Why Philippine Cinema No Longer Makes As Much Action Films Like It Used To

The Decline of Action Film Creation in the Philippines: Why Philippine Cinema No Longer Make As Much Action Films Like It Used To

by Christopher Aquino, January 10, 2012.

There once was a time when action films are as many as the stars in the sky, but look at it its current state now. 2011 only has one action mainstream action film in the form of Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story. What could be the reason behind the dwindling life of the Philippine action film genre?

Fernando Poe, Jr., Eddie Garcia, Joseph Ejercito "Erap" Estrada, Ramon Revilla Sr., Robin Padilla, Ace Vergel, Jeric Raval, Lito Lapid, Rudy Fernandez, Philip Salvador, and Ramon "Bong" Revilla, Jr., are some of the most notable action stars that I personally grew up watching as a Filipino child. Sure every story can a rehashed or a minor deviation of another action film's plot, but one can obviously state that a Robin Padilla's story of a wrongfully accused ex-convict out for vengeance is completely different from the same plot starring the late Fernando Poe, Jr. Each as their signature acting amidst the similarities in concept. The Filipino Male movie going fans appreciate every film featuring their favorite action stars whom they can relate to. But if there was a market to the action film genre then what happened? Why has the action film genre slowly died out after the golden age of action films back in the 80's all the way up to the 90's?

The first, and probably the main reason is piracy. As time goes by, the very affordable cinema fee started to increase while the minimum wage of working class Filipinos remained the same. So what was left for hardcore action film fans on a tight budget? The most practical solution is to go buy or rent pirated copies of such action films. Piracy in general affected all film genre. Film making requires funds and a business, without money there can be no film. This reality is where piracy strike the hardest. It is only by late 2000 that the government and the Philippine entertainment industry cracked down on their fight with piracy, but unfortunately the action film genre didn't made it. Film companies and producers shifted their attention to other film genres mainly comedy, fantasy, horror and romance.

It can also be said that the action film genre has seemingly used up every possible scenario to make a unique action film. There is a limit on how many variant of a dedicated father out for vengeance for his murdered family or loved one can action films used, and action film fans and producers themselves might have gotten fed up with it. Not to mention, action film stars of the past have already retired, became politicians, ruined their lives with substance abuse, incarcerated, or just died. So whoelse is left to play as a new action hero? Almost every upcoming new male stars that the Philippine entertainment industry have given birth to have this goody good teenage image that completely goes against the macho image required for action films. What happens is that such shows (talent search and reality shows) dropouts and winners eventually are primed and stereotyped into various teenie bopper roles and eventually land a role in romantic films.

Times are changing, the Philippine cinema somewhat "evolved" in its views on the male macho image. The new macho male is warm, romantic, and witty still willing to fight for their one true love. In a way this is more closer to reality compared to over the top action film characters. Just imagine, how can one ma fight an army of armed thugs, talk about classic action film miraculous cliche. This can also be the reason why action films died out, not every actor has this grand action star aura on him. Not every celebrity can convincingly hold out a gun or deliver blow after blow of punches and look cool doing it. We can say that today's leading men are not action star material o has been so primed to be romantic stereotypes that it has become their curse, to be typecast into romantic or drama films, nothing more.

International (Hollywood) action films may also have a hand in the diminishing life of action films in the Philippines. I for one has this presupposition that since Hollywood already got the action film genre covered, then Filipino film companies and producers can set their focus on other film genres like comedy, fantasy, and adventure. Well that is just me . I can't completely say that the action film genre is really dead per se. Remnants of it can still be seen adventure, drama and fantasy films, but a full blown action films, that is what convinced me to make this post. I am not saying that action films is the best genre of film in the Philippines, but as a male movie goer who grew up with classics, I just felt left out and missed the action films, cheesy as they sometimes may seen. The Philippine movie industry has been so set on making romantic films after romantic films, which kind a left out the other film genre and film fans.

If ever does action films comes back to glory, and I believe Manila kingpin: the Asiong Salonga Story might be the first to lead this campaign, I would like to see a full feature quality action film that has a unique and compelling story. Good writing and acting and does reminds me of the golden age of action films. An intelligent action film done in a very tasteful manner where both male and female movie going audience can relate to and appreciate.