Ejen Ali: The Movie (sometimes also subtitled MISSION: NEO) is a 2019 Malaysian Malay-language animated spy-fi action film. The film follows a 12-year old spy Agent, Ali, as he embraces his role in MATA, the secret agency, and uncover the secret technology which has threatened the fate of Cyberaya. But unknown to Ali, MATA has also created a new improved version of IRIS, the IRIS NEO, to use the Override at will. While the new device itself begin to use for all agents, Ali question his usefulness to MATA. He is approached by another mysterious person named Niki, who holds a personal connection between Ali. Risking his loyalty to MATA, Ejen Ali will now embarks his thrilling chase to unravel those mysterious links.
| Ejen Ali The Movie | |
|---|---|
 Official theatrical poster | |
| Directed by | Usamah Zaid Yasin |
| Written by | Usamah Zaid Yasin Faqihin Mohd Fazlin Shafiq Isa Hilman Muhamad Nazmi Yatim |
| Screenplay by | Usamah Zaid Yasin Faqihin Mohd Fazlin Hilman Muhamad |
| Story by | Usamah Zaid Yasin Faiz Hanafiah Shafiq Isa Nazmi Yatim Fuad Md Din |
| Based on | Ejen Ali by Usamah Zaid Yasin |
| Produced by | Faiz Hanafiah |
| Starring | Ida Rahayu Yusoff Nabilah Rais Azman Zulkiply Noorhayati Maslini Omar Shafiq Isa Salina Salmee Mohd Ali Abu Shafian Abd Hamid Ahmad Sufian Mazilan Megat Zahrin Megat Hisham Altimet |
| Edited by | Andi Abdul Ghani Reuben Singham |
| Music by | Azri Yunus Hakim Kamal |
Production companies | |
| Distributed by | Primeworks Studios Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures (Asia International) |
Release date |
|
Running time | 97 minutes |
| Country | Malaysia |
| Language | Malay |
| Budget | RM6.5 million (US$1.57 Million)[1] |
| Box office | RM30.05 million (US$7.26 million) |
Based on the local TV animation series Ejen Ali, it is the first film from WAU Animation. It is directed by Usamah Zaid Yasin and co-written by Usamah himself, Faqihin Mohd Fazlin, Shafiq Isa, Nazmi Yatim and Hilman Muhamad.[2]
It has received positive reviews from audiences and critics locally, with praise for its action sequences, storyline, character developments and emotional depth.[3] It grossed over RM30 million in Malaysia, making it the highest-grossing Malaysian animated film of all time.[4]
A sequel film titled Ejen Ali The Movie 2 is scheduled for 2025.[5][6]
Premise
editDuring a mission to save Cyberaya's Mayor Dato' Othman, Ali discovers a secret project of M.A.T.A related to his I.R.I.S using his own once invention IRIS Atlas as being used as I.R.I.S Neo. He begins detesting himself and of his worth in MATA, when in turn of events crosses path with a rouge woman, Niki, who happened to be a friend of his deceased mother Aliya. Initially befriending her, he soon discovers her split that had related to Aliya's death; He learns of her late mother being a MATA member who also happened to create IRIS at first place, and that Niki believed her to be a tyrant because she joined hands with MATA and left her community of poor people of Fringe. Ali must battle her down and stop the mayhem before the city is compromised.
Cast
edit- Ida Rahayu Yusoff, as Ali & Comot
- Nabilah Rais, as Niki
- Noorhayati Maslini Omar, as Alicia
- Shafiq Isa, as Bakar
- Azman Zulkiply, as General Rama
- Salina Salmee Mohd Ali, as Aliya
- Abu Shafian Abd Hamid, as Dato' Othman
- Ahmad Sufian Mazilan, as Bobby
- Megat Zahrin Megat Hisham, as Fit
- Azuan Wanji, as Vikram
- Altimet, as Andik
- Amir Mustaqim, as Surya
- Fadhli Shafian, as Abang Bear
English dub
edit- Steven Bones, as Ali
- Ida Rahayu Yusoff as Comot
- Anita Woo, as Niki
- Denise Chan, as Alicia
- Azman Zulkiply, as General Rama, Bakar & Viktor
- Adila Shakir, as Aliya
- Jay Sheldon, as Dato' Othman
- Bryan Chong, as Bobby
- Gavin Yap, as Fit & Andik
- Ruben Kevin, as Vikram
- Papi Zak, as Surya
- Colin Chong, as Abang Bear
Production
editThe film costs RM6.5 million to produce, including promotion cost.[7] The filmmaking team consists of a total of 80 local animation designers and graphic artists. The production of this film uses high-quality digital technology.[2] The average crews who produced this animated movie is between the ages of 25 and 28.[8] The process of filmmaking took about one and a half years to be finished. Unlike any Malaysian animation film, the credits of Ejen Ali: The Movie was written in English rather than in Malay.
