Earlier this month, I decided to give Sang Kancil a go, expecting it to be a fun, family-friendly movie perfect for a weekend with the kids. After all, who wouldn’t want to enjoy a clever retelling of the beloved folktale? Well, buckle up, because this movie turned out to be anything but light-hearted fun.
Let me start with a confession: I’ve always been skeptical of Malay movies. Sure, there are gems like Malbatt and Imaginur that rekindle my hope for our local film industry. But sadly, the bad often outweighs the good, leaving me hesitant to try anything new for fear of disappointment. Still, as a proud Malaysian, I thought, “Why not give Sang Kancil a chance?” Big mistake.
The movie started promisingly enough with a dark and mysterious tone. Sang Kancil’s mother was tragically killed by a shadowy figure, setting up what I thought would be a meaningful story. It even showcased Sang Kancil’s cleverness as he tricked larger animals and saved smaller ones. But then the tone shifted – and not for the better.
The movie spiraled into dark humor and physical comedy that felt unnecessarily harsh. Watching Sang Kancil slap his friends around in so-called “comedic” moments was a red flag for me. Yes, there was one redeeming relationship – Sang Kancil’s bond with the wise old squirrel – but that wasn’t enough to save the narrative.
Things went from bad to worse when the story introduced the black jaguars as the villains, aiming to dominate the jungle through violence. This could have been compelling if handled well, but instead, it led to overly gory fight scenes that had me cringing and closing my eyes. Let me be clear: this movie is not suitable for children under 12.
The biggest problem? The movie felt confused about its target audience. The playful, kid-friendly moments clashed awkwardly with the excessive violence, leaving me wondering, “Who is this movie for?”
And then there was the climax – a full-blown “war” between Sang Kancil’s gang (a motley crew of rabbits, monkeys, and other animals) and the jaguars. Instead of showcasing Sang Kancil’s wit and resourcefulness – the very qualities that make him iconic – the movie relied on brute strength. The outcome? Utterly unrealistic and disappointing.
By the time the credits rolled, my initial score of 7/10 had plummeted to a dismal 3/10. Here’s why:
Confused Target Audience – The blend of childish humor and violent gore made the movie feel aimless.
Toxic Friendships – Depicting abusive relationships as “funny” sets a terrible example for younger viewers.
Misrepresentation of Smartness – Sang Kancil’s trickery felt more like deceit than genuine cleverness.
Excessive Violence – Even as an animation, the blood and gore were over the top.
Missed Opportunities – The final battle abandoned the movie’s theme of intelligence for a generic show of force.
If you’re looking for an inspiring movie about unity, responsibility, and cleverness, skip Sang Kancil and rewatch Mufasa. Now that’s a film that delivers on its promise.
On a brighter note, I recently watched Reversi, another Malay movie, and let me tell you – it’s a game-changer. Stay tuned for that review because it’s one you won’t want to miss.
Thanks for reading, and I’ll see you in the next review!
