Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa Review - The return of Karate Bro [Spoiler Alert]

So? What do I think about Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa?

The alternative name for the movie is 

Clash of Empires

"The Malay Chronicles: Bloodlines".

And here's a complimentary Trailer for you readers to watch. 

The poster for Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa

The movie is quite good comparing it to the local made movies from Malaysia. This is the second time in my life that i enjoyed (a lil) a local made movie. The first is "Gaduh", which is honestly interesting where you would wish that teacher in the movie is able to teach you in your previous high school. I don't think there are many teachers from high school who really gives a 'care' about you.

Getting back into topic now, The movie talks about the tale that focuses on Merong Mahawangsa, his adventure, past and origins. Although Merong is a very interesting character, the one who really got most of my attention is Marcus Carpenius whom is portrayed by Gavin Stenhouse. Marcus Carpenius is the Prince of the Roman Empire and he requested for Merong to escort him to Langkasuka, where he will meet and get married to Meng Li Hua, the princess of the Han Dynasty. 

Marcus Carpenius, Portrayed by Gavin Stenhouse

[Spoilers]

Marcus Carpenius somehow reminds me of an old movie, The Karate Kid (1984). Why do I say this? Well, Marcus is shown to be "killed off" at the part of the kidnaping of Princess Meng Li Hua by Kamawas, a pirate who is blessed with damage immunity by a little necklace. 

Few months later, he is saved by Admiral Liu Yun. This time Marcus clothing changed from the Romans clothing into Chinese clothing. His Chinese clothing somehow resembles the karate kid's "Karate Dougi" and at the same time Marcus wears a headband. Another funny aspect is at the beginning of the movie he uses a broadsword and after being saved, he started using Tonfa, an Okinawan baton that originated from China. I do not know what kind of training he underwent but it must be so harsh that it made Marcus into a Pacifist. (A sword user turned into a karate tonfa user)

Marcus's Roman clothing

Marcus's Karate Kid clothing

But seriously, If he chose to decapitate Kamawas, this would save so much time of the cliche long winded story of "save the Princess". Just chop the damnation head, next thing is that the necklace will fall off and viola! Happy ending. :D (The immunity just seems to be some ignore pain steroid with extreme fast healing.) If he only did this earlier, Admiral Liu Yun wouldn't have died.

It's funny to see Marcus' unexpected and sudden transformation. For the movie, I would give it a rating of 8 out of 10 competing against the local movies and only 3 to 4 out of 10 competing against the every movie that i have watched.

So.....

Thank you, come again