Soundtrack
edit| Ejen Ali The Movie (Official Motion Picture Soundtrack) | |
|---|---|
| Film score by Azri Yunus, Hakim Kamal and Altimet | |
| Released | December 27, 2019 |
| Recorded | 2019 |
| Genre | Score |
| Length | 71:20 |
| Label | Monkey Bone |
| "Bukalah Matamu" | |
|---|---|
| Single by Aisyah Aziz & Bunga | |
| Released | 20 September 2019 |
| Recorded | 2019 |
| Genre | Pop Hip Hop EDM |
| Length | 4:19 |
| Label | Monkey Bone |
| Songwriter(s) | Azri Yunus Bunga Usamah Zaid Yasin WAU Animation TheFatRat (Christian Friedrich Johannes Büttner) |
| Producer(s) | WAU Animation |
| "Kita Jaga Kita" | |
|---|---|
| Single by Altimet, Cuurley & Malik Abdullah | |
| Released | 25 October 2019 |
| Recorded | 2019 |
| Genre | Pop Hip Hop EDM |
| Length | 3:41 |
| Label | Monkey Bone |
| Songwriter(s) | Cuurley Altimet Bo Amir Iqram |
| Producer(s) | WAU Animation |
The music score is composed by the lead composer, Azri Yunus, assisted by the assistant composer, Hakim Kamal. Azri Yunus stated that the difference of the music score in the series with this film is they wanted to put more ecstatic value by putting in more emotional feelings to make audiences in the cinemas attached.[9] The official soundtrack album of the film is released on 27 December 2019.
"Bukalah Matamu" is the first single released from the official soundtrack, released on YouTube and all streaming platforms on 20 September 2019.[10] The song sends a message to people who have everything to open their eyes and improve themselves.
However, "Bukalah Matamu" went into a controversy where it was claimed that the song has a similarity with a song ''The Calling'' from foreign artists TheFatRat and Laura Brehm. The director, Usamah has explained that they have no intention to imitate the song as claimed by most people. They made the song by making a few group bands as references, such as Linkin Park and Daft Punk. When the crew realized that the song has similarities with "The Calling", they were surprised and immediately contacted TheFatRat to explain the situation, while offering them credit to the song and a bit of royalty from the film.[11]
"Kita Jaga Kita" is the second single released from the official soundtrack.[12] The lyrics of the songs comes from the perspective of the people of the fictional urban slum Pinggiran in Cyberaya. In March 2020, the single is used as the theme song for the national COVID-19 prevention campaign and Movement Control Order by the Malaysian Government through the #kitajagakita hashtag. On 31 August 2020, in celebration of the country's 63rd Independence Day, an official music video of the song is released, which is dedicated to all frontliners across Malaysia.[13]
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Kita Berjumpa Akhirnya" | 9:43 |
| 2. | "Pengganas. Cepat! Cepat! Cepat!" | 3:00 |
| 3. | "Kamu Patut Berasa Bangga" | 1:50 |
| 4. | "Siapa Nak Makan Satay?" | 1:12 |
| 5. | "Ali's Lullaby (Music Box)" | 2:22 |
| 6. | "Cyberaya" | 0:25 |
| 7. | "HQ M.A.T.A" | 1:11 |
| 8. | "Kejar Abang Bear!" | 2:26 |
| 9. | "Pengenalan" | 2:08 |
| 10. | "Wira Pinggiran (Flashback Niki)" | 2:23 |
| 11. | "Menara Beta" | 3:11 |
| 12. | "Aku Tahu Jalannya" | 2:25 |
| 13. | "Kau Macam Aliya" | 2:59 |
| 14. | "Cari Dia Sampai Dapat (Kita Jaga Kita)" (performed by Altimet, Cuurley and Malik Abdullah) | 2:18 |
| 15. | "Kejar Dia!" | 2:59 |
| 16. | "Perangkap" | 4:10 |
| 17. | "Cerita Sebenar" | 4:54 |
| 18. | "Buka Mata" | 2:19 |
| 19. | "Serangan Kasar" | 2:46 |
| 20. | "Mau Pigi Mana? (Mamak Maju)" | 0:46 |
| 21. | "Dikawal & Terkawal (Override Mode)" | 2:37 |
| 22. | "Akan Sentiasa Dengan Kamu" | 5:39 |
| 23. | "Hilang Tiada Ganti - Tamat" (performed by Ida Rahayu Yusoff) | 3:12 |
