Arisaka

The first Phillipino film I've seen and one of the best films I've ever seen. A gripping story with great music and fascinating themes such as rampant police corruption, indigenous rights, and WW2 history.

I came in with no expectations other than it seemed to be a Philippine film which made my expectations low going in and anticipating a quick click off but Arisaka takes off from the git-go, tension build and then all hell breaks out. This is an exceptional film. Good dialog, strong acting and great film work.

Maja Salvador is one hell of an actor. Imagine a female Jack Reacher from Makati? Subtitled but with a combination Pigeon English and Tagalog I imagine, which meant I could easily read the scenes without the subtitles.

Absolutely loved Arisaka.

Mikhail Red's offering in Arisaka can be chalked up as an almost cooked thriller that revels more in its chattiness and pacing issues and less in its potential. It's a piece that wants you to be invested in its gritty atmosphere and historical roots but somehow misses its mark some 30 minutes into the flick.

My main beef with its narrative is the failed use of characters. The main villain, played by Mon Confiado, could've been this cold, stoic assassin. Instead, he's the talkative sort-a trait that cost him and his "cop friends" better dynamics and more interesting scenes.

Speaking of his conspiring police buds, their air time was mostly wasted listening to the "I have a point, trust me" stories of Mon's character. I mean, they could've split up and hunted Mariano (the lead character played by Maja Salvador), but instead, they took in the forest ambiance a bit too much and let the convenience of the movie's direction carry them along.

It's good, however, that Maja Salvador played her part really well. Between her and Mon, she had the more believable scenes (although I think the cheesiness of Mon's script was to blame here). After seeing her role here, I can see her as a badass Eveline Salt but more grounded.

I also want to commend the people behind Arisaka's visual effects. Without spoiling anything, let's just say that they did a fantastic job with the eye-candy (although bloody) in the latter half of the movie.

In the end, Arisaka could have been so much more. It had its glimpses of greatness-from the superb acting of Maja to the grittiness and moodiness of certain scenes-but ultimately, the movie's ambition wasn't fully realized. Its elements, particularly the should-be thrilling ones, didn't come together for me when all was said and done.

Some scenes and lines in Arisaka felt unnecessary, contributing to pacing issues throughout the film. However, the lead actress' captivating performance keeps you riveted, skillfully balancing vulnerability and strength, making her character relatable. In contrast, the performances of the corrupt cops felt clichéd, and the Aeta extras could have used better direction, although the Aeta child delivered a strong supporting role.

The film excels in visual storytelling, showcasing superb cinematography and production design that enhance the atmosphere and tension, along with impressive use of prosthetics and visual effects. The dream/hallucination sequence involving Japanese soldiers seems like a nod to the director's father, acclaimed director Raymond Red, but ultimately feels superfluous.

In a landscape dominated by Hollywood and K-dramas, Mikhail Red and Paul Soriano stand out for the Pinoy Netflix generation, bringing fresh and bold ideas. Their work echoes the impact of A24 films abroad, showcasing the depth of Filipino storytelling and opening doors for a new wave of cinema that connects with audiences both locally and globally.

Reminiscent of the Hong Kong action movies of the 80s and 90s, although the gunfights aren't as "balletic". Incredible cinematography. Every scene looks amazing. Well acted all around, even if the characters are a bit one dimensional, they are still characters you will love and love to hate. I did have some issues with it but in face of how good it is, I can easily overlook those issues. Great effects (though they are graphic). Guessing it had a sizable budget. Hope to see more of Shella Mae Romualdo in the future. Fell in love with her right away. It was great to indigenous Filipino representation.