Heneral Luna

"Heneral Luna" tells us a more detailed account of the life of one of the revolutionary heroes we learn about in school, yet know practically nothing about -- Gen. Antonio Luna. Practically all we know about him is that he had a very bad temper which gained him a lot of enemies, eventually leading to his assassination. Aside from telling us specific situations where this legendary temper flared up, we also get to meet him more intimately as a leader, a soldier, as a son and as a man.

Even from his intense penetrating gaze and formidable mustache in the poster alone, you already know John Arcilla will be excellent in this film. His comic timing was impeccable. It was a most vibrant performance of a most vivid man, making him really loom larger than life. He was over-the-top in his explosiveness, just the way Tarog wanted him to be. The way he was built up, we were ready for that climactic assassination scene, however outrageous the savagery.

Mon Confiado was a picture of ironic calm as President Emilio Aguinaldo. The more movies we watch about the revolution certainly brings up more and more questions about the controversial Aguinaldo. Nonie Buencamino was so slimy as his treacherous surname-sake Felipe Buencamino. That nonchalant look on Lorenz Martinez face was so hateful as he essayed the role of the equally haughty Gen. Tomas Mascardo.

It was also such a casting risk and surprise to put known comedians in such key roles, like Epy Quizon as Apolinario Mabini, Leo Martinez as Pedro Paterno and Ketchup Eusebio as the vengeful Capt. Pedro Janolino. I must admit their presence can be distracting in certain dramatic moments, particularly Eusebio. Or maybe that was their purpose -- to balance out the severe seriousness of those scenes.

You immediately upfront that the filmmakers were aiming high for this film. The initial introductory texts were written in English, signifying intentions for this film to make the rounds of foreign film festivals. (I read that there were even certain reels with English subtitles shown in some more upscale cinemas.) The presence of disclaimers stating that this is a work of fiction inspired by fact could somehow raise an uneasy question as to how much fiction was in there mixed among the facts.

This film will also grab you with its gorgeous cinematography. The images on the big screen had such vivid colors and innovative camera angles. The period production design and the costume design were meticulous in detail. During a beautifully-edited flashback sequence, there was a stylized scene about Rizal's execution that was so uniquely and hauntingly rendered. There are most gruesome and graphic special effects showing the violent brutality of warfare which will shock you.

The historical storytelling was very clear, exciting and engaging from beginning to end, with a fresh graphic novel feel to it. Humor was such an unexpected yet integral element of the script, from those crisp off- color expletives of Luna to those sarcastic side comments of Lt. Rusca (Archie Alemania) and many more in between of different shades. The patriotic sentiments were very poetically-written, but the way they were delivered here felt sincere. They did not sound preachy or cheesy, like when such lines were mouthed by Robin Padilla in "Bonifacio" or Jeorge E.R. Ejército in "El Presidente".

Just like a Marvel film, there was an extra scene in the middle of the closing credits, suggesting a next film featuring Paulo Avelino as Gen. Gregorio del Pilar. There was also a brief cameo appearance of Benjamin Alves as a young Manuel L. Quezon, hinting at a possible trilogy. This is a very exciting plan indeed which we all hope will materialize given the success of "Heneral Luna".

I hear this is also under consideration of being submitted for Oscar consideration, and I support that campaign. The screening I caught today was a full-house despite being 1:30 in the afternoon on a weekday. It was really gratifying to see a quality Filipino film have commercial success even if it was not an inane comedy or "kilig" teen flick with box-office stars in the cast.

Kudos to Artikulo Uno Productions and director-film editor-musical scorer Jerrold Tarog for coming up with what may just be the best, certainly the most audacious, Filipino film released this year to date. Like Gen. Luna, this film leads a mad charge on horseback with a raised fist against Filipinos who say they love their country yet look out for their personal interests first. Let's hope this strong message hits its targets. 9/10.

I don't usually patronize historical movies/dramas as they could be biased depending on how the directors/writers/producers would like to portray the "heroes" in it, but HENERAL LUNA is different!

Hen. Antonio Luna wasn't portrayed as a mere hero without imperfections, but instead a human being who wasn't afraid to gain naysayers for the sake of Inang Bayan's "real" independence. You will admire him, hate him, disagree with him, sympathize with him...surely, these emotions are not enough to describe I how felt while watching the movie. John Arcilla, without a doubt gave life to Hen. Luna's character (all actors/actresses in the movie, actually).

Kudos to the director, Mr. Jerrold Tarog and everyone who made this masterpiece possible.

Watching this was worth every penny spent!!!

