‘Geng: Pengembaraan Bermula’ is a 1st fully 3D animated CGI film produced 100% in Malaysia. It is really a much awaited movie by many of us especially those that involves in the animation and 3D industry. Ohh, not forgetting the die-hard-fan of ‘Upin & Ipin’ too. As one of the luckiest dude that have been granted a special preview of this film, I would like to write a simple review of this historic Malaysian film. Rest assured, there will be NO SPOILER

Basically, this film is about the adventure of a newly-know-each-other group of friends in Kampung Durian Runtuh. Currently there is unsolved mystery surrounding the case of missing durians in that village. Based from the key witness who is Tok Dalang, which happen to be, Badrol’s grandfather, the thief is a vicious monster that comes out during night and also stalking the villagers. Once after Badrol watch his grandfather in TV, he then quickly rush off to his village together with his friend, Lim. When both of them reached the village, they immediately (maybe accidentally) get to know Upin, Ipin, Rajoo and Ros and in just a short time, they are already in their roller coaster adventures and doing the escape stunts from the monsters and giants.

For a production cost of merely USD 1.1 million (RM4 million), this is really an achievement in the history of 3D animation film production in the world. Comparing this with Shrek which cost USD 70 million, Finding Nemo (USD 94 million) and Shark Tale (USD 75 million), I can’t help but to salute the Les’ Copaque team for successfully producing a 3D animated film which has an outstanding quality and on-par like the mentioned Hollywood 3D film. Another thing to note is, I really impressed with the way they promote our country Malaysia in a way of the ‘Tourism Malaysia’ cap that Lim wears. That is one of the smartest product placement method I’ve ever seen. Of course nobody can beat James Bond for this

In the future, I would like to see this film in the real 3D format such as ‘Journey to the Center of the Earth’ and ‘Bolt’ where audiences need to wear the 3D glasses to view it and the image become life and pop-up on the screen. So, it can always be shown forever in cinema such as IMAX and not be restricted to the SWT (Syarat Wajib Tayang) in our local’s cinemas. Other than that, I honestly recommend this film to all of us to watch it in cinema because it is a MUST watched film of 2009. It is suitable for family, kids, teenagers, adults and especially for those 3D, graphics and animation enthusiasts. The release date in cinema is 12-February-2009. Hmm..around 2 weeks more to go. For me, in our local film industry, this film is really like what Neil Armstrong said, “That’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind“.

If you would like to know more about this movie, you can visit:
1. Geng The Movie Official Website
2. The Official Production Blog of Geng
3. Pergh Discussion on ‘Geng: Pengembaraan Bermula’ movie