The original Warkop DKI comedies were called classics because of the high enthusiasm of the viewers, which has survived and forced major cinemas to show the troupe’s new movie on one to three additional screens during the evening when it was released on Thursday.

The new remake by Falcon Pictures, entitled Warkop DKI Reborn: Jangkrik Boss! Part 1, was based on the trio’s 1982 parody of American cop show ChiPs, in which Dono, Kasino and Indro played motorcycle patrol officers of a private security company called CHIPS, which stood for Cara Hebat Ikut-ikutan Penanggulangan Sosial and could be translated as meaning “A great way to jump on the bandwagon of solving social problems”.

Helmed by Anggy Umbara (the Comic 8 series, 3: Alif Lam Mim), the film script was co-written by Anggy, Andi “Awwe” Wijaya and Bene Dion Rajagukguk under the supervision of the only surviving Warkop DKI member, Indro.

It follows Dono (Abimana Aryasatya), Kasino (Vino G. Bastian) and Indro (Tora Sudiro) who are tasked to solve problems, but more often cause new ones. CHIPS boss (Ence Bagus) is infuriated by how they do their work and give them a new assignment.

The three are ordered to catch robbers who use motorcycles. They are to use the help of a female colleague from France, Sophie (Hannah Al Rasyid).

Those growing up with the Warkop DKI films must be familiar with the phrase “Jangkrik Boss” coined by Kasino to blackmail his boss after he caught him having an affair with a woman behind the bushes. It’s kind of difficult to understand why in the remake Kasino has to bring back the word “cricket” after he caught the boss alone in the office with a woman (Nikita Mirzani).

But there are new gags taken from recent viral memes of a family portrait on a biscuit tin or about female motorcyclists who are ignorant despite their reckless driving. Indro also appeared in the film playing the future Indro who gives advice to his younger version. The character is not so much helpful as annoying with his incoherent impersonation of Katy Perry and the Minions.

The cast members are decent, including the stand-up comedians. Kudos to Abimana and Vino for their extreme transformations and embodiments of the original characters! They are so precise, it takes time to remember the real look of the actors.

The visuals and music are enjoyable, although a question remains about the artistic choice of the 1980’s wardrobe the main cast wears in a modern setting.

If the purpose of the remake is to preserve the classic and not replacing the legendary trio with new personnel as stated in its hashtag promotion #MelestarikanBukanMenggantikan, then perhaps it’s missing the point.

In all of their 34 films from Mana Tahan (Can’t help it) in 1979 to Pencet Sana Pencet Sini (Press the button here and there) in 1994, the comedians used slapstick jokes and sensuality to wrap around their reviews of social issues anyone can relate to and laugh at.

It was public knowledge that the brain of the trio, Wahjoe “Dono” Sardono, was also a sociology lecturer at the University of Indonesia.

Triple trouble: Dono (Abimana Aryasatya), Kasino (Vino G. Bastian) and Indro (Tora Sudiro) play motorcycle patrol officers of a private security company called CHIPS in Warkop DKI Reborn: Jangkrik Boss! Part.1.

Jangkrik Boss! Part 1 is funny — with outtakes from behind the scenes at the end of the credits much funnier, so stay put. However, the remake fails to bring something new to the viewers other than recalling the memories of the original ones.

As the title suggested, there will be more to come. Hopefully, the next sequel will not be merely collections of museum artifacts but rather a reintroduction to Indonesia’s comical storytelling tradition as created by the legends.

— Photos courtesy of Falcon Pictures

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Warkop DKI Reborn: Jangkrik Boss! Part.1
(Falcon Pictures, 90 minutes)

Director: Anggy Umbara
Scriptwriter: Anggy Umbara, Andi ‘Awwe’ Wijaya, Bene Dion Rajagukguk
Cast: Abimana Aryasatya, Vino G. Bastian, Tora Sudiro, Indro Warkop, Hannah Al Rashid, Nikita Mirzani