Encantadia

Encantadia is one of the best telefantasyas that I have seen my entire life!!! It is very unique from other Filipino fantasy films like Darna or Panday and kampanerang kuba!!!!!!!!!!!1 The story is very unpredictable and is very very interesting!!! It really go me hooked up and made me want to watch in night after night and made me hate weekends! All the time, i will think of it even in my dreams i see it... It is addicting!!! Unlike Panday and Kampanerang kuba from ABSCBN, though it is very unrealistic, people like me can connect to the story. Well, most of the time it makes me want to be an encantada and live in another world. It really rocks...

Encantadia is the only local TV show that got me hooked! Since it's airing -- the show earned good reviews. This is the only show i know (as reported by agb and other independent stat agencies) that got the ab and c crowd (the elite and educated pinoy crowd)interested (before enca.. they do NOT watch tagalog movies or TV). No wonder Encantadia is NOW the number show in the Phil! It's understandable. Enca has a good storyline or premise (Not a ripped of LOTR, mind you. jeesh-- where'd u get that?). Great characters(tough, highly principled women/sang'gre's, they show greatlove for their kingdom). It's fast paced storytelling and plot twist are very very unpredictable. Though it's fx needs improvement but who cares?

We watch encantadia because it brings out the child in us (the sense of magic and wonderment)-- and THAT's what FANTASY is all about!

Encantadia's story is fueled by the rich folklore of the Filipino people about fairies and deities that lives in the forest. This kind of story has been told for generations to Filipino children by their lolo's (grandfather's) and lola's (grandmother) right before they sleep at night which fueled their imaginations about kingdoms of fairies and demi-gods that according to the old folks,lived long ago..before man set foot to our lands Although one might say that it is a rip-off of LOTR, but in my point of view, in order to make a good "tele fantasia" or a soap, you must benchmark with the best in the field, like LOTR and other movies. GMA really put their best into this because if you watch this soap, you will see the intricate design of their costumes.The design is very Filipino and one might imagine if these were like the costumes and dresses they use (if they are real). Although the CGI is not that good, but it is an improvement, a great improvement from the fantasy movies here in the Philippines before where you can see the lines that hold the actors and stuff like the actors more looked liked they are literally pasted on the background.

No wonder this soap is said to be the no.1 watched soap in the Philippines. because it really captures the imagination of Filipinos, adults or children. It poses the question "what if they are real?" "what if there really are fairies living among us?". It captures the mind of the Filipino viewers who has a great culture and heritage

My FINAL thoughts about this series....

First, I'm not a big "Telefantasya" but I give the writers, directors, actors, and the entire staff for bringing this in Philippine TV. I don't expect this show to be original in terms of concept co'z the fact the matter is every single tale or story can inevitably crosses path in terms of similarities and coincidence. Encantadia is not great but not bad. The main goal of the producers are to entertain the majority. We all know how bad the situation in the Philippines right now, politically and economically. Obviously it's about ratings and exploiting (I mean in a good way) their actors to fame.

Second, Encantadia revolves around the four elements and the four Sangres. Their battle against the forces of evil. It sounds typical and yeah...predictable but at the end day what do you expect from Telefantasya stories...nothing. The actors and their chemistry are tolerable. Though, Sunshine Dizon is the one for me that really stands out the most. I like this show because this time the women are kicking as*. It's not the same old, traditional premise, like men saving the world.

Third, the ending was little dry. They could have done better with the battle scenes but I guess it was reasonable in a sense of anticipation of Encantadia's prequel Etheria.

Fourth, I appreciate GMA7 (TV network produces this series) for everything. They stick with their homegrown writers, um, giving them jobs, trusting them, rather not depending on foreign concepts just to produce innovative television.

And lastly, the theme song is pretty good.

I guess GMA just don't want to stop. From the crap Mulawin, wrentched Darna and now, here's Encantadia. There is obviously no story line in this TV series, the acting was still dumb, lousy special effects and oh, a copy of Casshern and the dumb DEVILMAN. This TV series will only waste your time. There is some good points in this, cause it has Iza Calzado. She manages her emotions, like her award winning performance in The Echo. Still, a big waste of time. Whoever taught that a un-talented Karylle will be one of the leads is out of his mind. Actually,the only makes this series bad is because it has no premise, like it has no storyline. It's really a bad attempt.

Will GMA ever produce great TV series someday?

1/10 stars