After a long 23 years, Petualangan Sherina is back again with an interesting and cute sequel, and it is simply called Petualangan Sherina 2. The film is simply interesting and entertaining. It’s for both the older viewers who have already watched the first film and for the younger audiences.
Petualangan Sherina 2 tells the story about Sherina (played by Sherina) who is now working as a journalist. She is soon to go to Davos to cover the story of World Economic Forum. But shit happens. She goes to Borneo (Kalimantan) instead of Davos to cover the story of the release of Orangutan. In Kalimantan, she by chance meets Sadam (Derby Romeo) who is now working as a SJW, okay kidding, a project manager of an NGO.
Petualangan Sherina 2 remain faithful toward the big theme of the first film, that is raising awareness of an environmental issue. The first film is about air pollution in the city and the life at tea plantation, while the second film is about the release of Orangutan and the dangers collecting protected animals.
It’s not only the theme but as well as the plot, both are about chasing and being chased by criminals. In fact, some Easter eggs in the form of iconic things in the first film were also seen in Petualangan Sherina 2. Starting from her childhood bag, piano at Sherina’s house, pancake, sugar donuts, and much more. The similar themes and plots are what make Petualangan Sherina 2 closely relatable to its first film. It is also relatable towards its viewers especially those who grow up watching the first film when it was released in 2000.
The gap year between the first film and the second film is not short, it’s 23 years away. What is good about the story development department is that they know about who their market is. The audiences are also growing up. They watched Petualangan Sherina when they were children, and now they are watching the sequel with their children.
Petualangan Sherina 2 really understand the story writing for these audiences. That’s why Petualangan Sherina 2, despite the actors are now adult, the story is fit for the children. It is crafted with elements that are suitable for children. Heroism, adventure, a little bit of action, small musical performances, and the losing bad guys. It has everything a good children film should has.
The film also teases us a little with the relationship between Sherina and Sadam. What happened to their 23 years of friendship? That’s another interesting part of this film and despite having a little bit of a romantic plot, it is not the main theme. The romance is just to sweeten some part of the film and it is kinda cute.
The downside of this film is on its musical side. It’s been 23 years since the first Petualangan Sherina was released but the musical execution is still the same. The film industry has evolved, the actors have grown, the technique has evolved, yet every musicality of this film is still the same.
This film showcases a fairly simple musical element like its predecessor. Without complex choreography, precision moves, or even camera layout. The execution is still the same without a lot of changes. The scenes represent the spirit of fun live from the eyes of children from the eyes of 10 years old kid not from adult who are now have jobs.
Despite there is no obligation for Petualangan Sherina 2 to surpass its predecessor, but there should be some changes, a progress of maturity.
There is one scene that become the biggest turn-off of this film. The scene when Sadam and Sherina are trapped inside an abandoned garage. Started with a warm conversation about random things and talking about each other past. The scene is similar to its predecessor when Sadam and Sherina were running from kidnappers and stayed inside Observatorium Bosscha.
The romantic buildup is definitely there. But then the atmosphere falls into the doom right away as soon as they dance equipped with poor CGI without adequate visual sense and resources. Riri Riza seems too ambitious to recreate the dancing scene from La La Land without any proper senses and resources. The result is embarrassing. It just drops all those built up into pieces.
Overall, Petualangan Sherina 2 offers an enjoyable, fun, and memorable performance. It is not a great film, it’s just okay. It’s okay to watch and mesmerized in your own childhood memory and it’s also okay to watch with your own kids to offer an enjoyable local film that is suitable for family yet able to entertain the adult also.
Our Score (7/10)
Title: Petualangan Sherina 2
Production: Miles Film, BASE Entertainment
Director: Riri Riza
Screenwriter: Jujur Prananto, Mira Lesmana, Riri Riza, Virania Munaf
Casts: Sherina Munaf, Derby Romero, Isyana Sarasvati, Chandra Satria, Ardit Erwandha, Quinn Salman
