LAUGHTER APLENTY HERE

I REALLY can't extend my caustic streak here. A review of Senario Lagi would inadvertently read like a promo ad. But it can't be help. This is one of Grand Brilliance Sdn Bhd's (GBSB) better movies.

After the successful Senario The Movie which grossed RM5.2mil, one can understand the anxiety surrounding the release of Senario Lagi: a predictable formula would make Senario 2 a cliche; a totally different approach would be too much of a risk.

So, director Aziz M.Osman has decided to choose the middle path, which is neither predictable and nor too different. The result is a refreshing movie with a fine script.

The fact that Aziz wrote the script himself proves of his versatility. Getting the five talented "clowns" Wahid, Azlee, Saiful, Mazlan and Yassin to work together is not easy, but Aziz has pulled it off. Each is given a substantial role and these characters are unrelated to their role in the original.

The movie starts off with Azlee buying a Wira from a used car dealer (played by Mustapha Kamal) not realising that it's a stolen vehicle. Soon he is on his way to Cherating for a holiday with his wife Zati (Shanie Hisham) and son Zali (Boy-Zali), not realising that it (the car) is the beginning of an offbeat adventure.

Mazlan, a car repossessor trying to recover the Wira, tails them. For some reason Wahid, a car thief, is also eyeing the same Wira. More intrigue follows when Azlee accidentally knocks down a man, Saiful, who then tries to get some easy money off him. Finally there's Yassin the "pendatang halal" who tries to get a free ride to the east coast.

It is Yassin who gets the best role. His Indon character, a hard-core Hindi movie fan who is in love with Bollywood actress Juhi Chawla, provides most of the laughs. His casual and natural portrayal is a joy to watch, especially in tandem with Kamala (played convincingly by newcomer Siti Nora) who plays his love interest.

Yassin thinks Kamala is his answer to unattainable Juhi and so hilariously sets out to woo her. From dangdut-influenced Hindi songs to lush gardens in which to revel romantically, Hindi-style,the Yassin-Kamala scenes will have you in stitches.

Umi Aida plays the seductive but lonely club singer Linda brilliantly, while Shanie is her cute, funny self in her role as Zati.

The direction is smooth, the pace fast and, along the way, funny and witty lines are thrown at us. It's so simple, instinctive and no-frills. That's what I like most about Senario Lagi. As with the first movie, director Aziz M.Osman is cleverly surprises us with cameo roles by famous personalities. Watch out for Jalaluddin Hassan and the beautiful Nina Juren Hanif in "Butik Mengidam" TV slot, Lydiawati as the neighbour, Nur Aliah Lee as the lady boss, Ahmad Idham (the doctor), Azhar Sulaiman (stall operator), Zulkifli Zain (sugar daddy), Amy Mastura (police officer Elizabeth) and Pansha as the Indian groom.

The funny moments are plentiful. The audience at the preview especially liked the Indian wedding scene and this inclusion of the Indian community brought about a feel-good Malaysian buzz. Apart from the great P.Ramlee and Othman Hafsham, not many local directors are charmingly multicultural enough.

Senario Lagi is not without its flaws. I thought the outrageous "urine drinking" scene a bit too much. Child actor Al-Hariz Ismail who plays Zali is a sore thumb, wooden in his rendition.

Furthermore, the opening of the movie is kind of draggy. It doesn't really zoom in on the story straightaway. Fortunately Aziz gets his act together before we are driven to distraction.

With tighter editing, the movie could have been better, although admittedly has the makings of a winner. Senario Lagi is highly entertaining, with good cast, good script and fine direction. Sounds like a promo, doesn't it? But why don't you go watch the movie?

REVIEW BY ZIEMAN - PUBLISHED 27/5/2000