WATCH NOW
Alright, it’s understandable that many of you have kind of moved away from the Marvel Cinematic Universe after 15 years. I get it. Some of you might be excited for a time when there aren’t as many comic book films. That is reasonable.
Can I show you Indonesia’s answer to the MCU before you go? A few years ago, I watched the movie GUNDALA, directed by Joko Anwar SATANS SLAVES, a film from 2019 based on a 60s comic book character. I loved it. It was interesting seeing an origin story of a superhero that clearly draws inspiration from American superhero stories but is embedded within the history, culture and cinematic traditions of Indonesia. For me personally, that means it has a ton of fantastically performed martial arts action. It was also interesting to see that it was supposed to start something called the Bumilangit Cinematic Universe. True to the MCU, it even had a post-credit scene with the SRI ASIH title card showing who the protagonist of the second movie would be. Then of course COVID-19 happened, but this week it finally came out on (not Blu-ray) U.S. DVD under the horrendous title of SRI ASIH: THE WARRIOR.
Anwar serves as the executive producer for the entire series. Additionally, he co-wrote the screenplay with its director, Upi Avianto (HIT & RUN), who is only credited as Upi. Pevita Pearce (MAY THE DEVIL TAKE YOU) plays Alana, whose mother died giving birth to her during a volcanic eruption while being chased by a car with a demon-looking ash plume. Alana was raised in an orphanage defending other children from bullies before a wealthy woman named Sarita (Jenny Chang who also plays a mother in the rival Indonesian comic book universe movie Satria Dewa: Gatotkaca) adopted her and trained her to be a fighter who effortlessly defeats men.
At times, while training herself blindfolded, Alana’s eyes are set on fire as she goes into a rage and super-punches people. Throughout her life, it seems like she attempted to block out visions of a cool-looking fire goddess. I don’t know if this is common after being born from a volcano, but it looks stressful.
A man’s nonsense helps Alana uncover her ultimate purpose. Mateo (Randy Pangalila) is an actor, a wealthy Forbes playboy, a fighter, and the son of real estate owner crime figure Prayogo (Surya Saputra). He just got out of prison because the woman he assaulted was frightened into cancelling her testimony. His father is furious at him for what he did so Mateo says sorry, hugs it out, and pleads that it will never happen again. He will make sure that it happens in some other way.
I’m sure you understand the influence of a viral fight video in modern fight man. So this character Mateo gets to see one of Alana’s fight clips and it motivates him to fight her. Revaldo, THE NIGHT COMES FOR US, his father’s right-hand man who for some reason has a bit of pity for me for being slightly irritated with the evil crap he is forced to do, decides to schedule a fight but ensures that Alana loses in the 3rd round. His mother refuses, but to keep the club safe from revenge, Alana agrees. She demolishes Mateo for 2 rounds, and it looks like she’s not going to take the dive, but he really does flip the script and beats her. The problem is, insults is what gets that fire goddess out of him.
Alana unleashes everything she has and indulges him inside the arena, which starts a conflict that has everyone on both sides either dead, injured, or bombed. Subsequently the superhero stuff. She is then inexplicably rescued with her mother, who is bedridden, by a peculiar blind woman Eyang Mariani and her timid son Kala, who is played by Dimas Anggara (THE NIGHT COMES FOR US) and explains a lot of mythological nonsense including five demons that need to sacrifice a thousand souls to take out the fire god’s niece who has been trying to seduce her because she is the fire goddess’s descendent Sri Asih, who is fated to claim her name and powers. I like this mash-up of BLADE like “boom, look at this super secret operation going on here” storytelling and backstory telling akin to some lost Ralph Bakshi fantasy film or something.
In addition, there is a sense of comic book legacy as she is shown footage and a costume of a previous incarnation of Sri Asih (Najwa Shihab). From what I gathered, Alana seems to be the third iteration of a title for the Sri Asih persona in the comics, in the same way that American comics have Green Lanterns, Flashes and Popeyes, if I’m not mistaken of that one.
Alana gets her very own upgraded costume, which comes with Wonder Woman-esque bullet gauntlets, along with some new super-speed and flight powers. While those FX look somewhat silly, I don’t actually care. Her trademarks are jewels that are attached to her ears, which makes her resemble an elf, as well as a red magic scarf that she weaves and utilizes like a whip.