| 24. | "Mamak Maju (Music Compile)" | 1:42 |
| 25. | "Mama (Ada Di Hatimu Selalu)" (performed by Ida Rahayu Yusoff) | 2:51 |
| Total length: | 71:20 | |
Release
editWAU Animation announced this film project when they released their first teaser trailer for this movie on 7 August 2018.[14] The second teaser trailer is released on 29 March 2019.[15] The first official trailer was premiered on 1 August 2019,[16] while the second official trailer was premiered on 9 October 2019.[17]
On 2 October 2019, WAU Animation had officially released the official theatrical poster of the film, which also revealed the release date for Malaysian cinemas. It was released in 146 cinemas in Malaysia, 8 in Singapore and 7 in Brunei. There was also a possibility of it being screened in 50 countries but Ahmad Izham Omar, CEO of Primeworks Studios ultimately denied of releasing the movie further in all countries, and stated that they had finalized the release with their selective countries and they won't be expanding to further international release.[18] For the Indonesian market, the film is released in CGV, Kota Cinemas, Platinum Cineplex and Flix Indonesia on 1 January 2020.
In Vietnam, the film was screened in the country as representative of Malaysia in the ASEAN Film Week 2020. This is the only animated-featured film to join the event.[19][20] The film was screened for free for the public in 3 major cities holding the event, including the capital Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh city. The first screening session of the movie in Vietnam was on July 21, 2020, in the National Cinema Center in Hanoi.[21] In Brazil, it was released on April 16, 2021, for representing Malaysia at Brazilian film festival.
On 14 February, its release in Uzbekistan was confirmed announced.[22][23]
Subsequently, the film was also released on the local TV channels, and regional OTT platforms, like Astro-First, regional Netflix as well as Disney+ Hotstar for Malaysia only.
In India, this film was aired on March 24, 2024 on Hungama TV.[24]
Sequel
editAfter the great success achieved over time and awards for the film, its sequel titled Ejen Ali The Movie 2 is being planned by the co-producers of WAU Animation, and it is scheduled for 2025.[25]
Reception
edit| Days of screening | Cumulative sales |
|---|---|
| 1 day (28 November) | RM 1.86 million (US$452,894)[26] |
| 3 days (30 November) | RM 6.4 million (US$1.56 million)[27] |
| 7 days (4 December) | RM 13 million (US$3.17 million)[28] |
| 14 days (11 December) | RM 20 million (US$4.87 million)[29] |
| 21 days (18 December) | RM 25 million (US$6.09 million)[30] |
| 30 days (27 December) | RM 28.5 million (US$6.94 million)[31] |
| 43 days (9 January) | RM 30 million (US$7.36 million)[32] |
| 77 days (12 February) | RM 30.05 million (US$7.38 million)[33] |
Ejen Ali: The Movie has grossed over RM30 million in Malaysia. Originally, WAU Animation targeted RM20 million for the local market for this film,[34] in which the film achieved in only 14 days of screening. It has surpassed another 2019 Malaysian animation film BoBoiBoy Movie 2 (RM30 million), making it the highest-grossing local Malaysian animated film of all time, until it was surpassed by Mechamato Movie in 2022, the highest-grossing Malaysian film in 2019 and the third highest-grossing Malaysian film of all time.[35]
Awards and nominations
edit| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 24th Cartoons on the Bay Pulcinella Awards | Best Animated Feature Film | Ejen Ali: The Movie[36] | Nominated | [37] |
| 2021 | 31st Malaysia Film Festival | Best Animated Film | Ejen Ali: The Movie | Won | [38] |
References
edit- ^ Altimet terbit lagu tema Ejen Ali The Movie" Berita Harian. 24 March 2019. Retrieved on 24 July 2019.
