9 Naga (2006) Movie Review, Trailer, Film Still and Poster

Indonesia 2005
Director: Rudy Soedjarwo
Cast: Lukman Sardi, Donny Alamsyah, Fauzi Baadilla, Ajeng Sardi, Dorman Borisman, Toro Margens
Rating: Dewasa (Adult)
Language: Indonesian
Release Date: 12 January 2006; 2 Febuary 2006 (Netherlands)
Running Time: 1 hour 43 minutes 39 seconds

The Movie Review

9 Naga film still 1


9 NAGA (9 Dragons)
Storyline:
Cast:
Ending:
Overall:

Belly button.... that's the main strong reason why I bothered to see this movie in the first place. Belly button... Could draw huge controversy. Belly button is... well not exist in this movie actually. So what's Belly button have got to do with Dragons? When this movie was being released back in year 2006 the poster stirred up big controversy, not because we got to see sexy Indo girls wearing skimpy outfit, but because of Fauzi Baadila's Belly button. Yeah, quite ridiculous I know, still it intrigued me to see the movie. And I was still baffled by the contents.

The story centers on three young men struggling to earn money through bloody way, by being Assassins/contract killers. Marwan (Lukman Sardi) is the leader of the group, a hot-tempered man who is passionate about his bloody work. Marwan is married to a wise woman, Ajeng (Ajeng Sardi) and has a little boy. While Lenny (Fauzi Baadilla) is more of a laid-back guy who's just following Marwan around and Donny (Donny Alamsyah) who is thinking of leaving the job because of his brother's plan to open a small design studio. They grew up together in an impoverished neighbourhood in South Jakarta and even though they realize their job is deemed with bloody future, they're forced to take the job from Dipo (Toro Margens) because of the dire need of money.

However, what comes around goes around. On their current job of killing a seemingly innocent man, something bad befalls unto them and leaving them struggling to overcome their never ending remorse. What is actually happening to the three best friends?

9 Naga or in English would be "9 Dragons" is not a brawl movie, on the contrary with its title, 9 Naga is actually a crime/drama movie which focuses more on character development of the lead characters, Marwan. His behaviour and attitude metamorphosis is the strongest aspect of 9 Naga, which subsequently relies heavily on the Lukman's side to perform well. But the strongest performance arguably coming from Ajeng Sardi, she would make you believe how hard her life is and how she's trying to hold everything inside.

Fauzi Baadila's performance reminds me of Johnny Depp with his moustache and his facial expression, and whether this allegation is true or not, I find his character the most interesting for being the comic relief in this serious drama movie. And I always like to see Dorman Borisman, he always reminds me of the good 'ol days of Indonesian cinema with his strong Batak accent. And Toro Margens is just splendid as an antagonist, as always.

There is a bit of gun fight scenes and killing scenes but I could not call 9 Naga as action film. And if you decide to watch this drama flick, make sure you are in a very fresh condition. Because oh my... the pace is just too slow with several filler scenes that are not interesting. Besides the story and the premise is pretty cliché and definitely predictable for seasoned movie buffs. It could've been be a better movie, had the filmmakers put the good parts more close together. Several scenes are running too long and in those scenes every actors tend to become major drama queens, even though they perform well, but it's just too long. Long crying scene, long pause scene, long this, and long that. 9 Naga really needs improvement in trimming.

Had it been trimmed more neatly and focuses more on the pivotal part of the story, it would be way much better drama. So, if you don't mind the bit lenghty running time with fairly minimum substance, then drama fans would enjoy 9 Naga. Luckily I watched 9 Naga solely because of the belly button controversy, so at least it satiated my curiosity, though I doubt it would satiate other movie buffs' thirst looking for fun entertainment.

Note: Do not watch the movie clip below as it contains major spoilers.

> Next page: Memorable Quotes of 9 Naga