TIME FOR ACTION!

Check out highlights and behind-the-scenes shots of Jack Neo's latest movie Ah Boys to Men.

It was a chilling sight: Rubble, debris and dead bodies littered Robinson Road, turning the Central Business District into a war zone.

As two Terrex Infantry Carrier Vehicles rumbled onto the scene and infantry soldiers from the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) moved out to comb the vicinity, a fierce firefight ensued. Gunfire and explosions rocked the area as troops engaged the enemy.

Exciting stuff, no doubt, but more than just providing some high-octane action to heat up the big screen, this battle scene conveys an important message.

Said director Mr Neo: "The role of the SAF is to defend the nation, but after so many years of peace, not everyone feels the necessity of going through National Service (NS) and all that training."

He added: "There are some people who may feel that NS is a waste of time, but if you were to witness a scene like this, and if we didn't have anyone to protect our country, what do you think would happen?"

Timed with the 45th anniversary of NS this year, Ah Boys to Men marks Singapore's first two-part local movie as well as the home-grown director's first military-themed film.

Featuring fresh talent such as medic specialist 3rd Sergeant (3SG) (NS) Joshua Tan, who plays main character Ken Chow, the movie centres on a young man's transformation as he goes through Basic Military Training. It also traces the evolution of NS through the years.

"Every generation of national servicemen has had its own experiences. A lot of people say that soldiers today have it easier, but...I think the training is very challenging. When I talk to the younger generation of servicemen, they tell me that it's still very tough," noted Mr Neo.

In preparation for the movie, a two-day training programme was conducted at Selarang Camp for 60-odd "recruits" to familiarise themselves with military life and the latest equipment used. The crew were also given access to film at places such as Pulau Tekong and Sembawang Air Base. Experts from the SAF were on site to provide guidance and ensure that training was portrayed realistically.

Fall in for Ah Boys to Men when the first part hits theatres on 8 Nov. The second instalment will be released around February 2013.

DID YOU KNOW?

3SG (NS) Joshua Tan went through BMT "twice"! The 18-year-old had just ORDed a week before filming at Pulau Tekong started!

3SG (NS) Tan underwent a similar situation as Ken Chow (the character he plays). In the movie, Ken's plans to study abroad together with his girlfriend are disrupted by his enlistment. Coincidentally, 3SG (NS) Tan was to join his girlfriend in Australia for overseas studies after his NS.

Popular bloggers Noah Yap, mrbrown and Qiu Qiu will be in the movie. Mr Yap plays Ken's fellow recruit, "big mouth" IP Man, while mrbrown and Qiu Qiu have cameos as an Army captain and Ken's girlfriend respectively.