Freshtake onstreet racinggenre

RIVALS Yudi (Faizal Hussein) and Hong (Kazuto Soon) share a history of street racing, progressing from small average cars to high-powered ones. Years later, they coincidentally meet in a street race, rekindling their rivalry and tension. Ejay (Pekin Ibrahim) is a taxi driver who unwittingly becomes involved after saving Hong’s life in a car accident.

My heart sinks upon learning that

is yet another street-racing film. Not that I have anything against the genre (I love the series!) but I do wonder what else they could bring to the table after the likes of and

Nevertheless, the people behind the scenes promise that it’ll be different from other local street racing films. Thankfully, they are right.

Making things unique is the way the film includes the technical part of racing. Viewers will be able to see the high technology that goes into enhancing the cars’ speed and performance on the road.

I don’t understand the technical jargon or the mechanics but I bet fast-car enthusiasts will be thrilled.

I like how the film doesn’t only present high-powered branded vehicles — there’s even a Perodua Kancil! With a much more powerful engine, of course.

So viewers will get to see various car brands fit for racing, and each featured car will be introduced in terms of model and engine power.

So with these new elements, I agree that stands apart from the rest. But that doesn’t mean the racing scenes are any better.

It’d be more thrilling to see how fast the cars move on the road. For several minutes, however, viewers will be looking at the actors attempting to race the cars — if they were in fact driving.

Other than displaying sleek vehicles, there is nothing much left that’s impressive, especially the racing part.

The film begins with a back story involving Ejay (who apparently holds the film’s plot together even though he’s not quite the leading man).

It incorporates a comics’ style of story-telling complete with illustrations and story boxes.

However, that style isn’t maintained throughout the film. The backstory too doesn’t even gel with the main storyline involving the road racers.

What is added is a too-lengthy fight scene featuring Indonesian martial arts exponents Donny Alamsyah and Godfred Orindeod.

And it is the only legit fight scene in the whole movie! It looks so out of place when the larger racing plot takes place.

In the end, there are questions left unanswered because of the plot holes.

On top of the action, there’s family drama between Hong and his daughter (Emily Lim). It adds weight to the story even though it’s predictable.

Acting-wise, the main cast has done a commendable job. Yudi is unlikeable as a constant drunk but Faizal adds charisma to his role.

Pekin does well with his casual and natural portrayal of Ejay. Soon could do better but this is his acting debut. He’s actually a race car expert in real life.

I do, however, have to criticise the random cameos, whose addition to the film is completely unnecessary!

Overall, could be enjoyable for racing fans, but for those who are not, good luck. Still, kudos to Pekin for giving a fresh take to the street-racing film genre.