When I first saw this previewed on Netflix I had my doubts but then learned that it contained the same choreographers who did 'the Raid' films and so I said, 'what they hey? I'll try anything once'. Needless to say, seeing this flick once made me want to watch it over and over again because it's way more impressive than what the trailers give it credit for.
Everything about Wira is amazing: the characters, the setting, the cinematography, the story writing and the action sequences are totally phenomenal, particularly the battle at the end (won't spoil what happens but when you see the final fight, you're going to get vibes of 'The Raid' when you see it.
The thing that I loved most about Wira was the story: Hairul Azeem portrays an ex-criminal named Hassan who joins the military in an attempt to straighten his life out and his years of service have not only toughened him up but have also given him a strong sense of discipline and an even stronger sense of honor to himself and his family. When he returns to the rundown apartment complex where his father Munas (a burnt out factory worker) and his sister Zain (an MMA underground fighter) stay, the reunion is anything but joyful. Apparently, Hassan's family still have some old scars involving Raja, a corrupt labor boss who is also a criminal kingpin in the area that Hassan lives in and whom Hassan used to work for when he was a criminal. To make matters worse, Hassan's sister is in debt to Raja and has an intense rivalry with Raja's spoiled and arrogant daughter Vee, the reigning champion of the underground fight circuit at Raja's club. Though Hassan wants no problems or dealings with Raja he finds himself forced to fight when Raja's thugs start to make trouble for his father and his sister Zain. Pretty soon, old scars become new wounds and Hassan is forced to unleash his tactical fury on his aggressors when they push him and his sister Zain too far.
I know it sounds rather cliché and feels like a predictable plot (and for most who have seen this formula before it probably is) but this is the type of storylines that I have always enjoyed. A movie where a character trying to devote themselves to peace is forced to declare war when the enemy just will not take the hint to show some humility and leave the main character alone. I've seen this in dozens of movies like 'Angel Town', 'Best of the Best: No Turning Back', 'Road House'...shoot, Bruce Lee was in movies like 'Fist of Fury', 'Return of the Dragon' & 'The Big Boss' in which his character just tries to move forward in peace but is forced to dish out a critical beatdown to his aggressors who believe their power and influence makes them untouchable and therefore exempt from punishment. Azeem's character is the same way and when the law can only do but so much against the corruption in his community, he has to 'Answer the Call' of duty in order to protect himself and his family from danger.
Overall, Wira is definitely an excellent action packed masterpiece from Asia and it's one that you should definitely add to your purchase list or your streaming list on Netflix. Definitely will watch the sequel if they create one in the future.
Highly recommended...don't miss it.
Everything about Wira is amazing: the characters, the setting, the cinematography, the story writing and the action sequences are totally phenomenal, particularly the battle at the end (won't spoil what happens but when you see the final fight, you're going to get vibes of 'The Raid' when you see it.
The thing that I loved most about Wira was the story: Hairul Azeem portrays an ex-criminal named Hassan who joins the military in an attempt to straighten his life out and his years of service have not only toughened him up but have also given him a strong sense of discipline and an even stronger sense of honor to himself and his family. When he returns to the rundown apartment complex where his father Munas (a burnt out factory worker) and his sister Zain (an MMA underground fighter) stay, the reunion is anything but joyful. Apparently, Hassan's family still have some old scars involving Raja, a corrupt labor boss who is also a criminal kingpin in the area that Hassan lives in and whom Hassan used to work for when he was a criminal. To make matters worse, Hassan's sister is in debt to Raja and has an intense rivalry with Raja's spoiled and arrogant daughter Vee, the reigning champion of the underground fight circuit at Raja's club. Though Hassan wants no problems or dealings with Raja he finds himself forced to fight when Raja's thugs start to make trouble for his father and his sister Zain. Pretty soon, old scars become new wounds and Hassan is forced to unleash his tactical fury on his aggressors when they push him and his sister Zain too far.
I know it sounds rather cliché and feels like a predictable plot (and for most who have seen this formula before it probably is) but this is the type of storylines that I have always enjoyed. A movie where a character trying to devote themselves to peace is forced to declare war when the enemy just will not take the hint to show some humility and leave the main character alone. I've seen this in dozens of movies like 'Angel Town', 'Best of the Best: No Turning Back', 'Road House'...shoot, Bruce Lee was in movies like 'Fist of Fury', 'Return of the Dragon' & 'The Big Boss' in which his character just tries to move forward in peace but is forced to dish out a critical beatdown to his aggressors who believe their power and influence makes them untouchable and therefore exempt from punishment. Azeem's character is the same way and when the law can only do but so much against the corruption in his community, he has to 'Answer the Call' of duty in order to protect himself and his family from danger.
Overall, Wira is definitely an excellent action packed masterpiece from Asia and it's one that you should definitely add to your purchase list or your streaming list on Netflix. Definitely will watch the sequel if they create one in the future.
Highly recommended...don't miss it.
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