The One With The Princess of Mount Ophir 

* Mount Ophir is now better known as Mount Ledang *

Many stumbled to this blog in their way to seek out for review on Malaysian latest big-hype most expensive ever movie Puteri Gunung Ledang.. thousands apologies since we just managed to watch it last night while we tagged our blog "Puteri Gunung Ledang - Review to come" months back.. so, here it is review of mine, like it or not :

Puteri Gunung Ledang (2004) - PGL, a production of Enfiniti Productions started its journey in 2001 when the idea first came up. It is definitely a different adaptation compared to 'Puteri Gunong Ledang' produced by Cathay Keris in 1961.

The movie PGL sets in 15th century Melaka Sultanate and the grand Javanese kingdom of Majapahit. Gusti Putri Retno Dumillah (Tiara Jacquelina) of Majapahit, fallen in a forbidden love with Malacca's most influential warrior, Hang Tuah (M.Nasir). Promise made between each other to spend their lives together at Gunung Ledang, a sacred land, untouched and full with beauties..

"Kalao Kekanda tidak kembali, Adinda berjanji akan menyusuli Kekanda"

So it be.. Gusti Putri leaves her enchanted land of Majapahit without consent to his brother King Gusti Adipati Handaya Ningrat (Alex Komang), to Gunung Ledang awaits for her lover Hang Tuah to come. Soon after, powerful Kingdom of Demak attacks Majapahit. Gusti Adipati initiates a plan to marry his sister to the prince of Demak. As he knows Gusti Putri already arrived at Gunung Ledang, he changes his plan by trying to forge an alliance with the mighty Melaka Sultanate, asking Sultan Mahmud Shah of Melaka to marry his sister.

The Sultan of Malacca agrees and orders his loyal warrior Hang Tuah to lead the the royal proposal delegation to Gunung Ledang. Hang Tuah finds himself lost at a cross-path to choose between his lover or his leader.

Well.. it is not hard for me to say PGL simply the best Malaysian movie in this century.. (read : 2000-2004) - haven't watch many Malaysian movies though.. (looking forward for Uwei's Buai Laju-Laju)..Still it is one of the best all-time..

However at some point the storyline was too slow and heavy.. dreadfully dragging.. 2 hours and 45 minutes would be too long for some.. (especially a young lady with a baby kicking inside her stomach :P) idea of combining 'artsy' and 'action' isn't work very well... from my personal point of view, an action movie may go up to 3 hours while 'artsy' movie should stop an hour less.. Movie sets were brilliant.. made us thinking where in the world of Malacca got white clean beach.. Customes were also nicely designed to give a real feel of 15th century Malacca & Majapahit..

Too many good scenes in the movie to share coz its cinematography is stunning.. except.. IMHO, fighting scene between Hang Tuah and Gusti Adipati.. simply the worst.. a major turn-off.. Other than that, 2 thumbs up from me! Casts, despite their older age, M. Nasir and Tiara Jaqueline managed to spark the chemistry between each other.. I would also say Datuk Rahim Razali shall win Best Supporting Actor in FFM18.. Sofea Jane as Tun Teja still can give a little ERK¹.. for me.. Mamat Khalid did a brilliant job..

I vote PGL for 2004 best epic movie.. nuff said.. * I hold this until I watch Alexander*

Read on the legend of Fairy Princess of Mount Ophir

¹ERK(n) = situation where you find yourself speechless, stunned, shocked with amazement.