Wild and Wooley, the action adventure film Buffalo Boys takes you on a journey from the 1860’s American West to the Indonesian rain forest. Filled with sword play, hand to hand combat and martial arts, the film moves along at a fast pace under nice directing, acting and some enjoyable cinematography to boot. You don’t have to be a teen to watch this film as it has as much conflict and excitement as a Clint Eastwood Spaghetti Western.
Its 1860 California and Abraham Lincoln had won the Presidency. Talk about a Civil War was in the wind, but the towns east of the Mississippi were still flourishing. West of the big river things were forging ahead with people occupying the lands. The transcontinental railroad was nearing completion and this is where we find Uncle Arana (Tio Pakusadewo) and two young men Jamar (Ario Bayu,) and Suwo (Yoshi Sudarso), three foreigners working in dangerous territory. Having fled their home country of Indonesia 20 years ago due to oppression, Arana wants to return to reclaim the lands he left behind before he dies.
Returning to Indonesia they find out a lot of things have changed, including themselves. Upon the boy’s father and mother’s grave and the one of his wife Seruni, Arana vows to get justice for the land of his ancestors stolen by the Dutch. Along the road to their property in the forest they run into some conflict where they meet up with Sri (Mikha Tambayong) and her grandfather who they save from certain death from a thug of the vicious Van Trach (Reinout Bussemaker). Wanting to honor the men who kept them alive, grandfather invites them to their village. Thus begins a story filled with twists and surprise as the three return to the old ways of their countrymen.
Director and writer Mike Wiluan does a terrific job of creating excitement as he brings the characters together facing obstacles that look impossible. He uses his cameras to tell the story and show the past of the great land mixed with the new. His story tells the loyalty of the people who stand against those who wish to rule over them with violence. It’s a great theme and one that we have seen in the best of movies.
The costumes, sets, music and dancing are exceptional. The fight scenes are violent, but nicely choreographed and the make-up department makes the results look very realistic. The cinematographers work wonders showing the native villages, waterfalls, fields, market places and streams of the locations for the film shoots. Although it takes place mostly in Indonesia, his depiction of the Wild West at the beginning of the film looked spot on.
All the actors fill their roles nicely, most of which are first time thespians. The central characters are very realistic and thrilling in their performances and make their extraordinary actions look effortless. I especially liked the enthusiasm of Ario Bayu as Jamar, Yoshi Sudarso as Suwo and Pevita Pearce as Kiona, who bring their characters to the screen with emotion and determination. Their ability to provide the story’s energy, relentless fight scenes for freedom, and sincerity to their characters make the film a winner.
Buffalo Boys has not been rated by the MPAA, but contains brief nudity, torture, violence throughout, language, sex, sexual references and brutality. Be cautioned when deciding to let immature teens see the film as it contains scenes showing a hanging, a whipping of a woman, and rape of the villagers. The movie is played out in the Indonesian language and English with English subtitles. Check your local listings for a theater near you.
FINAL ANALYSIS: An exciting actioner with very good acting and directing. (4 out of 5 Stars)
Additional Film Information:
Cast: Yoshi Sudarso, Ario Bayu, Pevita Pearce, Tio Pakusadewo, Reinout Bussemaker, Daniel Adnan, Mikha Tambayong, El Manik
Directed and written by: Mike Wiluan
Language: English and Indonesian w/subtitles
Genre: Action, Adventure, Thriller
MPAA Rating: Not Rated, contains extreme violence, language, brutality
Running Time: 1 hr. 43 min.
Opening Date: January 11, 2019
Distributed by: Samuel Goldwyn Films
Released in: Standard
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
