The Big 4
| The Big 4 | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Timo Tjahjanto |
| Written by |
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| Produced by |
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| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Batara Goempar |
| Edited by | Dinda Amanda |
| Music by | Rooftopsound |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | Netflix |
Release date |
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Running time | 141 minutes |
| Country | Indonesia |
| Language | Indonesian |
The Big 4 is a 2022 Indonesian action comedy film written and directed by Timo Tjahjanto. Released by Netflix on 15 December 2022, it tells the story of four retired assassins–played by Abimana Aryasatya, Lutesha, Arie Kriting, and Kristo Immanuel–who spring back into action when they cross paths with a straight-arrow cop (Putri Marino) who is determined to track down an elusive murderer.[1]
Upon release, The Big 4 ranked within the top 10 most-watched titles in 53 countries, including in Indonesia, where it was the top-ranked film.[2] Tjahjanto has expressed intentions to develop a sequel.[3]
Synopsis
[edit]A by-the-book detective investigates the death of her father and follows a clue to a remote tropical island, only to find out his true identity as a leader of a group of assassins. Now hunted by his enemies, she has to team up with the crooks her father had trained––four retired, down-on-their-luck assassins itching to get back in the game.
Cast
[edit]- Abimana Aryasatya as Topan
- Putri Marino as Dina
- Lutesha as Alpha
- Arie Kriting as Jenggo
- Kristo Immanuel as Pelor
- Marthino Lio as Suranto/Antonio Sandoval
- Michelle Tahalea as Alo
- Michael Kho as Lengko and Vinsen
- Budi Ros as Petrus
- Adjie N.A. as Bunglon
- Donny Damara as Hassan
- Andri Mashadi as Rudha
- Willem Bevers as Syarief
- Gilbert Pattiruhu as Don
- Marsha Timothy as Lady Zero
Production
[edit]Netflix's Director of Content for Southeast Asia, Malobika Banerji, announced the project in September 2021.[4] Filming commenced the following November, with Tjahjanto revealing Aryasatya, Marino, Lutesha, Arie, Kristo, Lio, and Ros as cast members on Instagram.[5] Citing a personal mission to highlight the Eastern part of Indonesia, Tjahjanto chose Bali and Timor as filming locations for the fictional Bersi island, where the majority of the film took place.[6][7]
Release
[edit]Trailer for the film was released in November 2022 ahead of its release on Netflix worldwide on 15 December 2022.[8]
Reception
[edit]Audience viewership
[edit]According to Variety, The Big 4 was the second-most-watched non-English language title on Netflix in its first weekend, making the top 10 in 53 countries, including Argentina, Finland, Greece, Mexico, the Philippines, Spain, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam, as well as topping the list in Indonesia.[2]
Critical response
[edit]On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 91% of 11 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.8/10.[9]
Brian Tallerico of RogerEbert.com gave the film 3 out of 4 stars, calling it "The Three Stooges with bazookas" that "takes off [...] with enough rhythm to get you from the intense prologue to the insane final half-hour".[10] Tallerico called the cast "solid from top to bottom", singling out Aryasatya, Marino, and Lio, but criticized the runtime and dialogue.[10]
Johnny Loftus of Decider wrote that the film benefits from a "solid cast" but criticized the clunky setup, broadly comedic fights, and the "sequel tease".[11] Roger Moore of Movie Nation is more critical, calling the film's plot "over-the-top and borderline nonsensical" but praising the action scenes and jokes.[12]
References
[edit]- ^ "Watch The Big 4 | Netflix Official Site". www.netflix.com. Retrieved 2022-12-25.
- ^ a b Frater, Patrick (2022-12-21). "Indonesia's 'The Big 4' Is Netflix's Second Most Watched Non-English Film". Variety. Retrieved 2022-12-25.
- ^ Pertiwi, Bunga Pradipta; Husna, Ayu Miftakhul. "Debut Film Aksi Komedi Lewat The Big 4, Timo Tjahjanto Ungkap Harapan Karyanya jadi Sekuel". Tribunnews.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2022-12-25.
- ^ "Timo Tjahjanto Digandeng Netflix Garap The Big Four". hiburan (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2022-12-25.
- ^ Mario, Vincentius; Pangerang, Andi Muttya Keteng (2021-11-22). "Timo Tjahjanto Umumkan Pemain Film The Big Four yang Akan Tayang di Netflix". KOMPAS.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2022-12-25.
- ^ Wuryanto, Yohana Nabilla; Ratih, Margareth. "Fakta Unik The Big 4, Komedi Laga Original Netflix Indonesia". Narasi Tv. Retrieved 2022-12-25.
- ^ "Timo Tjahjanto Ungkap Misi Pribadi Buat Pulau Bersi di The Big 4". hiburan (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2022-12-25.
- ^ Lova, Cynthia; Maharani, Dian (2022-11-30). "Trailer Film Big 4 Rilis, Kisahkan Sekelompok Pembunuh Bayaran". KOMPAS.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2022-12-25.
- ^ The Big 4, retrieved 2022-12-25
- ^ a b Tallerico, Brian. "The Big 4 movie review & film summary (2022) | Roger Ebert". www.rogerebert.com. Retrieved 2022-12-25.
- ^ Loftus, Johnny. "'The Big 4' Netflix Review: Stream It or Skip It?". Retrieved 2022-12-25.
- ^ Moore, Roger (2022-12-15). "Netflixable? Indonesian Mayhem delivered by "The Big 4"". Movie Nation. Retrieved 2022-12-25.
External links
[edit]- The Big Four at IMDb
- The Big 4 at Rotten Tomatoes
- The Big 4 on Netflix
