Heneral Luna is a 2015 biographical and historical epic from Artikulo Uno Productions, under the direction of Jerrold Tarog, screenplay by Henry Francia, E. A. Rocha, and Jerrold Tarog; starring John Arcilla as General Antonio Luna, Arron Villaflor, Joem Bascon, Archie Alemania, Alex Medina, Art Acuña, Mon Confiado, Epy Quizon, Bing Pimentel, Paulo Avelino, Mylene Dizon, Alvin Anson, Nonie Buencamino, Lorenz Martinez, Leo Martinez, and Ketchup Eusebio. Did Heneral Luna live up to the expectations and hype built up by its official trailer? Check out the spoiler-free Pinoy Movie Blogger's review on Heneral Luna here.
Heneral Luna Movie Review
Heneral Luna (2015) Film Review
With so many historical figures who fought valiantly during a period in Philippine history when war seems to be the only plausible solution, one would initially think the local film industry would utilize such seemingly unlimited source material. Unfortunately, this is not the case. What the Filipino movie going audience is left with are a slew of "films" that uses the same old formulaic (cliche) format that only updates itself with the latest contemporary Philippine showbiz love team that or a film that insults the very intellect of the audience. That instead of prioritizing quality, well-produced, well-written, and thought-provoking films, we are left with the over-saturation of the same films those conditions the next generation to patronize such shallowness. But every now and then, someone or a group of individuals with a truly bright concept comes along and (somehow) surprisingly gets funded. From an excellent idea into an actual quality film; a film that treats the Filipino movie going audience with respect; a film that can provoke one's thoughts and can re-ignite a wick that was thought once died; a film like Heneral Luna.
Heneral Luna has generally great performance from the film's cast lead by John Arcilla who brought so much life and character to General Antonio Luna. Other supporting actors should not be forgotten as well mainly Mon Confiado portraying the highly controversial (in so many level) Emilio Aguinaldo; Epi Quizon as the neutral and helpless to some realities, Apolinario Mabini; Joem Bascon as Col. Paco Roman; Aaron Villaflor as Joven Hernando, Archie Alemania Capt. Eduardo Rusca, and Nonie Buencamino as Felipe Buencamino. There is that one memorable scnese that goes beyond rationality and logic. You will either love it or hate it; maybe even laugh at how ridiculous that supposedly tragic moment. A scene reminiscent of a particular scene in the Pedro Penduko 2000 film. Their performance is executed so well, that you end up loving and hating certain characters. Of course this is not possible without good direction, phasing, and script.
Heneral Luna has a well-written script. For a historical war film it sure has some surprising amount of humor; something that probably adds to the realism and charm of the film; realism in the sense that it reflects the tendencies of most Filipinos to find hope and happiness during times of great trials and tribulations. We are not included in the list of the happiest people in the world for nothing. Most Filipino soldiers do this to helped dampen the reality that odds are probably stacked against them, that fellow patriots are dying off like mosquitos around a mosquito lamp, and that the possibility that they may never live the next day to tell the tale. This is what is adapted by the film, that Filipinos can still crack a joke or two even during the Philippine-American War. Heneral Luna does not shy away from cursing or from using profanity. Well, if you are thrown in such a period you would not go all PG-13 or G (rating) to those who are not taking the effort in defending the motherland, to those foreigners who are conquering our country, to those traitors selling out the very country you are fighting for, to those killing your brothers in arms and raping your women. This not that historical television show for elementary school students and kids back in the 90's called ABS-CBN's Bayani, Heneral Luna is how a historically accurate (with some liberties) and educational film should be. I think profanity was placed in the right scenes, although the film could have added more or I could have think of a more insulting terms when film shifted to the scenes involving Americans. Like why not use "primitive brown monkeys" as during those times racism was still a thing, but that is a very minor nitpick.
Check out the Heneral Luna trailer, synopsis, and our initial impressions at Heneral Luna Trailer Impressions: Reintroducing General Antonio Luna Through A Gritty Biographical Historical Epic
Heneral Luna is well-shot and has good cinematography... generally speaking. Heneral Luna is not without its fault. There are mainly two scenes that I observed took me away from the film. The first one involves two scenes involving a shaky cameras and a long (dragging) continuous shot shifting from one location/scene to another which you'll know once you start getting dizzy as you reach that part of the film . Some memorable scenes in particular are a scene of Luna on the hill and that seemingly continuous flashback. Looking at the film’s behind the scenes, I was quite surprised that it used special visual effects that seems unnoticeable, and kudos to the special effects studio for pulling that off. Well until that shot with the running train and every time the scene involved barrels, which are simply just so fake-looking. These are some minor nitpick with the set designs and special effects but it does not detracts so much on what the film offers in general.
The Verdict for Heneral Luna (2015) Film
Artikulo Uno's and Jerrold Tarog's Heneral Luna is a well-written, well-directed, well-performed biographical and historical film that both entertains and educates the audiences. Heneral Luna tells a story that has long been forgotten by most of us (adults) who have seemingly forgotten other historical figures besides Rizal, Bonifacio, Mabini, Lapu-Lapu, etc; that what they fight for are seemingly trivial now that we have been enjoying the fruits of their sacrifices. Heneral Luna is a good film that personally has lit something deep inside me that I considered to have died a long time ago, a sense of nationalism and patriotism. Did it live up to the hype it builds from the trailer? The answer is a big YES.
