Pretty good movie overall. First half was nothing special but it got better as it went along.

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.

While it is a pity that the story wasn't told with more visual finesse, this is trivial compared to our real-world problems. It takes a good movie to put that into perspective.

Merah Putih was set in 1947, the producer's homage to especially his relatives, a 21-year old lieutenant and a 16-year old cadet, who died defending the republic during the time. This film boasts of a crew that also comprises of experts who have been involved in blockbusters like The Dark Knight and Blackhawk Down.Amir (played by perhaps the greatest Indonesian actor of the new generation, Lukman Sardi) was a teacher who at first refused to join the battles. But after one of his student died in the hands of the Japanese, now he decided to be up in arms against the returning Dutch forces. He joined Sekolah Perwira – a school for officers – and met an array of characters there.There was also Surono (Zumi Zola) who had to leave his older sister, the only family he got left in this world, behind. He joined the school with his best friend during his university years, blueblooded, stuck-up Marius (Darius Sinathrya, who surprisingly pulled a convincing performance, although some say his Persian looks aren't too in line with his character as a Javanese nobleman, or priyayi). They both came late to their first day at school, having spent the night bingeing.The school didn't only take in highly educated people – it also received a farmhand ("We keep chicken, not pigs, Marius") named Tomas (Donny Alamsyah). Being a Christian and a Manadonese ("Dutch dogs!" claimed Marius in disgust), Tomas became the target of bullying by the Javanese proud priyayi boy. Somehow Marius found Tomas a better object to ridicule than the Hindu Balinese, Dayan, a very polite and calm knife-wielder. (I heard the audience whispered, "How polite!" every time Dayan gave a greeting with his palms closed in one another, fingers extended touching.) The frictions of the characters – and how they try to settle them down – are one of the most interesting points of the film, especially when they found themselves beaten black and blue, surrounded by the Dutch forces, with the hesitant, newly-made Lieutenant Amir as their sole leader! I must give credits to all the actors and actresses here for showing us a top-class performance. Some viewers who watched the film with me even handclapped because they felt so excited! (And somebody shouted 'Amen' when Marius wondered on screen whether they could escape the Dutch – it was just one of the moments why watching films on theatres is so interesting!) For Indonesians, the film would feel so… cool. To see our heroes smashing the Dutch soldiers to pieces with so few men and arms really drew the outloud comments of 'Cooooool' from the audience. But this film lacked the humanity shown even by revolution-era writers like Nugroho Notosusanto or Idrus – the capability of showing that the enemies were human too.But well, the story's still long – MP is the first part of a trilogy – and perhaps there will be more details about the Dutch characters later. In MP, they're shown as nothing but evil pigs trying to snatch the land from the Indonesians again. But then again perhaps that's what nationalist films should be… Remember Braveheart and The Patriot? And, oh, please, I don't believe anyone's clothes can be that squeaky clean when they've spent a day and a night in the woods. At least the butt of their trousers will show some signs, no?

Well..thankfully that I have a low expectation about this movie so I don't feel so down when I saw it.a lot of plot holes & incorrect things (like the cloths so neatly & clean, even when they all stay in the forest for days.). The script writing is still cliché & undeveloped, & why when people lost someone, they tend to shout out loud looking up? anyway, for me, is still one of a well made indonesian movie.my plus point for this movie is coming from the characters. With many characters, I'm not confuse which one is which. Also, the talk about religion & suku bangsa, it's light but still a brain teaser to indonesian people. & oh yeah, lots of punch line hits correctly.note: this movie is bold to kill a beloved characterbtw, I think this movie meant to be scene by international audience cos if not, Soerono sister & the teacher's wife should be switch place. hopefully the next instalment can redeem the first one.(hey, when I watch it, I didn't get the red & white bandana :( )

A big budget movie, with a great casts and crew, great promotion & gimmick..I get a red-white mini flag in cinema entrance, such a sweet give away..But all will be waste, if you don't have a strong script to begin with. A lot of home works are not done by writers and I have a guess, they don't really like history in their school. And this is not because the writers are not local Indonesian If I can compare, at the same time, we have 'MERANTAU" that have a local content as much as MERAH PUTIH, written & directed by non-Indonesian guy and the result is superb... Merah Putih is big suck! They need to learn more about our history or consult with the expert or whatever need to be done since the budget is not the issue, hopefully before the 2nd and 3rd installment out.I still have faith for this movie..Hope I am not wrong this time.

Timing was so perfect...only a few days away from the independence celebration..The theme and genre was longed by the market...The marketing effort has managed to create such an awareness and expectation to get people flocking in with such level of curiosity and anticipation...The idealism and all that jazz are there..But...this motion picture failed in delivering its promises...Yes...we are all waiting for some quality local pictures to come to our cinemas..Casts were those of high quality...But, could I believe the way the plot was carried out...after one hour I haven't even seen any war scene; and this was suppose to be a war movie..cinematography was awful...they're keep overusing close-ups even for scenes that needs something like a bird-eye's view or something with a broader angle..Storyline was way too cliché and the dialogs are all jumbled...I think what they really wanted to show was how that different colors of the archipelago managed to gone through all their differences, joined together by a noble cause and coming out as a band-o'-brothers..I can't believe this how this movie had ruined such a perfect occasion and wasted so many talents (on and off screen as well).For goodness sake...work on the storyline, people!!