There is a certain suspension of disbelief when the viewer signs up to watch an actioner like 'Headshot'. Kimo Stamboel & Timo Tjahjanto (dubbed the Mo brothers) tread high-octane action territory (a.la Gareth Evans' The Raid) after their impressive outings in horror (Macabre) and crime-thriller (Killers). The viewer pretty much knows what to expect: a wafer-thin storyline, bucketfuls of gore, horrendous fatalities & well-choreographed stunt sequences.
Thankfully, the duo keep their promise. The cast comprising Iko Uwais, Sunny Pang, Julie Estelle and Very Tri Yulisman deliver the goods in stunning fashion. An amnesiac is helped by a young doctor in recalling his past which comes back to haunt him in startling ways. The film however starts off detailing the manipulative skills of the antagonist when he escapes prison. Once the film embraces 'action- mode', there's no looking back. There are some slickly shot fights - one that takes place within/around the confines of a bus and another at a police-station (my favorite of the lot!). The camera-work is quite fluid and the fists-to-the-jaws look undeniably excruciating.
The climax sequence although well thought-out and judiciously shot, pales in comparison to the earlier ones. This isn't a film where you sit and analyze the acting talent of the ensemble but Chelsea Islan's presence does uplift certain scenes. Iko Uwais has yet again proved his mettle as a reliable lead faring spectacularly in the action department and reasonably fine in the acting.
That said, 'Headshot' is strictly for action aficionados. If you're the kind who gets turned on watching splendidly assembled action set- pieces that involve the usage of fists, swords, canes, guns, fire-extinguishers, typewriters and telephones (accompanied by some bone-breaking), this film will dazzle you, although not on the levels of 'The Raid'. Highly looking forward to Timo's solo directorial 'The Night Comes Before Us' featuring some of the actors from this film and 'The Raid'.
Thankfully, the duo keep their promise. The cast comprising Iko Uwais, Sunny Pang, Julie Estelle and Very Tri Yulisman deliver the goods in stunning fashion. An amnesiac is helped by a young doctor in recalling his past which comes back to haunt him in startling ways. The film however starts off detailing the manipulative skills of the antagonist when he escapes prison. Once the film embraces 'action- mode', there's no looking back. There are some slickly shot fights - one that takes place within/around the confines of a bus and another at a police-station (my favorite of the lot!). The camera-work is quite fluid and the fists-to-the-jaws look undeniably excruciating.
The climax sequence although well thought-out and judiciously shot, pales in comparison to the earlier ones. This isn't a film where you sit and analyze the acting talent of the ensemble but Chelsea Islan's presence does uplift certain scenes. Iko Uwais has yet again proved his mettle as a reliable lead faring spectacularly in the action department and reasonably fine in the acting.
That said, 'Headshot' is strictly for action aficionados. If you're the kind who gets turned on watching splendidly assembled action set- pieces that involve the usage of fists, swords, canes, guns, fire-extinguishers, typewriters and telephones (accompanied by some bone-breaking), this film will dazzle you, although not on the levels of 'The Raid'. Highly looking forward to Timo's solo directorial 'The Night Comes Before Us' featuring some of the actors from this film and 'The Raid'.