IN a Syafiq Yusof movie, "explosive" is an adjective that always reveals itself.
Such is the case with 'Sheriff', which has nothing to do with United States law enforcers, but everything with Malaysian ones, particularly those who betray the trust bestowed upon them.
The action hero is played by Zul Ariffin, who last smashed criminals as elite squad police officer Jay in 'J Revolusi' seven years ago.
This time, Zul is the titular protagonist Sheriff, whose full name is Sheriffuddin Hussein. He is a plainclothes police officer tasked with "busting corrupt cops" and is noted for always being a few steps ahead of his "prey".
Sheriff, arguably Zul's most well-developed big-screen character to date, has an interesting back story, which somehow ties in with one of the bad guys he has to deal with in his current mission.
And that secondary antagonist is a police "mole" working for a ruthless drug kingpin named Tony, played brilliantly by Datuk Aaron Aziz in his best baddie role to date.
The blonde and tattooed Tony is a formidable foe for Sheriff, for he has been convicted and acquitted more than once, and has planted informers deep inside the police force.
While they are determined to defeat each other, Sheriff and Tony eventually end up having a "common enemy" to deal with.
He is an "avenging angel" known as the "Meth Killer", who slays corrupt cops and drug kingpins in a gruesome manner.
Sheriff has been assigned to work in the police's narcotics department, where he teams up with two no-nonsense women officers — Sha (Azira Shafinaz of 'De Fam') and Jane (singer-songwriter Elizabeth Tan) — besides a young maverick named Nazri (Syafiq Kyle in his grittiest role since 'One Sen Thief').
Along the way, Sheriff gradually learns that the Meth Killer is not who he seems to be, and neither are all of his efficient police teammates.
Sheriff soon realises that the enemy within is far greater than the enemy without.
Storyline created in 'reverse whodunit' concept
Produced by Skop Productions and Astro Shaw, Sheriff introduces a fresh angle rarely explored in films — the reverse whodunit concept.
Here, the audience knows who the perpetrators are, but they have to anticipate how he or she will be apprehended.
In slightly more than two hours of explosive action, Sheriff brings the audience on an emotional roller-coaster ride that will leave them in awe of their no-nonsense hero and his allies.
While it delivers exhilarating action sequences involving Zul, Aaron, and Syafiq Kyle, its most impressive revelation is the "breakthrough" characters Sha and Jane.
Yes, 'Sheriff' is as "women empowering" as 'Barbie' because Elizabeth and Azira have "jumped the shark" to play unglamorous and no-nonsense law enforcers, who have their work cut out for them.
Both actresses deserve a big hand for their star turn and here's hoping that they will pick up film awards later.
While Zul and Aaron anchor the crime thriller as its main stars and present more than one stylish fight, Syafiq Kyle is its real scene-stealer as a tortured soul with inner demons to battle.
Viewers can easily identify with Nazri who is torn between duty and revenge, and at times cannot distinguish hallucinations from reality.
Filmed around the Klang Valley over 81 days, 'Sheriff' has great cinematography, fight choreography, and graphic scenes of victims, plus amazing plot twists that Syafiq excels at presenting.
At times, audiences are caught off-guard as to who is really a hero, and who is a villain, and that makes 'Sheriff' an interesting watch.
'Sheriff' may not be on the same level as a Hollywood blockbuster, but from the looks of it, Syafiq is "almost getting there".
NOW SHOWING
SHERIFF
Directed by Syafiq Yusof
Starring Zul Ariffin, Syafiq Kyle, Datuk Aaron Aziz, Azira Shafinaz, Elizabeth Tan, Shaharuddin Thamby, Kodi Rasheed, Hazama Azmi
Duration: 124 minutes
Rating: PG18