Antonio Luna was a man of turbulent complexity. Honorable, patriotic, dignified and principled he was at the same time arrogant and hot-tempered who did not hesitate to resort to violence. "Heneral Luna" is a well-done cinematic depiction of the man's life as a soldier as his country faced its greatest crisis yet witnessing the birth pains of its genesis as a nation after centuries of colonial rule. Veteran actor John Arcilla does a solid portrayal as the nationalistic and combative general who treads the murky and complicated paths of war and politics. Fine battle scenes and period uniforms add color and pageantry in this well-acted melodrama. Although Luna's youth could have been featured to give the film more fullness and completion what is shown is satisfactory. Watchable and entertaining, this is a showcase in the ongoing progress of Philippine cinema and a good tribute to one of its greatest and most compelling heroes.

Better late than never...

Heneral Luna opens claiming that this is a fictionalized biopic of one of Philippine's most important historical figures, Antonio Luna, for the sake of getting the modern audience into the history's bigger picture. In spite of being more intense and surprisingly humorous, the movie stays loyal to what this figure truly stands for. The war is brutal, over-the-top to bring up for visual flare, and their serious situations being often treated as sincere satires. How the film executed these ideas are just brilliant, it gets larger-than-life without feeling outlandish, towards the heart of defending the nation worth fighting for.

The film is all about justifying their quote about the real enemy of this war is themselves. Although we see warfare with both the Philippine and American army attacking each other, this battle is basically the secondary concern here. The real detail of this war is how many soldiers chickening out from the battlefield and some officials wanted to work with the Americans. But of course, their real goal is independence; the movie makes a punchline out of those who aren't helping out, those who are just running away and those who are just isn't fond of Luna's aggressiveness. The film doesn't glamorize the character of Luna, either. Though his intentions are right, his rage could get out of hand which puts most of them off. But that also indicate that winning this revolution deserves more discipline than what they got.

Back to the fact that this is taken a lot out of creative liberties, the movie fills this history with vast amount of sense of humor and violent panache. The violence is, again, over-the-top. At times it gets pretty symbolical, specifically the climax. The humor is clearly just satirizing to those characters who aren't being helpful and those who are afraid of facing Luna's rage once more. And when it's not trying to pull off any sense of levity, we just get to see the story flesh itself out more in the sidelines of its history and other characters.

The filmmaking is stunning, slick and stylish. The production looks pretty neat. The movie is paced nicely even at times it's layered to different events, but puts itself together consistently. The acting is beyond impressive; specifically John Arcilla as Antonio Luna. He brings a genuine humanity, and at the same time, a really compelling sense of madness, which terrifically lives up to the complexity of its subject. The supporting also lends real gravity and even delight on screen, but it's Arcilla's show and that's more than enough of a worth seeing performance through out.

Maybe some quibbles I could point out; maybe how the enemies are portrayed felt like they're written to be campy villains and maybe just one punchline in the film that felt like it belongs to a comedy skit. But again, these are quibbles and they can be debunked, even by myself. The former can be forgiven since they're technically not the main villains of this ordeal, while the latter is just a single scene and obviously designed to keep shaming the cowards at the battlefield. Anything else, there is so much to love in Heneral Luna. It's great, not only because it's humorous and visually interesting, but it's also a two-sided argument towards its history, not based on praising, but actually by criticism. Yes, this is a war movie that gets brutal, but the movie focuses on a meatier and more challenging side of the ordeal. And it pokes fun at some unwise decisions the people behind this war make, but what matters is the intention of its subject unable to die while he's still standing. Otherwise, it's just an ultimately entertaining film that exceeds expectations. Truly recommended.

Set in the war between Americans and Filipinos. The Americans are invading the Philippines until the Filipinos give up, this includes killing the lives of the innocent. The Philippine Government are conducting a plan while many want to negotiate for better profit. General Luna is there to stop the greed and focus and prioritize the state of the nation.

General Antonio Luna is infamous, mad, unafraid, furious and above all cares for his family, fellow-soldiers and country men. He will stop at nothing until he accomplish his mission of giving freedom to his country. He disciplines and trains the soldiers into making them independent and not some slackers or cowards within the war. He removes all the corrupted he can find. Inspiration is key and that's what he wants to show to all his soldiers.

In the end, the face of the real enemy is revealed. It's one of his own. Savagely killed by his own country-men. Showing No Mercy to a man who only wants what's better for the whole country.

I love the exposure shown to what the message was. It had many symbolisms and morals one might enjoy learning. John Arcilla really turns into the character he's portraying, he even looks like him. The effects use was really brutal, the sound was pretty great to and the cinematography had very beautiful shots and lightning in some scenes. The comedy present was a nice addition to the film and making it more entertaining to watch. The direction by Jerrold Tarog shines on how careful the actors give their performances. The script is rich with very detailed and fun lines of entertainment.

I will say that this film is not propaganda, it's not bragging of which country is better, it's does not promote blind nationalism. It's more on what's present and understandable with the value of claiming responsibility. It does not send you the message of "This film makes me shameful and filling me guilt you into liking it.". It's better if you understand your reflections.