★ 6 / 10
Good action and plot but the sometimes flat
Steven S.
Good action and plot but the sometimes flat characters, poor animation and lackluster art style hold it back.
Good action and plot but the sometimes flat characters, poor animation and lackluster art style hold it back.
★ 7 / 10
Indonesian Ninja Scroll
This film was pretty good and entertaining. OK, the animation was a bit wonky, but it had a unique style, so it didn't bother me. The characters were a bit…
This film was pretty good and entertaining. OK, the animation was a bit wonky, but it had a unique style, so it didn't bother me. The characters were a bit cliché and unbalanced, but you have to start somewhere. I guess the thing that I didn't like the most, and what most other commentators are trying carefully not to say directly, is the Indonesian language. Hard to feel the awe for the immense power of the characters when they talk like the aliens from Mars Attacks. And mind you, I have nothing against Indonesians, this is not racist, I genuinely did not like how the language sounded.But other than that, this felt really nice. Brutal scenes, complex characters, weird magic and special moves, good action. It wasn't at that level, but it reminded me of the Japanese Ninja Scroll, which is one of my favorite anime ever.That brings me at the unfortunate name of the film. Who, outside of Indonesia, would say "Hey! I watched Panji Tengkorak, you should see it?". It's like someone would have marketed Ninja Scroll like Jubei's Ninja Chronicles. Wouldn't that have been funny? Because while Panji is central to the film, there are a lot more characters. In truth, it is different a bit because it felt like they were trying to start a mythos that can be spun into multiple stories. I would like that.Bottom line: unexpected quality from a movie that came out of nowhere for me. You should watch it. True, I don't religiously keep up to date with all animation releases, but I honestly didn't hear about this at all, which is a pity.Funny, though, that the entire plot of the film pivots on whether women do the things you ask them to when it really matters. Panji would have been a happy fisherman if the women in his life would have listened to him when he demanded something.
Read full review
★ 6 / 10
"Indonesian Folklore, Unique Animation"
RatedByGautham
This Indonesian animated movie is based on folklore mixed with dark fantasy. The film uses a unique hybrid animation style that blends 2D hand-drawn animation…
This Indonesian animated movie is based on folklore mixed with dark fantasy. The film uses a unique hybrid animation style that blends 2D hand-drawn animation with 3D elements. Because of this, the visuals feel fresh and different from regular animated films. The action scenes are intense and brutal.The story starts as folklore and slowly becomes a revenge drama. While some moments are predictable, The main character, Panji is well written, with a painful past that clearly shows his emotions and motivations, making him easy to connect with.One of the highlights of the movie is how Panji's emotional backstory is tied to the final climax. The subplot involving his past is decently developed and connects smoothly to the final fight.Overall, the film stands out for its bold animation, intense action, and strong lead, making it a solid dark fantasy watch.
Read full review
•••
mens rea pandji pragiwaksono, please