"Valentine: The Dark Avenger" (2017) Review

Overview

The reviewer opens by complaining that modern superhero movies are mostly “junk,” then promises a refreshing change: Valentine: The Dark Avenger (2017), an Indonesian superhero action film rather than a Hollywood production.

Main Plot (Core Story)

• Batavia City is plagued by street crime despite seeming “upscale.”
• The heroine, Valentine, is introduced as a college dropout whose family is emotionally falling apart after their father—an admired cop—shoots himself following corruption accusations.
• A hopeful filmmaker-type, Bono, pitches a superhero concept meant to inspire people to fight crime. When people reject the idea, he decides to “sell it” differently:
  • find a real fighter,
  • put her in a costume,
  • record videos of her beating criminals,
  • and upload them to make Valentine a viral sensation.
• By chance, Bono witnesses a waitress being harassed and Valentine intervenes using silat (a martial art). He persuades her to join the stunt/project—though it turns out Bono’s plan has a secret agenda.
• As Valentine’s street-fighting gains attention, a bigger threat emerges: a new masked villain, the Shadow, operating with minions and controlling outcomes like a “low-rent Bane,” escalating tensions and even attacking the police department’s leadership.
• The climax forces Valentine to step up because the police can’t handle it, leading to the villain’s reveal of what he truly wants.

Highlights and Notable Bits

• Silat is a major selling point: the fights showcase strikes, joint locks, and weapons, giving the action a distinct identity compared to typical Western superhero choreography.
• Valentine’s character growth is praised:
  • she doesn’t begin as a perfect hero,
  • she gets hit, makes mistakes,
  • and her costume evolves with added gadgets, weapons, and even a motorbike.
• The reviewer compares Valentine’s premise to Arrow and The Flash, especially the recurring masked “mastermind” villain idea and a big reveal later.

Issues Noted

• Some CGI explosions during a car chase look wonky (not Hollywood-level, but mostly ignorable).
• A plot logic problem is flagged: the Shadow killing some “NPC cops” versus what he ultimately claims he wants.

Tone and Jokes / Reactions

• The reviewer repeatedly contrasts “scrappy” indie superhero energy against “Hollywood horse manure.”
• They joke about how YouTube promotion doesn’t work the way Bono thinks.
• The film receives a warm recommendation as a “change of pace” from generic superhero output, particularly referencing disappointment with Marvel’s later phase.

Ending / Overall Take

• The movie teases a sequel, but it never happens, which the reviewer calls a missed opportunity since Valentine seems like she had more story potential.
• Final verdict: 2.5/ paws—not at the level of major superhero classics, but still engaging, grounded, and action-focused.

Main Personalities in the Video (Mentioned)

• The reviewer / narrator (speaking on-camera throughout)
• Bono (character)
• Valentine / heroine
• The Shadow (villain)
• Matthew Settle (actor playing Bono/mentor figure, as cited by reviewer)
• Estelle Linden (actor playing Valentine, as cited by reviewer)