Film Review: Beauty and the Beast

Because I grow up reading non-fiction books and   not so romantic novels (i.e Little Women at Mga Ibong Mandaragit), hindi masyado ma-appeal sa akin ang story ng Beauty and the Beast. But I am fascinated with Emma Watson (because of HarryPotter film series) and fantasy movies …so heto na nga ang late review ko.

I knew that Emma Watson really wanted to get this role so I was also thrilled that her dream came true. For me besides sa look, she's a good actress napabilib n’ya ako sa Harry Potter series and The Perks of Being a Wall Flower. In the latter film, she's able to erase in my mind that she's Hermione Granger and it's not because mature na ang role. Anyhow, as Belle, she's not too sweet or idealistic, sakto lang.

Story is not far from what we know. The last fairy tale adaptations na napanood ko were Beastly (yes other adaptation of Beauty and the Beast starring Vanessa Hudgens and Alex Pettyfer/ 2011), Red Riding Hood (Amanda Seyfried/ 2011), and Snow White and the Huntsman (Kristen Stewart/ 2012) so I guess nasanay ako na darker and maangas na ang mga bidang babae. Here in the Beauty and the Beast 2017 film, Belle's charactetr sticks with the original ...sa pagkakaalam ko.  In the movie she likes reading (and people hate her because of this), romantic stories, and to try some other things or go to other places.  

The Beast Prince.  I admit, I don’t know who Dan Stevens is and I am not attracted to his charm.  But I guess for other girls, he’s guapo.  He’s transformation na maging beast ay halatang computer generated but not  bad or distracting naman. At first, he looks giant monster pero thanks sa flow ng story, gumwapo s'ya sa paningin ko.   I believe, he’s heartwarming story is one of the edges of this movie.  Maganda  yung pag-establish ng kanyang charm kahit katakot ang fez. If I am Belle, baka kaibiganin ko s’ya like bff hohoho. The Beauty and her BFF Beast.

Supporting cast and characters. I like all the talking kasangkapan sa mansion ni Beast. Each one has colorful persona and whether popular or not yung voice actors, interesting pa rin for me. And surprisingly, I am familiar with some of them nung naibalik na yung human forms.  Una kong nakilala sina Mrs. Potts is Emma Thompson (Love Actually/ Stranger Than Fiction) and Ian McKellen ( Magneto of X Men Film Series) na gumanap na Cogsworth na naging mantel clock.  Though I know Ewan McGregor (Moulin Rouge!) and Stanley Tucci (Shall We Dance/Devil Wears Prada) , hindi ko sila na-recognize agad kasi sa kapal ng makeup, but  bilang Lumière na naging candelabra I know na sanay sa theatre acting ang boses nito.

As the main villain, Gaston, Luke Evans looks unnatural for me. I guess it’s because fresh pa sa isipan ko ang the Fast and the Furious and Dracula Untold.  He’s good sa 2 films na ito and of course, he didn’t sing there. But overall, he’s effective in irritating the audience and making Belle’s life so miserable.

As Belle, naibigay naman ni Emma Watson ang hinihingi ng role sa kanya and for me comfort zone n’ya ito.  So sa in a way, hindi masyado naiba sa kilala nating Hermione (minus yung kadaldalan n’ya) at Emma na studious. Pero aaminin ko, feel ko ang saya n'ya sa loob ng library ni Beast. Saya kaya ng ganun kadaming books.

Overall, this film is really designed for kids and recommendable naman.  Pero if you’re looking for something different like in the three movies I mentioned na adaptation from other fairy tales- waley.  Beastly is fit for teens and yuppies pa e. Pagdating sa effects and musical score, carry naman. Na-miss ko lang yung original version  ng  song nina  Celine Dion and Peabo Bryson pero okay naman yung rendition nina Ariana Grande at John Legend. 

Movie Review: Wonder Woman

If there’s one Hollywood movie that I’m so excited to watch this year, that’s Wonder Woman.  Personally I like superhero films (I collect original VCDs and DVDs) and action movies top billed by females such as Elektra (Jennifer Garner), Salt (Angelina Jolie), Charlie’s Angels, and So Close ( Asian movie). And of course, I am thrilled about Gal Gadot.

Who were Wonder Woman and Gal Gadot for me?

