RPG Metanoia

RPG Metanoia offers an imaginative dive into the world of online gaming, blending the excitement of virtual adventures with the warmth of Filipino culture. Nico, a shy kid who finds confidence in his Metanoia avatar, embarks on a thrilling quest when a dangerous virus threatens both the game and reality.

The film's animation is commendable for its time, with colorful visuals and an engaging game world. However, some parts of the story feel predictable, and the pacing could have been tighter. Despite this, the film excels in portraying the importance of friendship and teamwork, with a strong underlying message about balancing digital life with reality.

While it may not reach the level of international animated blockbusters, RPG Metanoia is an enjoyable and culturally meaningful watch, especially for those looking for a fresh take on the connection between gaming and real life.

This review is gonna be a biases but for a good reason! First of all I can totally relate to the characters and I watch this as a kid and I also do what other kids do play outside, this movie is very nostalgic to me I love this movie this will always be dear to my heart

"RPG Metanoia" stands out as the first full-length 3D animated feature from the Philippines, and it delivers a fresh, heartwarming story that connects both virtual and real-life experiences. The film follows Nico, a shy, reserved boy who finds confidence through the multiplayer role-playing game Metanoia, where he becomes a heroic warrior. However, when a mysterious virus threatens both the virtual world and reality, Nico and his friends must team up and bring their skills into the real world to save the day.

One of the film's strongest elements is its blend of action and Filipino culture. The game world is vividly designed, with unique avatars and exciting quests, but the film also shows how Nico's life is deeply rooted in Filipino values-family, friendship, and bayanihan (community spirit). The animation might not be on par with the likes of Pixar, but considering the film's budget and pioneering status in Filipino cinema, it's a commendable effort.

The film also touches on important messages for kids and families, such as the need to balance screen time with outdoor activities and face-to-face interactions. The way RPG Metanoia explores how virtual friendships and real-world teamwork can come together makes it both relevant and uplifting.

Though the pacing drags a bit in the middle, and the plot is somewhat predictable, the creativity in world-building and the overall heart of the story make it worth watching, especially for Filipino audiences or anyone interested in diverse animated films.

Overall, "RPG Metanoia" is a fun, nostalgic, and culturally rich adventure that offers valuable lessons for the digital age.

A montage sequence in RPG: Metanoia reminds one of the days when the erstwhile hi-tech Nintendo Entertainment System (aka the family computer) fell victim to frequent blackouts and kids of those days had nothing else to do but go outside and play patintero and other such games. Kids playing real games is a strange scenario in a movie that's supposed to embrace and capitalize on the popularity of the massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG). But it's a good thing, right? It may actually inspire the revival of Doctor Kwak-Kwak. Or maybe not.

It's actually this clever dichotomy done well that partly helps in making Metanoia become more than just the Philippines' first 3D-animated movie, moving sprightly between humorous scenes that involve an unnamed local barrio and a virtual world with pleasing visual styles. (Of course, if you're expecting something on par with Hollywood, screw you.) It also features adorable characters brought to life by vocal performances from Zaijan Jaranilla, Eugene Domingo, Aga Muhlach, and a few former Going' Bulilit tykes. Jaranilla voices Nico, an online-gaming geek who's never good in any real-life activity and chooses to dwell in the titular virtual world with his friends. As he puts it, it's the only thing he knows how to do well, so why not take it seriously? Things change when a malevolent program takes over the minds of virtual users, and render them in a zombie-like trance. It's up to Nico — Zero in Metanoia — and his gang of ragtag tweens to destroy the virus and save the world.

Metanoia engages with its inventive display of the local pop culture and surprisingly heart-tugging moments while not losing sight of its narrative. While it drowns in a wee bit too much mauling on believing in oneself (okay, we get it already) and the climax gets a bit preposterous, especially when it tries to explain the origin and mechanism of the virus, director Luis Suarez guides the film with a sure hand. It's an endearingly winning, creative piece of effort in a time when those qualities don't even seem to matter.

All I can say is, WOW! Amazing! A Quality Movie! The Kids Loved it! I Enjoyed it! I'll definitely buy the Original DVD once it comes out! This is will be a collectors item! I Highly recommend it parents who's kids are stuck in front of the computer! It's really worth the time watching it! More Power to the Makers of this Film, please, make more movies like this one! This is a history in the Philippine Movie Industry. The First Full Length CG Animated Filipino Movie! I'd like to see this movie again and again! The story is really outstanding! I loved the concept of the story. It's got a very excellent Moral Lesson. Take your kids to watch it. WOW!