Geng: The Adventure Begins
A Landmark Moment in Malaysian Animation
Introduction
Geng: The Adventure Begins (Geng: Pengembaraan Bermula), released in 2009, marked a turning point for Malaysian animation. It was the first full-length 3D animated film in Malaysia’s history. Directed by Mohd Nizam Abdul Razak and produced by Les’ Copaque Production, the film was part of an ambitious goal to create a “Malaysian answer” to animated hits like Shrek and The Incredibles.
The film blends adventure, comedy, and light horror elements within a village setting deeply rooted in local culture. Geng achieved significant commercial success in Malaysia, grossing over 6.3 million Malaysian ringgit on a budget of approximately 4 million. For several years, it remained the highest-grossing Malaysian film of its time. Below, we explore the making of the film, an in-depth analysis of its plot and characters, as well as critical reception and box office achievements.
1. The Making of the Film
Concept, Inspiration, and Funding
The Geng project emerged shortly after the founding of Les’ Copaque in late 2005. From the outset, the goal was innovative—to create Malaysia’s first feature-length 3D animated film capable of competing with Hollywood animation giants. In the early stages, the team faced a lack of experience and resources, spending nearly a year researching and refining animation techniques.
A short promotional teaser was created, which unexpectedly won three awards at a local short film competition in 2006. These early successes helped gain the trust of investors, including the Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC).
Significant funding also came from government agencies. The Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MOSTI) provided a grant of approximately 1 million ringgit, while the Ministry of Tourism contributed around 200,000 ringgit to promote the country through the film. Additionally, the high-tech organization MIMOS supported the project by offering computing power and consulting services. This level of support and recognition from the government underscored the potential of the project in elevating the local animation industry.
Production Process and Technology
Active development of Geng began in 2006 with the refinement of its characters and storyline. During this process, the mischievous twins Upin and Ipin were initially introduced as secondary characters but later became incredibly popular on their own.
The studio primarily recruited young graduates from local universities, particularly Multimedia University. For animation, the team selected Autodesk Maya, a software they were already familiar with from their academic training.
With the support of Maya experts, the team established an internal production pipeline within six months. The studio highlighted the software’s open architecture, which allowed them to develop various in-house tools for modeling, rigging, and rendering, significantly speeding up production. Typically, rendering a film of this scale would take about a year, but by utilizing MIMOS’ render farm and the Mental Ray engine, the rendering process was reduced to about four months.
A total of approximately 40 animators worked on Geng, and production was completed by September 2008—six months ahead of schedule. The budget was around 4–4.7 million MYR, significantly lower than its Western counterparts. Despite limited resources, the creators deliberately refused to compromise on the quality of visuals and sound. Years of dedicated work paid off: the film was delivered on time and within budget, a feat not always achieved in the industry.
The Role of Les’ Copaque and Its Impact on the Industry
Geng: The Adventure Begins was the debut project for Les’ Copaque Production, and its success instantly propelled the young studio to the forefront of Malaysia’s animation industry. The film was officially recognized in the Malaysian Book of Records as the country’s first full-length 3D animated feature.
After its premiere on February 12, 2009, the film grossed over 6.3 million ringgit in seven weeks, attracting more than 813,000 viewers to theaters. This made Geng the highest-grossing Malaysian film of 2009 and positioned it among the top-grossing local films in history.
2. Expanded Plot and Character Analysis
The events of Geng: The Adventure Begins take place in the fictional Malaysian village of Kampung Durian Runtuh. The main character, a teenager named Badrul, visits the village where he spent his childhood, accompanied by his city friend Lim. However, the peaceful life of the villagers is disrupted by mysterious nightly disturbances—someone has been stealing and devouring ripe durians from Badrul’s grandfather’s plantation. The villagers spread rumors about a forest monster called the “Durian Spirit.” No one dares to investigate until Badrul, Lim, and a group of local children encounter a mysterious creature firsthand.
The group includes mischievous twins Upin and Ipin, their older sister Kak Ros, and their small but brave neighbor Raju. Together, they form an improvised gang (“Geng” in Malay means “crew” or “gang”) to uncover the truth. They soon discover that the culprit is not a ghost but a small alien creature named Oopet, a lively and mischievous being from a parallel dimension.
However, a greater threat arises when local hunter Pak Mail and his accomplices capture Oopet’s mother—an enormous mystical beast—intending to sell it for profit.
In the film’s climax, the children embark on a daring rescue mission. They navigate the jungle, face unexpected dangers, and ultimately succeed in freeing Oopet’s mother, exposing the real villains. After their adventure, the six friends emerge stronger and officially name their group “Geng,” marking their unbreakable bond.
3. Critical Reception and Box Office Success
Critical Response
Geng: The Adventure Begins received largely positive reviews from both critics and audiences. Upon its pre-release screenings in January 2009, Malaysian film critics praised the film’s “multi-layered and meaningful screenplay” hidden beneath its entertaining exterior. They highlighted the “vibrant and well-developed characters” and lauded the impressive voice acting.
The film was also noted for its authentic representation of Malaysian culture, an aspect that set it apart from typical animated productions. Its blend of humor, action, and emotional depth was recognized as “one of the best-balanced storytelling approaches in Malaysian animation.”
Although Geng had limited international distribution, it was showcased at several film festivals where it gained appreciation from global audiences. At the International Children’s Film Festival in Indonesia, the film won the Audience Choice Award, confirming its cross-cultural appeal. The film was later released in Indonesia in approximately 50 cinemas and was even dubbed for an Indian theatrical release in Hindi and Tamil.
Online Ratings
Among general audiences, the film performed well on online platforms. On IMDb, Geng: The Adventure Begins holds a 6.8/10 rating, a solid score for a locally produced animated film. Viewers praised its entertaining nature, engaging characters, and high-quality animation. While the film does not have a Rotten Tomatoes critic score due to limited international reviews, it maintains a positive reputation on platforms like Letterboxd and TMDB.
Box Office Performance
In commercial terms, Geng: The Adventure Begins exceeded expectations. Prior to release, Les’ Copaque anticipated box office earnings in the range of 5–10 million MYR. The film ultimately grossed 6.31 million MYR, making it the first Malaysian animated film to fully recover its budget and turn a profit. According to the National Film Development Corporation (FINAS), it was the highest-grossing local film of 2009.
Due to high demand, cinemas extended its screening period beyond the usual local film quota, and it remained in theaters for eight weeks, benefiting from Malaysia’s school holiday season. The film’s DVD release in September 2009 also performed well, selling over 60,000 copies within the first two weeks.
The film’s success extended to television, with its premiere on Disney Channel Asia and TV9 Malaysia drawing approximately 2.45 million viewers, making it the most-watched TV program of the year on that network.
Conclusion
Geng: The Adventure Begins rightfully stands as a milestone in Malaysian animation. The film’s production story is an inspiring example of how a well-planned project, with government support and a passionate creative team, can push an industry forward.
By presenting an engaging and culturally rich story, Geng proved that local creators could produce high-quality animated films capable of captivating a broad audience. Its characters became household names, and its success laid the groundwork for future Malaysian animated projects, including the highly popular Upin & Ipin series.
The film not only “began an adventure” for its characters but also kickstarted a new era for Malaysia’s animation industry, paving the way for future growth and success.