Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles is a 2012 Filipino horror-comedy film produced by GMA Films, Reality Entertainment, and Agosto Dos, under the direction of Erik Matti starring Dingdong Dantes, Lovi Poe, Joey Marquez, Janice De Belen, Ramon Bautista, Roi Vinzon, LJ Reyes, Mike Gayoso, and Rina Reyes. Does this horror film shot entirely in green screen meet the hype that it established? Check out our spoiler-free Pinoy Movie Blogger's review on Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles.
Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles
Synopsis
Makoy (Dingdong Dantes) will do whatever it takes to get back his girlfriend Sonia (Lovi Poe), who's pregnant with their child. Macoy made the long trip to Sonia's hometown in the province but got immediately rejected by Sonia's mother Fely (Janice De Belen). Makoy has never been one to give up. With the help of Sonia's father Nestor (Joey Marquez) and his ever-dependable helper Bart (Ramon Bautista), Makoy stays in town to surprise Sonia on her birthday. Unfortunately, Makoy gets into trouble with a group of weird townsfolk who to little did they know are the dreaded Philippine folkloric monster the "tiktik"(s). As soon as they overhear that Macoy's wife is pregnant these weird townsfolk got literally hungry for revenge. Will Makoy finally get his act together, protect Sonia and their baby, and once and for all prove himself worthy of their love? Not only that but can they all survive the ruthless attack of these man eating monsters?
Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles Movie Review
Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles (2012) Film Review
The "aswang" is one of the most used horror icon in Philippine cinema. As someone who grew up and favoring horror films, I can say that I've mostly seen them all. So what is left for there to do with the aswangs? The answer a modern take on the traditional Aswangs.
Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles has so much hyped built into it. I can say that this horror film from GMA Films is successful in generating buzz in both online and traditional scene which transcended to actual ticket or box office sales. Filipino produced films specially under the horror genre are not specifically known for quality when it comes to computer generated special effects, so I can't be blamed for initially being skeptical about this film. I have this vision... a feeling if you must say that "Filipino films can still do it!" or "they can pull off the same effect that most quality Hollywood films has done" is what kicked in and the reason why I succumbed to the hype created by Tiktik: the Aswang Chronicles. I said to myself "I will watch this second Aswang film. It must not be as bad as Corazon. I hope I am not wrong this time". So did it lived up to its hype?
Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles has so much hyped built into it. I can say that this horror film from GMA Films is successful in generating buzz in both online and traditional scene which transcended to actual ticket or box office sales. Filipino produced films specially under the horror genre are not specifically known for quality when it comes to computer generated special effects, so I can't be blamed for initially being skeptical about this film. I have this vision... a feeling if you must say that "Filipino films can still do it!" or "they can pull off the same effect that most quality Hollywood films has done" is what kicked in and the reason why I succumbed to the hype created by Tiktik: the Aswang Chronicles. I said to myself "I will watch this second Aswang film. It must not be as bad as Corazon. I hope I am not wrong this time". So did it lived up to its hype?
Right from the start, I think I know I was expecting but still gave it a try. Tiktik has that same old usual storyline and a below to average CG effects. There were times when the aswangs both on their human and monstrous forms looks somehow real, but mostly they look really amateur seen only from television fantasy-themed soaps. The fact that it also throws logic out of the window by making these monsters instantly combust ala "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" vampires turn to dust at the mere exposure or when attacked by the items that they are weak to is another reason why I stopped taking the film seriously. The fact that the whole film was shot mostly in green screen could be also be the reason why it mostly took me out of the scenes in the film. It activated that "spot the lame special effects" reflex I have when watching films. It was probably my film critic instincts but I eventually set it aside once I started accepting these known factors. Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles was not a straight on horror film, well not what I was expecting anyways. Tiktik was more of a comedy than a horror. Tiktik used a mixed of some atmospheric background music and modern rock music.
While the film was not the finest example of what a Filipino special effects studio can do, Tiktik made up for the performance and witty script it used. The performance of the actors were decent and entertaining. Joey Marquez and Ramon Bautista took the theater by storm with their hilarious moments in the film. I usually have this deductive reflex when watching movies and if they follow that personal deduction down to a tooth, then the film receives an automatic deduction for being "that" predictable. There was this one scene foreshadowing Ramon Bautista's character Bart which made me think of what he was, but as the film went on the film proved me wrong. Thus, one point for Slitherin, I mean Tiktik! The exposition as to why Bart was like (or looks like) that brought a smile to my face. Also most of the scenes with Ramon, Joey and Dingdong were mostly entertaining. The end didn't also make much sense. The final confrontation might have ended faster only if they utilized what they had at that moment, but NOOOooo they have to proceed with that "epic" finish where I also spot the green on the film's green screen. Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles decided to go over the top with logic that blurred logic and made it entertaining amidst ethe flaws of the visual effects technology it used that ranged from a subpar to a decent level.
Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles (2012) Official Theatrical Movie Trailer
The Verdict for Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles (2012) Film
Tiktik: the Aswang Chronicles is not a straight on horror film that a horror film fan is looking for, but a good mix of comedy and suspense. One of the criteria for a horror film to be good is the believability and it being grounded to reality that Tiktik disregard in some ways to give way to a more entertaining take on a theme that has been used over and over in Philippine horror cinema. Tiktik has more laughs than creep out moments. It pays tribute to the classic Filipino horror films which originally have way more sinister plot and believable gorey practical effects than what Tiktik had with its green screen special effects. Do yourself a favor and watch Tiktik: the Aswang Chronicles while it is still in theaters or if you missed it out, then grab the film with various special features that goes with it when it gets release on home video format in the near future.
Pinoy Movie Blogger gives Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles (2012) a 7 out of 10 (7/10) film review rating.
Pinoy Movie Blogger gives Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles (2012) a 7 out of 10 (7/10) film review rating.