Pinoy Buzz: Viva Films

‘Ang Panday’ Movie Review: A Modern Spin On The Iconic Filipino Superhero

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><i>*MINOR Spoilers Ahead*</i><br /><br />Continuing the lore of one of the Philippines’ most celebrated superhero icons, Coco Martin takes over the mantle as the newest wielder of the mystical sword, and technically the next in the the original Panday’s bloodline to use the weapon, Flavio III.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH3ON-wRwHh5B3uTerKnFH-HblWw4n8XOJY80M_Rp-Q1kXmt8znlu2Mm3687bk8is6bf8wbK8DvVm2pSUgBOmPiE2RwGqGkHVYTxajIM2U969FZfQlHYETRenHmIFSsXrNIKyrFzjRsMz0/s1600/ang-panday-coco-martin.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Coco Martin as the titular character in ‘Ang Panday’/Star Cinema" border="0" class="img" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH3ON-wRwHh5B3uTerKnFH-HblWw4n8XOJY80M_Rp-Q1kXmt8znlu2Mm3687bk8is6bf8wbK8DvVm2pSUgBOmPiE2RwGqGkHVYTxajIM2U969FZfQlHYETRenHmIFSsXrNIKyrFzjRsMz0/s1600/ang-panday-coco-martin.jpg" title="Coco Martin as the titular character in ‘Ang Panday’/Star Cinema" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coco Martin as the titular character in ‘Ang Panday’/Star Cinema</td></tr></tbody></table><br />'Ang Panday' puts a spin on the tale by presenting the popular actor as the third in bloodline to possess the weapon that will be useful in defeating arch enemy, Lizardo, played by Jake Cuenca.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC1O4M1AwWwgIUajsTg3oDdb54IKCUnIhBcXS8xfvjWIHu6l2XZkC7mqDY0NlQXpOxKnDXulFYQul1lgJ4ZTX0KQuBBO5URXZObQl0v17-HDwikIbCgC4lCaRA1LlMM_9xFtsiKqKXfPGE/s1600/ang-panday-coco-martin-jake-cuenca.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Jake Cuenca as the new Lizardo in ‘Ang Panday’/Star Cinema" border="0" class="img" data-original-height="633" data-original-width="950" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC1O4M1AwWwgIUajsTg3oDdb54IKCUnIhBcXS8xfvjWIHu6l2XZkC7mqDY0NlQXpOxKnDXulFYQul1lgJ4ZTX0KQuBBO5URXZObQl0v17-HDwikIbCgC4lCaRA1LlMM_9xFtsiKqKXfPGE/s1600/ang-panday-coco-martin-jake-cuenca.jpg" title="Jake Cuenca as the new Lizardo in ‘Ang Panday’/Star Cinema" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jake Cuenca as the new Lizardo in ‘Ang Panday’/Star Cinema</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Given that we have seen multiple iterations of the character already -- be it on the big or small screen, it’s difficult to be intrigued by this new version of “Ang Panday.” The various incarnations of Flavio had been spun in numerous ways that sometimes, it is kind of a wonder why we keep on rebooting the film in a way that seems to just be a one and done thing. Despite this, everyone can agree that the quintessential form of the Pinoy superhero remains to be Fernando Poe Jr.’s 1980 outing, and given Martin’s career trajectory seemingly trying to emulate “The King’s,” it makes sense that he gets a crack at one of his most iconic roles. Not just in terms of embodying the role, but also directing himself, just like Poe Jr. back in his day.<br /><div id="unruly-unit"></div><br />The best thing, however, that director Martin did with his version of “Ang Panday” is to put a contemporary flavor to it. Retreading the same story from the same origins story feels too redundant at this point. Presenting the new narrative as a continuation of the longstanding story opens up the lore in a way that the film does not film boxed by what its predecessors have set. Further, it gives the movie the ability to carve its own place in the string of “Ang Panday” films over the years. <br /><br />Unfortunately, “Ang Panday” does not offer something new in terms of cinematic storytelling. The tropes are too cliched just wrapped in a new way. Cuenca’s performance was convincing but is hindered by uncompelling motivations, leaving his iteration no different than other versions of the antagonist bar the fact that he makes Lizardo more stylish, making him scary in a different way. Understandably, the film also gets campy at times, but it’s tolerable considering the kind of mystical story that it is telling.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWjxp8m-cSSbQXajTKSjD5A9s6eyde5QVLThSPEhuTBLqDG3pd3PNYghAi-0VYk8Ag7_QRIq7xR9_BuLoTacJVxpUjrK81TvGlXbqHE0eXKLvIRh6ZhCA2VJ8RfiwM5l6rtODj6RAwUqWa/s1600/ang-panday-coco-martin-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Coco Martin as the titular character in ‘Ang Panday’/Star Cinema" border="0" class="img" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWjxp8m-cSSbQXajTKSjD5A9s6eyde5QVLThSPEhuTBLqDG3pd3PNYghAi-0VYk8Ag7_QRIq7xR9_BuLoTacJVxpUjrK81TvGlXbqHE0eXKLvIRh6ZhCA2VJ8RfiwM5l6rtODj6RAwUqWa/s1600/ang-panday-coco-martin-2.jpg" title="Coco Martin as the titular character in ‘Ang Panday’/Star Cinema" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coco Martin as the titular character in ‘Ang Panday’/Star Cinema</td></tr></tbody></table><br />All in all, Coco Martin’s “Ang Panday” is decent retelling of the age-old story. The attempt to modernize the story for a new generation of fans is commendable, but it fails short in terms of fully executing the narrative. Nonetheless, if you want a thrilling action-adventure flick, there are enough interesting plot points that make it worth your while in the cinemas.<br /><br />“Ang Panday” is one of the eight films partaking in MMFF 2017. If this isn’t your type of holiday media entertainment, check out all the other movies and see which one tickles your fancy. <br /><br /><b>Watch full trailer of 'Ang Panday' | MMFF 2017:</b><br /><br /><center><div class="video-wrapper"><div style="height: 0; padding-bottom: 56.21%; position: relative;"><iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" gesture="media" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_reOR71wzJ4?ecver=2" style="height: 100%; left: 0; position: absolute; width: 100%;" width="100%"></iframe></div></div></center><br /><b>RELATED STORIES</b><br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="http://pinoybuzz.blogkorner.com/2017/12/mmff-2017-day-1-results-top-grossing-films-update.html" rel="nofollow">MMFF 2017 Day 1 results: Top grossing films update</a></li><li><a href="http://pinoybuzz.blogkorner.com/2017/11/video-metro-manila-festival-mmff-2017-official-trailers.html" rel="nofollow">WATCH: Metro Manila Festival (MMFF) 2017 eight official entries’ trailers</a></li></ul><b><br /></b> <b>— ALD, The Summit Express</b></div>