- ^ a b "Selami lebih mendalam dunia Ejen Ali" Harian Metro. 11 July 2019. Retrieved on 24 July 2019.
- ^ "'Ejen Ali' reaches historic milestone of RM30m in just six weeks". Malay Mail. 11 January 2020. Archived from the original on 11 January 2020.
- ^ ""Ejen Ali" sets record as highest-grossing 2019 local film". Yahoo Malaysia. 13 January 2020. Archived from the original on 12 August 2020.
- ^ Tahir Alhamzah (22 December 2020). "#Showbiz: Ejen Ali The Movie sequel in the pipeline". The New Straits Times. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
- ^ EjenAli (13 September 2024). Ejen Ali The Movie 2 - Official Teaser Trailer. Retrieved 13 September 2024 – via YouTube.
- ^ " Altimet terbit lagu tema Ejen Ali The Movie" Berita Harian. 24 March 2019. Retrieved on 24 July 2019.
- ^ "Ejen Ali The Movie sasar kutipan RM20 juta" Berita Harian. 20 November 2019. Retrieved on 29 November 2019.
- ^ "Misi: The Making Of Ejen Ali The Movie" YouTube. 25 November 2019. Retrieved on 29 November 2019.
- ^ "Bukalah Matamu - Aisyah Aziz, Bunga Lyrics Video (Ejen Ali The Movie OST)" YouTube. 20 September 2019. Retrieved on 20 September 2019.
- ^ Lagu Tema Ejen Ali The Movie didakwa ciplak lagu TheFatRat, ini penjelasan pengarah. Gempak. 20 November 2019. Retrieved 26 December 2019
- ^ "Kita Jaga Kita - Altimet x Cuurley x Malik Abdullah Lyrics Video (Ejen Ali The Movie OST)" YouTube. 25 October 2019. Retrieved on 26 October 2019.
- ^ "Kita Jaga Kita - Altimet, Cuurley & Malik Abdullah Official Music Video" YouTube. 31 August 2020. Retrieved on 31 August 2020.
- ^ "Ejen Ali : The Movie (Teaser Trailer)" YouTube. 7 August 2018. Retrieved on 24 July 2019.
- ^ "Ejen Ali The Movie - Official Teaser Trailer" YouTube. 29 March 2019. Retrieved on 24 July 2019.
- ^ "Ejen Ali The Movie - Official Trailer #1" YouTube. 1 August 2019. Retrieved on 1 August 2019.
- ^ "Ejen Ali The Movie - Official Trailer #2 | Di pawagam 28 November 2019" YouTube. 9 October 2019. Retrieved on 21 November 2019.
- ^ "#Showbiz: An updated spy kid" New Straits Times. 26 July 2019. Retrieved on 31 July 2019.
- ^ "ASEAN Film Week 2020 to take place in three major cities" Nhan Dan Online
- ^ "Malaysian animation hit 'Ejen Ali' to be screened at Asean Film Week 2020" The Star Online
- ^ "" Vietnamese movie kicks off ASEAN Film Week 2020" Vietnam Plus/Vietnam News Agency
- ^ Entertainment, N. S. T. (14 February 2022). "#Showbiz: 'Ejen Ali The Movie' to premiere in Uzbekistan cinemas | New Straits Times". NST Online. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
- ^ Sallehuddin, Serimah Mohd (16 February 2022). "Ejen Ali The Movie masuk 25 pawagam di Uzbekistan". Berita Harian (in Malay). Retrieved 16 February 2022.
