Short review: Nicely plotted, acted, little action thriller. The two hours go by fairly quickly.

Longer review: Some have suggested that this is Bourne with "more violence." And especially after the sorry mess that was the last Bourne film (see my IMDb review) such a feat would have been welcome. But no it is not. The Bourne story -- the top professional with a slight memory problem -- was much more subtle, This is more like Tony Jaa from Ong Bak (who actually looks like the star here!) waking up with a migraine and then everyone on the planet tries to kill him.

The action scenes are wonderful, except for the very first scene in the prison, which features too many automatic weapons going off at once. Some are especially memorable. For example -- just a tease -- this film will teach you how the very same bullet can kill a man twice. Once when you fire it. And again when you get your hands on the spent cartridge.

Recommended.

HEADSHOT is an Indonesian action movie that stars Iko Uwais in his first main action role after THE RAID films. It was directed by the Mo Brothers, who previously made the extra-dark serial killer thriller KILLERS, and like KILLERS this is a dark film indeed featuring some ultra-gory action and kill sequences. Plot-wise, it's a simple Indonesian version of THE BOURNE IDENTITY, with Uwais waking up after being found on a beach having been shot in the head.

Suspense comes from scenes featuring the imposing Sunny Pang as the villain of the piece. The early scenes in which he breaks out of prison are incredibly harrowing and well directed. The first part of the film builds character in some slow but solid scenes before letting rip with the fight action around the middle section. Action lovers will be in their element with the fast and furious martial arts sequences which feel much like the ones in THE RAID. The set-piece surrounding the bus in the woods is electrifying, but the battle in the police station is the real highlight here and an incredible bit of action which out-does THE RAID and its sequel.

After this highlight the film slows down a gear and becomes more predictable, although it's still good. The second half of the film consists of just three one-on-one fight scenes and plays out predictably, lacking the suspense and breathless excitement of the first part. The fights are still exceptional though and Julie Estelle and Very Tru Yulisman are welcome additions from THE RAID 2. The final fight recalls the one at the end of THE RAID and is pulse-pounding. HEADSHOT is an extremely violent film that once again proves that Asian action cinema is head and shoulders above equivalent Western fare, and let's hope that Uwais continues to make this kind of film for years to come.

The film opens with Indonesian Crime Lord Lee (Sunny Pang) escaping from prison. Two months later a man is washed up on shore with a head wound. He is attended by Dr.Ailin (Chelsea Islan) and assumes the name Ishmael (Iko Uwais). Lee discovers "Ismael" is still alive and sets his forces out to destroy him. The film is filled with flashbacks to describe their relationship which can be summed up in one word, 'Fagin." If you have ever seen an action film before, you know the formula.

This is an Indonesian grindhouse. It could have used a heavier soundtrack. Most of the one on one fighting was good, other times it looked like a JCVD spoof. The opening close range fire fight scene made me initially think this was going to be a Jackie Chan style comedy, but as it turns out, it wasn't meant to be funny. That is just how they roll.

I watched the film with English subtitles.

Guide: F-word. No sex or nudity.