Facebook is both a good and horrible thing. The good thing is that it’s very good at bringing to us information which it knows we would find interesting. And it was from Namewee’s facebook page that I first learnt about his Nasi Lemak 2.0 movie project a few months ago, and also from facebook that I learnt he is doing a nation-wide tour to promote this movie. His visit to Johor Bahru fell on the 18th of September 2011. As you can see from the above picture, I was there… Heheh…
It was only five years ago that he was just a naughty boy singing and rapping on the streets of Muar. Now, five years later, he has become a significant player in the local entertainment industry. It is no small feat to assemble the multi-racial cast of Nasi Lemak 2.0 which includes major Malaysian entertainment players like Afdlin Shauki, Adibah Noor, Dato David Arumugam, Kenny & Chee (from the famous Baba Nyonya sitcoms), Reshmonu and Miss Malaysia Nadine Ann Thomas.
No small feat too that he survived the controversy of rapping the National Anthem and be here today directing and starring in his own movie which is now showing at all cinemas around the nation. His passion for his art and beliefs is impressive.
Anyway, I had gathered a group of my friends to support his tour appearance and watch his movie. We caught him at 12pm, coming on stage and electrifying the crowd; he really has enough presence to carry a crowd. Then I bought the Nasi Lemak 2.0 ‘cookbook’ which is kind of like a picture book telling the story behind the making of the film. We diligently queued up to get on stage for him to sign the book and had a picture taken with him. Then it was time to watch the show at 1.45pm.
Talent is a difficult thing to measure and define. But it was immediately apparent when the movie started that such a thing existed. This is a guy who has never acted in a single film before; but he was able to carry the story along with the force of his personality, acting and humor. Together with the other main actors, the movie went along just fine, though there were some awkward moments when the secondary cast didn’t manage to convey whatever it was they were supposed to express.
The story is about Hero Huang, who starts out as a Chinese chauvinist but slowly finds the meaning of racial integration; learning from how the different ingredients in a packet of Nasi Lemak can be harmonized together. (Nasi Lemak as a dish is influenced by Malay, Chinese and Indian cooking)
There is enough eye candy in the movie with many top-class Malaysian beauties including a Miss Malaysia and a Malaysian Playboy Bunny. Then there is Karen Kong (who worked with Namewee on many occasions in the past as they are from the same company), who does a great job as Xiao K, the girl who goes to Hero Huang for help and ends up travelling the country with him looking for the secrets to a plate of great Nasi Lemak. Great first attempt, playing the female lead at that!
The pair also does a great job signing all the songs inside the movie. There is a funny English song which they perform on the stage of some cheap-looking beer garden; with lyrics which go something like “I live in big city yo, people mountain people sea, working so hard no money yo, why you still loving me’… Hahahaha… The song’s name is White Head Till Old. Very meaningful and touching in addition to being funny. Then there is one done Bollywood style with a team of supporting Indian dancers, called ‘Curry Neh’ or something… This one is really good with Namewee and Karen in typical loud garish Bollywood costumes. Hahahah, I can’t help but laugh when thinking about it. (See the YouTube videos below for these songs)...
Afdlin Shauki as the Malay Hero was cool. He was given the controversial line “Kamu semua balik Negeri Cina!!!” while waving a Keris around.
Dato David Arumugam as the Curry Master is just plain funny… Wait for the part where he speaks Hainanese and Hokkien.
The ‘horror scene’ involving the baba and nyonya in an old mansion was really quite creepy, considering this is a comedy and not a horror film.
Overall, the movie tells a good story. The main cast is solid. The production crew did a fine job. It was only lacking a little where the secondary cast was concerned. Maybe Malaysian entertainment is still too dependent on the few big names, without sufficient depth. But it is not reason enough not to see the film.
Definitely a must-watch for all Malaysians. Especially if you love a great laugh. I am gonna buy the (original) DVD of this movie when it comes out. It should be available soon after the cinema screenings end.
The movie's official trailer here:-
White Head Till Old:-
Curry Neh!
Andrew Chua.
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Correction: This is not Namewee's first acting work. He has acting roles in other short films and movies such as Meter and Potong Saga. I also see him acting in Petaling Street Warrior trailer.
ReplyDeleteHaha, yeah... but this is his first feature film... Hope you enjoyed it!
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