Clash of Empires (2011)

The Malay Chronicles: Bloodlines (released in Malaysia as "Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa") is an adventure feature film set against the backdrop of ancient Malay, Roman and Chinese ... See full summary »

Director:

Yusry Abd Halim (as Yusry Kru)

Writers:

Amir Hafizi (screenplay), Yusry Abd Halim (screenplay) (as Yusry Kru)

Stars:

Stephen Rahman Hughes, Gavin Stenhouse, Jing Lusi

5 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Stephen Rahman Hughes	...	Merong Mahawangsa
Gavin Stenhouse	...	Marcus Carpenius
Jing Lusi	...	Princess Meng Li Hua
Rahim Razali	...	Kesum (as Dato' Rahim Razali)
Ummi Nazeera	...	Embok
Khir Rahman	...	Kamawas
Craig Fong	...	Admiral Liu Yun
Wan Hanafi Su	...	Taji (as W. Hanafi W. Su)
Jehan Miskin	...	Embi
Ahmad Muhariam	...	Pilus
Nell Ng	...	Ying Ying (as Nellie Ng Suet Lin)
Henrik Norman	...	Lycius
Manogaran Maniam	...	Goan 1
Umie Aida	...	Lang
Acong	...	Native 1

Storyline

The Malay Chronicles: Bloodlines (released in Malaysia as "Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa") is an adventure feature film set against the backdrop of ancient Malay, Roman and Chinese civilizations. It tells the tale of the journey of Merong Mahawangsa escorting a Roman prince to wed a beautiful Chinese princess during the 2nd century. Featuring an international cast, The Malay Chronicles: Bloodlines combines elements of romance, adventure, coupled with a strong dose of hand-to-hand combat & martial arts.

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Plot Keywords:

roman | 2nd century | prince | death of protagonist | cgi | 

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Genres:

Action | Adventure

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for bloody violence and battle sequences

Did You Know?

Trivia

This movie is known as "Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa" in its origin country, Malaysia. And also known as "The Malay Chronicles: Bloodliness" in international release. But in UK release, its title is changed to "Clash of Empires: Battle for Asia"

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Soundtracks

SEDETIK LEBIH
Written by Edry Abd Halim
Performed by Anuar Zain

User Reviews

Please can I see the Kindy movie?

Reviewer Raoul Hostettler thinks his local kindergarten could make a better movie that Clash of Empires and so I would like to please book a seat for the opening night. But then, if Hostettler's local kindy is as good at making movies as he is at writing English, I fear that might be a wasted evening!

Yet again (if you've read some of my other reviews), we have illiterate people writing desultory reviews about low-budget movies as though they expected them to be block-busters. Yes, I have written a few pretty scathing reviews myself but you've got to admit, those were for the absolute pits of the film industry. This movie is NOT the pits! No way! That isn't to say it's a blockbuster either but come on people, how many blockbuster movies are released each year? How many does Leonard Maltin give five stars to? But how many does he watch? Get the point? (Probably not! It's most likely too complicated for you!)

Let me ask you negative reviewers (and those readers who are contemplating watching Clash of Empires but check the reviews first), why do you watch movies? Is it to be entertained or is to avidly look for bloopers like trees not waving in the background? Is it to get all picky about English spoken with an accent? When it isn't, by the way - as in the case of the narrator in this movie who speaks absolutely beautiful English with just the right timbre for the role - the whiners complain about THAT too! There seems to be no pleasing some folk!

OK, I've got my frustration at negative-thinkers off my chest - now to the movie. Firstly, it was made in Malaysia by a Malaysin production company so one would assume that the prime target audience was Malays. However, if it had been all made in the Malay language, the box office would probably never have covered costs (because it definitely wouldn't have been cheap to make). So, very cleverly, the main language used was English which some of the Malaysian actors spoke with a slight accent. Nothing wrong with that (they weren't wearing Saville Row suits!!) I though it a nicely integrated touch for Mandarin and Malay languages to be used with subtitles where appropriate as this preserved the international flavour of the film. The action was good and the CG was OK (if not brilliant). The princess's handmaid added a little comedic interlude a few times and was well-played. Stephen Rahman Hughes as the lead was quite good (I'd like to know what the ladies thought of him). Pity there is no info about him on IMDb. I suspect that, if he ventured to Hollywood and had some good direction, he could become a big star.

I was entertained (which is why I watched the movie). I probably won't watch it again (but then I can think of some much larger-budget movies I won't watch again either!) So, if you're one of those picky twits who loves to look for things to complain about, watch Clash Of Empires. You will be rewarded - but PLEASE don't write a review because everyone else doesn't want to know how clever you are! On the other hand, if you enjoy a bit of action entertainment for what it is, then watch it too - and write a review (preferably in coherent English) telling everyone what you enjoyed! Its definitely worth more than 3.7! I gave it 6.

Details

Official Sites:

KRU Studios [Malaysia] Official site

Country:

Malaysia

Language:

English Malay Chinese

Release Date:

10 March 2011 (Malaysia)

Also Known As:

Bitwa o Azje

Filming Locations:

Malaysia

Box Office

Budget:

$8,000,000 (estimated)

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$12,211

Company Credits

Production Co:

KRU Studios

Technical Specs

Runtime:

109 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1