Written By Ken Hulsey
Avery Battles, a good friend from Atomic Robot, recently shared some exciting news about a fresh addition to the monster movie genre. Believe it or not, this one comes all the way from Malaysia, and it's called *Abu: The Giant Monster*. It made its theatrical debut in Asia back in September, and the filmmakers are curious to see if it can make a splash on the international scene.
The story revolves around a young girl named Zaara who receives a gecko as a birthday gift—she charmingly names him Abu. Interestingly, she seems to prefer this little reptile over a model of the Millennium Falcon that her brother Sofian gifted her. I can't help but wonder what’s going through that child’s mind! Regardless, Zaara quickly develops a strong bond with Abu, and they become the best of friends. As time passes, Zaara grows up, but her love for Abu remains steadfast, and he stays by her side as her cherished pet.
However, things take a turn when Abu escapes and wanders off to a nearby river, where he encounters some rather unpleasant pollutants. This unfortunate incident causes him to grow to an enormous size, comparable to that of a school bus! From there, the story leads Abu into the bustling city of Kuala Lumpur, where chaos ensues—though we only get a glimpse of this in the trailer with hints of mayhem rather than detailed scenes.
At this point in her life, Zaara has nearly forgotten about her old friend Abu and is instead focused on a bold lieutenant in the Malaysian Army named Fayyad Noah. When Zaara stumbles upon a news report about the city’s rampaging monster, she quickly realizes that it’s her beloved Abu. Heart racing, she rushes out to find him, only to be met with disappointment when he fails to recognize her. Feeling dejected and anxious for Abu’s safety, she heads home, only to discover that Fayyad has been tasked with hunting down and eliminating the creature. This, of course, spells big trouble!
Now, Zaara and her brother Sofian must come together to save Abu before Fayyad and his men can put an end to his larger-than-life antics. On the surface, the plot may remind viewers of several Asian monster films that have surfaced over the past couple of decades, with the Gamera series being a notable example. Watching the trailer gives off a vibe that this film caters to a younger audience, although I doubt that was the filmmakers’ primary goal.
Abu, the gecko, is undeniably adorable, and even in his gigantic form, he retains a certain cuteness that likely aims to evoke sympathy from the audience. Surprisingly, there are far scarier reptiles in Malaysia that could have taken center stage, with the monitor lizard being one compelling candidate for a true monster.
If you’re a fan of Asian cinema or alternative film styles, *Abu: The Giant Monster* could be just the entertaining experience you’ve been seeking. It seems like a fun blend of friendship, adventure, and a bit of chaos, making it well worth a watch!
Here is the cast and production team:
Directed by Ramdan Che Hassan.Written by Ramdan Che Hassan, Fakhry Zaen, and Lakun Layar.
Starring Sophia Albarakbah, Jaa Suzuran, Afieq Shazwan, and Zalif Sidek.
Abu: The Giant Monster was co-produced by M Toons Media and Tune Production.
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