakon semua best. Berlakon pun best individually. But the whole movie was so-so Not a movie expert. Just my honest 2 cents. ?? https://t.co/Th8SoLoMU3
— Miss Gloria (@FitriahKhalidah) September 16, 2022
Earlier, the film directed by Syamsul Yusof created history when it became the highest-grossing film in the country’s film history.
After 33 days of being screened in cinemas, Mat Kilau: Rise of Heroes collected more than RM90 million, surpassing Avengers: End Game, which collected RM87 million in Malaysia.
The movie has courted a great deal of controversy. Among the objections is the portrayal of Sikh troops under British command, who were depicted as being excessively violent.
Independent historian Ranjit Singh Malhi, who has highlighted various historical inaccuracies in the move, has said that it should only be promoted as a work of pure fiction and should not serve as a reference for the nation’s history. – The Vibes, September 19, 2022
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