 I am aware na there’s a TV show before na wonder woman and she’s hot.   But siempre here in the Philippines, Darna is our Pinay superhero.  Whether which comes first or the copycat, basta I grow up with Darna.   Since I am introduced to Marvel Cinematic Universe and DC Comics, siempre I am thrilled to see how they gonna make Wonder Woman in modern times. Ang trip ko din sa DC ay darker and realistic approach, although I noticed na  parang robotics yung pagka-landing ng mga superhero. Iyon ay Either not so smooth, too artificial, or  di lang ako sanay.   Enter Gal Gadot!

Once ko palang s'ya napanood sa The Fast and the Furious ( yun namatay ang character n'ya roon at buhay pa sa Paul Walker). I like her doon, she’s thin but strong and oozing with  appeal. Iyon lang, compare to other  seksi superheroes whether sa comics or movies, it was hard to imagine how she gonna be a wonder woman. But I believe, she can do it and I like the idea pa nga ng ganun.  Tipong Surprise us with your transformation and interpretation.  Aanhin mo naman kasi kung seksi kung hindi naman makapag-deliver.   So from the start, I believe in her and the people who chose her to be the famous powerful amazona disguised as Diana Prince. 

Credit: Warner Bros.

Review:  The bad sides of Wonder Woman

I don’t have many concerns sa movie. Mas concern pa nga ako naka-3D glass ako kasi dahil may mannerism ako when I watch ( patagilid tumingin at nakahawak sa sintido).  Pero yun lang,  sa visual effects especially  sa pag-landing at pagtalon, halata na artificial. It as if I am watching animated character.    

Then sa story, since this is my first time to know Wonder Woman talaga kaya go go go  at may pagka-mythical pala s’ya (not alien like  Superman) at demigoddess  na umibig sa taga lupa (sounds like Okay Ka Fairy ko). Kaya doon tayo sa flow ng story… I’m sort of disoriented when Sir Patrick Morgan morphed as Ares ( god of war).   I like how tricky it was to know who’s Ares among the villains but it’s not really hard to guess that.  I think in the fighting scenes na nila ako na parang “what this?” Not so smooth na cut-to-cut ng fighting scenes, napaka-artificial at gulong-gulong ang lola mo sa buhay.  Parang ano ba girl, give up na lang sa semento. Parang mas interesado pa ako  sa side ni Steve Trevor’nung ipinalipad n'ya na yung eroplano.  Yun lang!   So konti sa effects at editing.

The Good sides of  Wonder Woman

Madami for me.

Gal Gadot is impressive. Acting wise and in fighting scenes, she’s good.  Hindi mo kakikitaan na mahina at pa-demure na obvious na makaporma lang.   Hindi rin naman to the point na manly na tingnan  (inaalala ko pa saan ko napanood yun pero meron), kundi palaban lang at inosente sa ano ba dapat ang galaw baabe. Yung sa trailer na kung saan nasa isang room na pinalo s'ya ng tubo,  wow na wow ako roon.  I don’t care kung mix pa yun ng totoo or effects, pero yung acting at move n'ya roon just wow!

Steve Trevor. Napanood ko na si Chris Pines sa  This Means War at pa-tweetums s’ya doon though  guapo na. Pero dito, I thought eye candy s'ya bilang si Steve Trevor  noong una, pero hindi rin. Maganda character niya bilang love interest, hindi over at under na masyado na s'yang na-overshadow ni Diana Prince.  At the end of the day, he proves that “love” is something powerful. Kahit pa hindi pa ito ideal o kahit sino pa ang nagbigay nito.  It’s what you believe di ba, not what you deserved.  Charr!

 Other characters.  Okay naman ang supporting cast like Connie Nielsen (Queen Hippolyta), Danny Huston ( General Erich Ludendorf), Lucy Davis as Etta Candy, and Elena Anaya (Isabel Maru / Doctor Poison).  Parang nakulangan lang ako ng konti kay Dr. Poison, gusto ko mas pathetic pa buhay n’ya buhahaha!

Costumes. I like all the costumes of Diana Prince/ Wonder Woman!  Gusto ko yung naka-sunglasses sya at naka-hat, then siempre yung arrive nya na umaakyat sa hagdan.

All in all nagustuhan ko ang Wonder Woman at mukhang may aabangan na naman ako film series.