KUALA LUMPUR: Super teen Ejen Ali is a history-maker in Malaysian films.
His hugely popular big screen adventure Ejen Ali: The Movie is now Malaysia's best selling animated film, overtaking Upin & Ipin: Keris Siamang Tunggal and Boboiboy The Movie 2, which were also screened last year.
Ejen Ali: The Movie raked in a whopping RM30 million after six weeks in cinemas. It is also Malaysia's third best-selling film after 2018's biggest hits Munafik 2 (RM48 million) and Hantu Kak Limah (RM36 million).
And that means the skateboard-savvy young agent's cinematic debut last Nov 28 was 2019's top selling local film.
Ejen Ali: The Movie's co-producers Primeworks Studios and Wau Animation, in a joint statement today, said that it had just crossed the RM30 million collection mark, and this success was earned through continuous support from movie-goers.
Primeworks chief executive officer Datuk Ahmad Izham Omar said: "During the crowded year-end holiday period of the movie’s release, it remained steadfast against healthy competition from Hollywood films. Its record-breaking feat closes off the 'year of Malaysian animation'."
He added: "This achievement speaks volumes about the calibre of our animation and film industry, the talented creators at Wau Animation, and the fact that audiences proudly support high-quality Malaysian products.”
Wau chief executive officer Usamah Zaid Yasin said: “We are beyond thrilled to experience the record-breaking success of Ejen Ali. When we first conceptualised Ali's universe, we had imagined him going to the silver screen. Our immense gratitude goes to every single person who filled the cinema seats, recommended Ali to their friends and family and shared many positive comments. Thank you very much for making our dream a reality.”
Ejen Ali: The Movie began screening in Indonesia on Jan 1, in 101 cinemas including CGV, Flix, Platinum, Kota Cinema and Cinepolis outlets. Early reviews from Netizens have been positive, and it has been given the thumbs up from Indonesian novelist Tere Liye.
The movie follows 12-year-old Ejen Ali, who after being accidentally recruited as a spy has now grown to embrace his role in secret agency Meta Advance Tactical Agency (MATA) to protect the futuristic city of Cyberaya from outside threats.
Ali is surprised to discover that he is no longer the only master of the Infinity Retinal Intelligence System (IRIS) gadget since MATA has now upgraded to IRIS Neo for all MATA agents.
When the new invention leads Ali to question his place and usefulness to MATA, he is approached by a rogue figure who claims to know about a surprising personal connection to Ali.
Risking his loyalty to MATA, Ejen Ali embarks on a thrilling chase to unravel these mysterious links.