Sheriff

Action packed and filled with plot twists, Sheriff: Narko Integriti will definitely put you on the edge of your seat. It has a unique storytelling, elements of mystery and suspense that keeps you engaged, and actors/actresses that played their characters very well.

The premise of this movie is not really special. We've had plenty movies revolving around cops and guns. But what makes this movie different from others is its plot and execution.

Looking at it internationally, it may seem just normal but for the local cinema it is a big improvement.

-SUMMARY (SKIP IF YOU WANT)-

This film tells the story of Nazri, a narcotics policeman who wants to end the growing syabu syndicate. The problem with bringing these perpetrators to court is that they almost always avoided punishment due to lack of evidence.

This made Nazri lose faith in the law, distorting his sense of justice and felt determined to uphold justice in his own way even if it'd violate his morals.

Then we're introduced to Sheriff from the Integrity Department who's known for fighting against corrupted cops. He was sent to the Narcotics Department to help find the infamous 'Meth Killer' which happens to be revealed as an inside man.

At this point we may have already know who the 'Meth Killer' is (or do we?) but we don't know how he will be caught. What will the 'Meth Killer' do now that Sheriff is getting closer? How will he operate his killings without getting caught? Will this be a game of chess? Who exactly is the 'Meth Killer'?

In this period, narcotics operations have also failed many times. Are there traitors inside narcotics? Are they working with the 'Meth Killer'?

This movie had a way of misguiding you to answers that you may think is right, but it's actually left. Always reminding you that you should trust no one.

-SUMMARY END-

There's a lot of positives for this movie but in my personal opinion, it's not a masterpiece yet. It's close though and it has all the ingredients to reach there.

What I can say for certain is that this is Syafiq Yusof's best work that I have ever watched. Exceeded my original expectations which wasn't really high but also wasn't really low either.

That aside, this movie still has room for improvements. Here's what I can think of quickly:

1. The 'Meth Killer' Mystery

While I do understand that it was the director's intention to use 'howcatchem' and not 'whodunnit', but I still would've preferred if it was not revealed early. I love it when movies make us doubt our answers and I love it when I got it right.

If the movie focuses only on finding the 'Meth Killer' and expands the story from there, I probably wouldn't complain about making it a 'howcatchem' story. That would be good and engaging too.

2. Character Background

There are many culprits in this movie like traitors, "rats" and murderers. But there are some characters whose writing was not developed or explored enough for the audience to build an emotional connection. When plot twists happened, it's hard to feel the impact and shock.

3. Lack Emotions

I'm probably alone in this but there are scenes that I feel it supposedly is emotional, but as I watched it I failed to capture the emotions conveyed. I didn't manage to cry but my tears almost went down though. Scenes like the one where Sheriff reminisced his childhood memory made me emotional too.

4. Sheriff Third Act

At the beginning of the third act, Sheriff's character presence felt missing. At this stage of the movie I was expecting some mad genius move from Sheriff that maybe shows how he outsmart his enemies. But I unfortunately didn't see much. He did get the spotlight back in the end though.

I actually really like this Sheriff dude. But I'm not quite satisfied with his development and depth. I need to know more about this character. I want to know his background in depth. How he forms his sense of justice despite his past. His name is literally the movie.

I have more to say but it's hard to share without spoiling the story. So maybe later.

Anyways, well done to the director, Syafiq Yusof and all the crew. Lots of improvements on the quality of writing and execution. We need more quality local movies like this.

It's time that we stop insulting the intellectuals of our local people by feeding them with poor quality movies.