Please check out Valen's Shadows review here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R28DSJSHY64RA2)
The above review sums it up best. I'm a Martial Arts trainee myself (Tae Kwon Do and Capoeira) and after watching this flick I feel Iko Uwais will add to the world of MA styles and techniques and become a rather recognizable star if only given a chance. A big mistake is to compare Uwais to Jaa which I see many fans of this genre do. Although its true that the films plot was very much like Ong Baks, the fighting however, was way more real than the ones done in Ong Bak. The film did not portray Uwais's role as a 'master' in Silat - it portrayed him as a 'young', 'innocent' newbie exposed to the dangers outside his village, and because he was lightly skilled in the arts of fighting and defending - he managed to stand up against the villains. It was believable in the end. Those that regard this film a lame martial arts film - are not into martial arts at all, and last but not least they don't understand it. In reality, exercising martial arts in a real upfront combat is far from appealing like depicted in any of Van Damme, Jason Statham, Scott Adkins and/or Michael J. Whites movies. This film was so realistic that it's hard for me to believe that they used any special effects or stunt-men at all in any of the fighting scenes.
I give Merentau plot 5/10 - while the fighting scenes and especially the new star an 8/10.
In other words - a great film for martial arts lovers (introduces a new style of fighting to the International audience which always is a thumbs up), while not so good for those into 'storylines' and 'acting' etc.
Watch it by removing any prejudices beforehand, don't compare it to something else, and I will guarantee you that those almost two hours of your time will not be disappointing.
