Java Heat [DVD]

I loved the film Java Heat. I buy all films with Mickey Rourke in and this was excellent. Really enjoyed it.

Not a bad film but a little over acted. Good in sight for interest in Java.

great action film ...with added bonus of hunky kellan lutz .......yum!

Java Heat is a fun 2013 action film set in Indonesia. It is a film brimming with Indonesian cultural references, a fun tour through Javanese traditions for any friend of the country. The film stars beefy American Kellen Lutz as a US Marine teaming up with Ario Bayo from the elite Indonesian counter terrorism unit Densus 88. The pair investigate a suicide bombing which has killed the 'Sultana of Java' played by Atiqua Hashihotan. In the background lurk the Tong, jihadis, and perverted criminal Malik played by Mickey Rourke.Rourke is really quite funny in his role as a horrible and depraved criminal. His Francophone accent adds to his character by marking him out as strange and different. He does mumble a bit so the volume sometimes needs to go up around him. He is a ruthless character with no qualms about killing. He also represents the very worst of Western interest in Southeast Asia - the sex tourist. Iti s a character designed to repel the audience, it is such a good bad guy role there is never really a moment where the audience wants Rourke's character Malik to win.The layers of villainry are really well developed. Malik is the western menace. He is not the only threat. The Tong and their criminal empire make up a threat lying just beneath the moral veneer of Indonesian society. They are of course part of the Chinese-Indonesian community, a group of people often seen as somewhat separate from the majority communtiy in the country.The other group of villainry are the jihadis. The lead jihadi is a well-carved out character. He actually has morals and believes in what he stands for. It might be something the audience cannot abide but it is an internally consistent set of beliefs.Fascinating to see such a carefully constructed vision of Indonesian society. There are so many Indonesian references through Java Heat, it works so well. That no explanation is given for who Densus 88 are is a nod to the referential nature of the film. The internal politics is hilariously portrayed by a General running for Governor who decides the bombing was done by a high profile figure, presumably a jihadi. That there is no evidence to suggest it is a biting critique of the role of politics in Indonesian law enforcement. That the jihadi himself is a monster of a man wearing a suicide belt is awesome. What is the right action - one which follows the rule of law or one which eliminates a monster?Other Indonesian cultural references are plentiful. It is hilarious that Kellen Lutz's character Jake gets the culture wrong. He is the only one not wearing Batik at the Sultana's event. He brilliantly misunderstands what Waria means. He talks far too much when the Sultan is explaining leading to the cutting repose of "speak less, learn more". It is a succinct phrase perfectly designed to explain Javanese culture.References in the film include the use of a Bajaj and a brief discussion of Nasi Goreng, Compared to the much-heralded The Raid, it is a vastly more Indonesian film. The two slight annoyances are the complete absence of the ubiquitous traffic and the description of the Sultan of Java. Artistic licence probably meant calling him the Sultana of Yogyakarta was too confusing but this is clearly a film about Yogya - the climax of course taking place at the magnificent Borobodur.The other slight annoyance about the Sultan sub-plot is the villainous Visier. Court politics is a small addition to the many strands of the plot but the evil visier is one of the few glaring cliches.What does make the film work though is the relative capabilities of the lead characters Jake and Hashim. Jake is strong and a great shot. Hashim is subtle and understands what is happening around them. The banter between the two whether it be over Nasi Goreng or the suspicion Jake is a spy is great. This is not a comedy so do not expect Rush Hour but the discussion between the two leads has really good timing.Kellen Lutz is surprisingly good in his role. He looks like a muscle-bound freak but his interpretation of the eager American in Southeast Asia is spot on. He is positive and fun, knowing he will not understand all the local cultural values but respecting them nonetheless. A surprisingly impressive performance.Lutz's foil Ario Bayu is more the straightmant. His subtle exasperation at times is really quite funny. He's also an honourable man capable of maintaining his decorum when under physical or political pressure.The subtitling on the film is absolutely brilliant. It is so great because sentences appear on the screen as they are said rather than the whole thing being up there in advance. It is a much better subtiitling technique than is normally used and helps keep the flow realistic.The DVD has no extras so the offering is unfortunately only the film itself.Java Heat is an underrated gem of an action film. It gets so much right. While there are a couple of mis-steps this is a good, fun action film especially for any friend of Indonesia.

This film went straight to DVD as far as I'm aware, and you can see why. The story itself isn't bad and there's plenty of action if that's the bag you're into, but I felt a different director with a bit more cash to splash may well have turned this into a none too minor hit....but....the story meanders round too much, certainly in the middle of the film and it just felt rather confused as if the makers weren't totally sure in which direction to take things and when cutting cobbled together a mixture of edits. I could have forgiven that, but oh, the acting. Mickey Rourke did seem to be reading (mumbling) his lines straight off the page, but the real horror was Kellan Lutz, an actor so wooden that splinters were hitting the screen every time he appeared. I've never wanted to see Twilight so have no idea whether he was any better in that but I guess a handsome face and a few muscles go a long way...doesn't mean he shouldn't perhaps pursue a less taxing career choice than one which requires the ability to walk and talk at the same time without looking like it's using every brain cell he has!Shame, certainly not rubbish as the story had plenty of merit and a few twists and turns and was definitely pretty pacy but simply could have been so much better.