Writer: Nurul Yezid

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Watch this if you liked: “Ngangkung”

In every movie that stars Shaheizy Sam, one can expect that the film to be a comedy, and that sums up "Nongkrong". The film took its story cue from the wildly popular local film "Ngangkung", which became a box office hit with ticket sales reaching RM8.5 million in the year 2010, making it one of the most successful local films to come out that year.

"Nongkrong" is also directed by Ismail 'Bob' Hasim, a director known for his vast experiences in directing comedy films such as "Ngangkung", "Bini-biniku Gangster" and also the soon-to-be released "Adnan Sempit 2", which also stars Shaheizy Sam as one of its main cast. However, "Nongkrong" also introduces some fresh new faces as part of its comedic line-up, which helped in elevating the mood of audiences with its hilarious bits and sketches, and they are none other than Angah and Epy of the "Raja Lawak" fame, along with actresses Mon Ryanti, Liana Rafiai and Fyza Kader.

The film follows the lives of Bada (Shaheizy Sam), Aman (Angah Raja Lawak) and Cumi (Epy Raja Lawak), who have always been down on their luck. Until one day they decided to turn their lives around and obtain wealth using 'mystical' means. This involves playing the lottery, but they would first get the winning digits by enlisting the help of a medium, who in turn summoned a beautiful princess and her escorts from the netherworld called Puteri Paya Bakau (Mon Ryanti, Liana Rafiai and Fyza Kader). But before the princess can reveal the winning digits, she conditioned that Bada had to marry her. Upon seeing the princess' good looks, he immediately agrees. However, upon their solemnization, the princess's dark and sinister secret was revealed and so begins the trio's escapes.

Similar to other local films of the same genre, "Nongkrong" mashes up comedy and horror to attract audiences. Besides the rehash comedy sketches and bits, which can be slightly overbearing and dull, the film does includes some new fresh humour which truly brought the house down, and Angah Raja Lawak is to thank for that although all three actors played their parts well. However, the dramatics could be played down a little as there were certain circumstances when all the characters' dialogues overlap and descended into a frantic string of mumblings that the writer failed to comprehend what they were trying to say.

And as for the visual and action scenes, they are pretty much standard horror comedy fare such as scenes at the graves, dark sombre moods, creepy looking mediums and everything else. However, the makeup is certainly is something to talk about as it was impressively scary.

This is a very light hearted comedy that can be enjoyed by almost everyone as it not only showcased humorous performances, but also messages about doing good deeds. So if you want to take your mind of the hustle and bustle of the city and have a few good laughs, this film certainly would tickle your fancy.

Cinema Online, 11 May 2012