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This has been a busy weekend for reviews for me and I had to probably save the best for last as this indie war epic was far more satisfying that Netflix’s big franchise hopeful that also came out on Friday. To make it even more impressive is that this movie probably had a third of the budget and shooting schedule that said Netflix movie did so what was accomplished is a brutal, harrowing battle tested true event story of heroism and bravado when all seems lost.
I’m talking about the WWII action-thriller 3 Days in Malay which hails from genre icon Louis Mandylor who not only stars in but directed as well. Just like last year’s Battle for Saipan, which also starred Mandylor, 3 Days in Malay is one hell of a war pic that reminded me of the classic turns we got in the 70’s and 80’s. Think Saving Private Ryan meets The Big Red one with a cast that is all in. Surrounding Mandylor on screen are MMA champions Cowboy Cerrone and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson who play servicemen who are put against a rock and a hard place when they are forced to hold the line against thousands of Japanese troops for three brutal and unforgiving days in Malay. Thios one is based on real events and that makes it all the more harrowing in its depiction of men at their best when all seems lost.
Maylor stars as John Caputo who is recently transferred with a group of soldiers to an airstrip in Malay and it’s not an easy assignment as he must deal with a former comrade, James (Cowboy Cerrone), who has massive issues with him from past events that went array. To make matters worse, Malay is a hot spot that Axis forces want in a big way so it’s basically hundreds against thousands with no real backup in sight. Just another day at the office. Jackson stars as Reverand Conte who is a man of faith but one that also steps up to protect his brothers when the shooting commences. Rounding out the cast are veteran actor Peter Dobson as Foley and Randall J. Bacon as Benny Conroy.
Mandylor has helmed before, but this might be his best effort to date as he has crafted an unflinching indie war movie that is chock full of brutal battle sequences and scenes of bravado when it looks like no one is going to survive, A lot do not but that makes it realistic as this is what war is like when two steadfast forces engage in the ultimate combat. Mandylor takes a little time to get things going as he give the audience a little time with the men, so we see who they are before the action starts because when it does, it never lets up and the blood, dust and bodies liter the screen for the remaining running time.
Action filmmaker Brandon Slagle, who directed Battle for Saipan, penned the script and I couldn’t help but be reminded of that picture which made it to my best of 2022 list as there are sequences of extreme CQB and hand to hand action to go along with the firepower. For me, this is when it gets real because when enemies are so close, it’s only a matter of time before things get really up close and personal and the choreography is solid with realistic moves and tried and true gimmicks that showcase just how much these American soldiers are willing to die for what’s right.
On a negative note, this is a lower budgeted affair like I said so there will be those who turn their noses up to it because they are simple minded in their thinking that movies have to contain certain things. It’s hard to explain but as a blogger who has supported independent filmmaking for years, I’m one to say that some of these films outdo the big studio ones. 3 Days in Malay is one of those pictures that unfortunately won’t get the audience of a Netflix film, but it damn well should so I’m doing my part to bring it to people and especially those who love a damn good war pic.
Louis Mandylor is one of the industry’s most underrated talents and he’s done action for years, but it’s really been the past few years where has really turned on the action star bravado. Mandylor has a commanding presence and gravitas to spare and in a role like this, he excels and carries it in front of and behind the camera. Cerrone is also establishing himself as a gritty and unapologetic action star and here he clashes with Mandylor’s character and, of course, turns the tables on his performance when he has to. Jackson turns in a quieter performance that flips the 180mwhen the fighting commences, and I always felt he should have become a bigger star after appearing in the big screen version of The A-Team.
What you see is what you get with 3 Days in Malay but that’s alright as John Wayne made a great career out of that as his war movies were solid if not predictable. The war subgenre has always been a favorite of mine so I might be a little biased when it comes to this movie, but I find nothing wrong with that because I tell it like it is. If it wasn’t good, I would tell you and I’m sure there are those real-life veterans who will tear apart the realism of it, but these films are made to entertain and make you think about the ultimate sacrifices men and women make on a daily basis to protect or way of living. I feel that war movies, for the most part, are made to honor them and history and 3 Days in Malay is no exception.
Overall, 3 Days in Malay is a solid directorial effort for Louis Mandylor who also turns in a take no shit performance. Cerrone and Jackson back him up as well as the other cast members and this is truly war at its worse with men rising up to be their best. There is enough time to get to know the men and the action is relentless, unflinching and brutal in its depiction of how war really is. It’s not a happy movie with an ending that will make you smile but it will make you think and hopefully thank a veteran when you see them out and about. This movie deserves a wide audience and hopefully through great word of mouth it will achieve that.
War movies, especially indie ones, can be hit or miss and I’ve seen some truly awful ones, but this isn’t one of them and you can tell it was made by people who wanted to put out the best product they could and do it to honor those damn men who were outnumbered and outgunned but still fought until the last man. Check it out and tell a friend about it because it needs to be seen. 2023 has been a fantastic year for action cinema and 3 Days in Malay is another notch on the utility belt and has a strong chance of making it on my 2023 best of list. Job well done!
VERDICT: 4 Out of 5 Stars
ACTION-FLIX APPROVED and ESSENTIAL
3 Days in Malay showcases heroism and bravado in an unflinching and quite brutal WWII epic that should not be missed!
Have I seen it? No, I review movies that I don’t watch 🤷♂️. You wanna debate me on why it’s so terrible, you’re more than welcome. It’s called my opinion and your opinion. BTW, saying all the reviews are negative is a dumb statement. I only listen to myself just for future reference. Thanks for looking though. Appreciate it.