Writer: Cammy Zulkifli

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Watch this if you liked: A watered-down version of "The Fast And The Furious".

Director Ahmad Idham's latest flick "Impak Maksima" is certainly an ambitious effort. Cashing in on the success of international cult hit "The Fast And The Furious" and its sequel "2 Fast, 2 Furious", this high-speed orchestra wraps around a similar premise - fast cars, hot women and the underground illegal racing circuit.

Although the appeal is there, Idham chooses to tackle a teenage culture that's still in its infancy here in Malaysia and makes it to look larger than it really is. His earlier directorial effort "Rempit" is by far more solid and convincing than "Impak Maksima", based on logic alone. "Rempit" focuses on the lives of Mat Rempits, illegal motorbike racers that's a local phenomenon with a gargantuan following. "Impak Maksima", however, is like a mirage of every teenager's wet dream.

Young and upcoming actor Awal Ashaari plays Ayie in his first ever leading role. His expression is one-dimensional and the harder he tries, the more he comes across as an actor trying to act. Awal's character Ayie is highly overshadowed by that of Eizlan Yusoff, who plays Ayie's brother. Matured and definitely more experienced than Awal, Eizlan possesses genuine showmanship as the protective and level-headed elder brother Johari.

Another notable performance was by Zul Huzaimy, whose string of 'bad guy' roles ("Rempit" included) has earned him a reputation as the favourite film antagonist in the local industry. His depiction of Ray, the 'villain' of the movie, was a little recycled from his role in "Rempit" but Ahmad Idham couldn't have chosen a better actor to play him. However, other characters in the movie seem absolutely unnecessary, especially Maria (Dynaz Mokhtar), an undercover police officer who only manages to look pretty (reminiscent of Eva Mendes' character in "2 Fast, 2 Furious"), and Eva (played by newcomer Yatt), Ayie's crush who casts no "impak" on the movie whatsoever with next to no dialogue.

The most disheartening aspect of the film is the obvious CG used in some scenes - most notably in car crashes, explosions and an unrealistic CG truck for a tricky go-kart chase scene. I'd prefer it if very little or no CG were utilised for this film because the cartoon effects were less than desirable. Ahmad Idham could have spent the film budget more wisely just by implementing smaller explosions, cars that don't somersault when it crashes and using just an excellent stuntman for the go-kart chase.

In the end, the idea is bright with a little bit of local flavour thrown in. Ah Longs (loan sharks), Mat Rempits and local mamak eateries decorate the film to satisfy local appetite. With a good soundtrack to back it up, "Impak Maksima" is certainly a mile away from your over-baked, atypical love tales.

Cinema Online, 23 September 2008