Training is not a lot Rather, she saunters onto the stage and mockingly antagonizes her opponents during fights. The premise is somewhat of a convoluted superhero, but what I like about it is the balance between her neutrally setting fire (rage) and using Sri Asih (calm). Above everything, she can release fire powers, but in anger only. She decides to be tranquil.
Just like GUNDALA, the SRI ASIH movie takes the side of the impoverished slum dwellers of Jakarta, and the rich are portrayed as ruthless, sometimes even literally demonic. In this world, it’s the cops who bring danger to the scene instead of protecting the civilians. More than once, it’s spelt out that the police serve the elite and enslave the masses. One lonely cop (Reza Rahadian: VENGEANCE IS MINE, ALL OTHERS PAY CASH) experiences anger towards the situation and wants to do good, but (SPOILER) that guy turns into a demon man in a metal mask and cloak. All cops are bastards or supervillains.
The two films idolize investigative reporters, not in the traditional sense as one who aims to get a flashy headline as in Lois Lane or Alexander Knox, but in an understated fashion as a reserved and unassuming young man stuck in a cramped space, far away from home, with a laptop who aspires to root out corruption in a local newspaper and, for doing so, is willing to get killed if need be. Sadly, I feel these parts are more interesting in GUNDALA, in which their attempts to save the projects have more direct participation of the lead character, and for me, it seems to slow down in the middle. In addition to this, it’s a little over average compared to GUNDALA but doesn’t feel as eventful.
Yet, there is a cool lady zooming around battling 1% demon lords and their lackeys, so it’s entertaining. I appreciate that her two shy male friends who tag along with her are also proficient fighters and practice as much as she does. You don’t see that in the Marvel movies. The action is credited to “Uwais Team,” choreographed by Very Tri Yulisman, better known as Baseball Bat Man from THE RAID 2 and Besi from HEADSHOT. So obviously it is good, and it is a fun time, but for some reason the excitement I felt for some of the fights in GUNDALA, I couldn’t quite get here. Maybe because GUNDALA had more emphasis on grounded, hard-hitting fights while this one has more fantastical FX-based moves. Though to be fair, it was nice to see how many times she did a three-point landing. After all, I do still appreciate seeing other real people do comic book poses in these things.
GUNDALA is definitely a better movie in my opinion, and not only in its action sequences but with its leading character and the bittersweet story which (aside from his electricity powers) moulds him into a working man’s vigilante. Alana’s journey appears far less restrained and feels more erratic which is consistent with the character’s fantasy backstory and abilities. Regardless, it’s an enjoyable movie and like GUNDALA, the excellent fight choreography and the Indonesian angle sets it apart from all the other comic book films.
Sri Asih’s character was created in 1954 by R.A. Kosasih who featured in five 32-page issues that are said to have pioneered comic book publishing in Indonesia. There was also a SRI ASIH movie which I think came out the same year in which this previous Sri Asih character from this movie is portrayed (but the actual film is deemed lost).
Regrettably, Zack “White Boy Bobby” Lee, who shared a scene with Sri Asih in her GUNDALA cameo, is absent from this film. Perhaps that occurs later on. This video possesses the same end credit scenes that set up larger universe arcs, like a small Gundala cameo and the first appearance of Godam (Chicco Jericho as the grown-up version of the street kid that taught Gundala how to fight but lost him when Gunsala tried and failed to chase a train). There’s a lot of suspense leading up to showing his face and while he punches a guy it cuts to him wearing a distinctive ring, which is clearly narrative direction saying, “Oh shit, it’s Godam!” I find it interesting being able to watch that without any preconceived magic of how it all makes sense and logic, considering those comics aren’t even available in your country. That’s alright! He punches guys. I get the point.
Godam is set to make his comeback in GODAM & TIRA, which I have mentioned in my GUNDALA review, and is now set to release in 2024. The next film in the BCU timeline came out first here and is called VIRGO AND THE SPARKLINGS. It was released in Indonesia back in March. The film seems to have teenagers, and at least one of them plays an electric guitar, so it should be quite different from the first two. I am still interested.
For More Movies Like Sri Asih: The Warriorr (2022) Visit 123Movies.
