Darna

The premise of the show during its production hinted at what could be a more serious or darker tone compared to DCEU or MCU, the excitement it held upon advertisement was overwhelming and brought some semblence of a new modernistic take on Darna

But boy was I wrong, TOO WRONG. The uncanny valley of where this show wants to show people is inconsistent as seen in numerous episodes, sometimes it feels like a sitcom. Including the countless continuity errors throughout the entire show from the start

The show played itself too safe and too generic, there is no risk involved, producing one joke of a clichè.

I don't this this is great app for me to run too I honestly thought that I would be able to enjoy each and every episode of this series but then I've come to realize that I cannot even watch a single episode now is this platform for only trailers or it's only me who doesn't know what to do because I honestly searched thinking everything will be found but only to find that it's just a trailer which has annoyed me. To the extent of thinking that I may even delete the app for good since it no longer nice for me to use it anyway if that's how you sort out your things you had me really but then I qu.

The message that we don't need superpowers to be heroes or villains makes this version outstand.

Darna has been my beloved childhood superhero since Angel Locsin and Marian Rivera. This 2022 series is entertaining as well - I will miss it. However, as a cinephile adult, I had a cycle of ups and downs in my experience. Let me analyze:

1. The Visual Effects

The only decent CGI here is the head snakes of Valentina (not the talking ones lol) - especially during close-ups. The snakes look more alive like in the style of the recent Medusas in Hollywood.

However, the rest of the effects are disastrous but still a significant improvement over the Phil shows in the 2000s. The show painfully struggled to produce a sci-fi fantasy under an inadequate time and budget.

2. The Cinematography & Action Scenes

If the show only had good cinematography, the cheap visual effects could have been forgivable. The camera shots during action scenes lack creativity. I wished they took inspiration from the intense/scary scenes from Resident Evil & X-men films. The show is more capable of doing drama than taking risks by leaving us with iconic battle scenes.

Jane de Leon had the most badass Darna transformation. Sadly, they didn't show a lot of the stone-swallowing scenes which are supposed to be a thrilling part during invasions.

3. The Editing

The editing is problematic with its awful transitions, an overdose of flashbacks and slow-mos, poor green screen effects, and needless recycling of scenes.

4. The Characterizations

The show boasts powerful performances coming from Regina, Robles, Noah, and Mayor Zaldy. The version of Valentina here turned into a very important character.

The minor characters still have the disease of campy/theatrical acting.

5. The Writing and Themes

These are the best elements of the series. The motivations, the antithesis/parallels/irony, and the complexity of the events/characters are well-written. It is just the rushed and lackluster executions that ruined the revelations.

The show provides effective messages of empowerment and unity, relevant allegory, and social and political commentary.

6. The Costumes/Wardrobe

Jane de Leon's costume has the best Darna design ever. And her eyes are just the most striking of all.

However, as compared to the earlier versions, this show has the lamest villain costumes and powers. No one of them is intimidating except Valentina.

Final Word: Darna deserves an expensive movie - it could become our first decent Filipino superhero film if ever. #Unitethe3Darnas.

Season 1 CGI was unrealistic and poor but I can notice that It improved in season 2. They keep making the story a loop, Valentina kills people to be more powerful, attacks Darna, Valentina gets hurt and escape and kills more people to attack Darna again but yet gets defeated and escapes once again.

I feel like their disrespecting the show and the characters because of the random storyline. It was poorly written and directed. Everytime Darna fights, it's always slo-mo. Did she even practice fighting BTS? All she does is punch, kick and use her powers she only focus on her poses. Darna also lacks common sense.

An inconsistent reason is when Darna steps on Valentina's snakes to hurt her but when polices shoot the snakes, Valentina doesn't get hurt? This makes no sense. Burgo is said to be a very powerful alien leader but with only 1 solidier (ishna)? There are too much extras, it's very unrealistic and unessesary.

A major problem is, the show copies American TV shows.

This one- specifically DC's STARGIRL.

The most obvious is their copying of Cindy Berman from Stargirl. From the characters demeanour to her hair and make-up.

I only watched one episode of Darna; and even the dialogues are similar to that of Stargirl.

I am disgusted. Mars Ravelo should know his name is being dragged down by hack writers who do not have the imagination to create a screenplay that's worthy of acclaim.

I don't have faith in GMA writers. They're in it for the money. They have been doing this for a long time!!!

I hope people realise that.