- ^ Ejen Ali The Movie | New Movie | Hindi HD Promo | 24th March | Hungama TV. Retrieved 22 April 2024 – via www.youtube.com.
- ^ Tahir Alhamzah (22 December 2020). "#Showbiz: Ejen Ali The Movie sequel in the pipeline". The New Straits Times. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
- ^ "(RM1.86 JUTA DALAM 1 HARI) Terima kasih Ejen! ❤ #EjenAliTheMovie berjaya mendapatkan kutipan pembukaan Tertinggi Bagi Filem Animasi Tempatan sebanyak RM1.86 JUTA di Malaysia, Brunei dan Singapura!" Facebook. 29 November 2019. Retrieved on 29 November 2019.
- ^ "Ejen Ali The Movie kutip RM6.4 juta tiga hari" Berita Harian. 2 December 2019. Retrieved on 2 December 2019.
- ^ "(RM13 JUTA DALAM 1 MINGGU) Terima kasih Ejen! ❤😭 #EjenAliTheMovie berjaya mendapatkan kutipan sebanyak RM13 JUTA di Malaysia, Brunei dan Singapura sepanjang minggu pembukaan! Terima kasih atas sokongan anda Ejen-ejen! Naisu! 🎉🎉🎉" Facebook. 04 December 2019. Retrieved on 04 December 2019.
- ^ "(RM20 JUTA DALAM 2 MINGGU) Lebih 1.7 JUTA penonton telah menonton #EjenAliTheMovie di pawagam sekitar Malaysia, Brunei dan Singapura! Terima kasih Ejen! 🎉🎉🎉 Misi kami tidak mungkin akan berjaya tanpa sokongan anda! 🤜🏻💥🤛🏻" Facebook. 12 December 2019. Retrieved on 12 December 2019.
- ^ "(RM25 JUTA DALAM 3 MINGGU) Lebih 2 JUTA Ejen telah menonton #EjenAliTheMovie di pawagam sekitar Malaysia, Brunei dan Singapura! Terima kasih atas sokongan padu anda, Ejen! 🎉🎉🎉 🤜🏻💥🤛🏻" Facebook. 19 December 2019. Retrieved on 19 December 2019.
- ^ "(RM28.5 JUTA DALAM 30 HARI) Lebih 2.3 JUTA penonton untuk #EjenAliTheMovie! Terima kasih Ejen! 🎉🎉🎉 Jangan ketinggalan! Tamatkan tahun 2019 anda dengan salah satu filem animasi Top 3 di Malaysia! Jumpa di pawagam! 🤜🏻💥🤛🏻" Facebook. 28 December 2019. Retrieved on 28 December 2019.
- ^ "❗ RM30 JUTA DALAM 6 MINGGU❗ Sebuah permulaan yang hebat untuk tahun 2020! Terima kasih Ejen kerana menjayakan misi ini! 😍🎉🎉🎉. 🤜🏻💥🤛🏻" Facebook. 10 January 2020. Retrieved on 10 January 2020.
- ^ "Kutipan akhir #EjenAliTheMovie yang diumumkan oleh Finas: RM30,054,301.53 Dalam masa 11 minggu (77 hari) tayangan di pawagam Malaysia (28 Nov 2019 hingga 12 Feb 2020)" Twitter. 9 March 2020. Retrieved on 9 March 2020.
- ^ "Sasaran RM20 juta untuk Ejen Ali The Movie" Harian Metro. 24 March 2019. Retrieved on 24 July 2019.
- ^ "'Ejen Ali' reaches historic milestone of RM30m in just six weeks". Malay Mail. 11 January 2020. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
- ^ "Ejen Ali the Movie". Archived from the original on 26 January 2022. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
- ^ "Ejen Ali the Movie Flying High to Represent Malaysia on a Global Level | TRP".
- ^ Ariffin, Fatin Farhana (10 December 2021). "Ejen Ali The Movie raih Anugerah Khas : Box Office FFM31". Berita Harian. Retrieved 11 December 2021.