Heneral Luna is worth the time, money, and effort. Pinoy Movie Blogger gives Heneral Luna (2015) an 8.5 out of 10 (8.5/10) film review rating. A film that is worth getting a copy with when it released in home video format (blu ray and DVD) and a film that makes you want read other historical figures or watch movies about them. This made me want to see the Bonifacio and Aguinaldo film, just to see as what they have to offer.
Heneral Luna Movie Review
Heneral Luna (2015) Film Review
With so many historical figures who fought valiantly during a period in Philippine history when war seems to be the only plausible solution, one would initially think the local film industry would utilize such seemingly unlimited source material. Unfortunately, this is not the case. What the Filipino movie going audience is left with are a slew of "films" that uses the same old formulaic (cliche) format that only updates itself with the latest contemporary Philippine showbiz love team that or a film that insults the very intellect of the audience. That instead of prioritizing quality, well-produced, well-written, and thought-provoking films, we are left with the over-saturation of the same films those conditions the next generation to patronize such shallowness. But every now and then, someone or a group of individuals with a truly bright concept comes along and (somehow) surprisingly gets funded. From an excellent idea into an actual quality film; a film that treats the Filipino movie going audience with respect; a film that can provoke one's thoughts and can re-ignite a wick that was thought once died; a film like Heneral Luna.
Heneral Luna has generally great performance from the film's cast lead by John Arcilla who brought so much life and character to General Antonio Luna. Other supporting actors should not be forgotten as well mainly Mon Confiado portraying the highly controversial (in so many level) Emilio Aguinaldo; Epi Quizon as the neutral and helpless to some realities, Apolinario Mabini; Joem Bascon as Col. Paco Roman; Aaron Villaflor as Joven Hernando, Archie Alemania Capt. Eduardo Rusca, and Nonie Buencamino as Felipe Buencamino. There is that one memorable scnese that goes beyond rationality and logic. You will either love it or hate it; maybe even laugh at how ridiculous that supposedly tragic moment. A scene reminiscent of a particular scene in the Pedro Penduko 2000 film. Their performance is executed so well, that you end up loving and hating certain characters. Of course this is not possible without good direction, phasing, and script.
Heneral Luna has a well-written script. For a historical war film it sure has some surprising amount of humor; something that probably adds to the realism and charm of the film; realism in the sense that it reflects the tendencies of most Filipinos to find hope and happiness during times of great trials and tribulations. We are not included in the list of the happiest people in the world for nothing. Most Filipino soldiers do this to helped dampen the reality that odds are probably stacked against them, that fellow patriots are dying off like mosquitos around a mosquito lamp, and that the possibility that they may never live the next day to tell the tale. This is what is adapted by the film, that Filipinos can still crack a joke or two even during the Philippine-American War. Heneral Luna does not shy away from cursing or from using profanity. Well, if you are thrown in such a period you would not go all PG-13 or G (rating) to those who are not taking the effort in defending the motherland, to those foreigners who are conquering our country, to those traitors selling out the very country you are fighting for, to those killing your brothers in arms and raping your women. This not that historical television show for elementary school students and kids back in the 90's called ABS-CBN's Bayani, Heneral Luna is how a historically accurate (with some liberties) and educational film should be. I think profanity was placed in the right scenes, although the film could have added more or I could have think of a more insulting terms when film shifted to the scenes involving Americans. Like why not use "primitive brown monkeys" as during those times racism was still a thing, but that is a very minor nitpick.
Check out the Heneral Luna trailer, synopsis, and our initial impressions at Heneral Luna Trailer Impressions: Reintroducing General Antonio Luna Through A Gritty Biographical Historical Epic
Heneral Luna is well-shot and has good cinematography... generally speaking. Heneral Luna is not without its fault. There are mainly two scenes that I observed took me away from the film. The first one involves two scenes involving a shaky cameras and a long (dragging) continuous shot shifting from one location/scene to another which you'll know once you start getting dizzy as you reach that part of the film . Some memorable scenes in particular are a scene of Luna on the hill and that seemingly continuous flashback. Looking at the film’s behind the scenes, I was quite surprised that it used special visual effects that seems unnoticeable, and kudos to the special effects studio for pulling that off. Well until that shot with the running train and every time the scene involved barrels, which are simply just so fake-looking. These are some minor nitpick with the set designs and special effects but it does not detracts so much on what the film offers in general.
The Verdict for Heneral Luna (2015) Film
Artikulo Uno's and Jerrold Tarog's Heneral Luna is a well-written, well-directed, well-performed biographical and historical film that both entertains and educates the audiences. Heneral Luna tells a story that has long been forgotten by most of us (adults) who have seemingly forgotten other historical figures besides Rizal, Bonifacio, Mabini, Lapu-Lapu, etc; that what they fight for are seemingly trivial now that we have been enjoying the fruits of their sacrifices. Heneral Luna is a good film that personally has lit something deep inside me that I considered to have died a long time ago, a sense of nationalism and patriotism. Did it live up to the hype it builds from the trailer? The answer is a big YES.
Heneral Luna is worth the time, money, and effort. Pinoy Movie Blogger gives Heneral Luna (2015) an 8.5 out of 10 (8.5/10) film review rating. A film that is worth getting a copy with when it released in home video format (blu ray and DVD) and a film that makes you want read other historical figures or watch movies about them. This made me want to see the Bonifacio and Aguinaldo film, just to see as what they have to offer.
