Headshot

[GeneChing]

Iko Uwais Talks Acting and Working With Mo Brothers for 'Headshot'

Jakarta. "The Raid" star Iko Uwais, who recently made a detour from action to the galaxy far, far way as a Kanjiklub member in fantasy saga "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," is ready to return in a new thriller called "Headshot."

The project marks his first time working with "Macabre" and "Killers" directors Timo Tjahjanto and Kimo Stamboel, popularly known as the Mo brothers. During his recent visit to BeritaSatu Plaza, Iko said he plays Ismail, a young doctor who suffers memory loss and later encounters a headshot victim, played by Chelsea Islan.

"Unfortunately, both of them are placed in an old hospital without proper equipment, so he makes it his task to get the bullet out of her head," Iko said. "It's more action than slasher, but it is probably going to look as bloody as 'The Raid,' although I think Timo is sicker than Gareth [Evans, 'Raid' director] when splashing blood," Iko said.

Iko said he will be sharing the majority of his screen time with Chelsea, who plays Ailin in the film. It is also starring Julie Estelle, Ario Bayu and Zack Lee. The movie is set to be released later this year.

He also said the team is 95 percent done with the filming. They will resume shooting later this month for a fighting scene, which was delayed due to an injury case on set.

"Headshot" is also the first local project for Iko's own fighting choreography studio Uwais Team. Their debut project was for Frank Grillo-led sci-fi movie "Beyond Skyline," which was filmed last year and set to be released this year.

Iko has been choreographing fighting scenes since his debut film with Evans, "Merantau" in 2009. Iko was supposed to play against American martial artist and actress Ronda Roussey in "Mile 22," also starring Mark Wahlberg, but Iko said the project is currently pending due to Roussey's rematch schedule and Wahlberg's contract for the new "Transformers" movie.

I was wondering what was up with Mile 22 and Beyond Skyline.

[Jimbo]

It appears that Iko is moving away from Gareth Evans(?). I saw Killers. Generally well-acted, but IMO not a particularly entertaining movie. So I don't know how good another movie by the same directors will be, even with Iko in it.

[GeneChing]

[GeneChing]

[GeneChing]

The ultravi master Iko Uwais is back, although this one isn't as strong as his previous work. But it's still Iko. Some complex long single shot sequences, this time with swirling spin-around the fight scene camera work, and maximum sanguinosity. And a threadbare plot so some will protest too much. Headshot is like a martial take on torture porn. The sets are dark, dingy and dungeoness. Remember when porn had plots? Like movie long plots? Now it's just the action. Iko movies are kind of like that. Headshot is brutal and gritty, with plenty of not-for-the-squeamish kills. It's gangs of full-auto gunfire at point blank. There is gratuitous blood letting, bone breaking, knife slashing, flesh chopping and ass kicking. I don't think I've seen a film with so many slo-mo blood spit takes, climaxing all the fights like porn cum shots. There's a lot of dumb like Why can't they shoot him at point blank? How do criminals like these exist under the radar? Why ain't Iko dead yet? But who cares? It's all about the action. There's some pseudo artsy shots, some nice drone shots too, but it's really all about the spin-around the fight scene shots because those are so technically tough.