‘Ang Panday’ Movie Review: A Modern Spin On The Iconic Filipino Superhero

*MINOR Spoilers Ahead* Continuing the lore of one of the Philippines’ most celebrated superhero icons, Coco Martin takes over the mantle as ...

'The Amazing Praybeyt Benjamin' is now the highest grossing Filipino film of all time

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">MANILA, Philippines - Comedian Vice Ganda officially announced on Friday, January 16, 2015 that the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2014 entry "The Amazing Praybeyt Benjamin" sets new record as it is now the highest grossing Filipino film of all time.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhagRgxByM08inkI01GUZ9kZ7BZGE5JWmmSx-sAr15Ieql5q5-sgjGRUo61H3ou_qs9WcWmON22XGJJcmU_UuRUSEIpk3TLiyeEa9CD_Cgl8LYp_LKzkWNlXltYvHMbKa11RZHWS9hNpsSE/s1600/amazing_benjamin011615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="'The Amazing Praybeyt Benjamin' is now the highest grossing Filipino film of all time" border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhagRgxByM08inkI01GUZ9kZ7BZGE5JWmmSx-sAr15Ieql5q5-sgjGRUo61H3ou_qs9WcWmON22XGJJcmU_UuRUSEIpk3TLiyeEa9CD_Cgl8LYp_LKzkWNlXltYvHMbKa11RZHWS9hNpsSE/s1600/amazing_benjamin011615.jpg" title="'The Amazing Praybeyt Benjamin' is now the highest grossing Filipino film of all time" width="560" /></a></div><br /><br />The box-office star made the announcement on the noontime show 'It's Showtime' as he congratulated director Wenn Deramas, as well as Star Cinema and Viva Films, which co-produced the comedy film.<br /><br />Vice Ganda said that the sequel of the 2011 comedy flick "The Unkabogable Praybeyt Benjamin" attained new record on Thursday, January 15, which was declared a special non-working holiday in Metro Manila due Pope Francis visit.<br /><br />"Na break na ng 'The Amazing Praybeyt Benjamin' ang record ng 'Girl Boy Bakla Tomboy.' Ang saya!" the It's Showtime host said.<br /><br />"Girl, Boy, Bakla, Tomboy," a 2013 MMFF entry of Star Cinema and Viva Films, which also stars Vice Ganda has earned P436 million during its run in theaters.<br /><br />According to the new record, "The Amazing Praybeyt Benjamin" is now the top 4 highest grossing films that were released in the Philippines (including local and foreign films). It is next to "The Amazing Spider-Man 2" produced by Columbia Pictures which has raked in a total of P443 million last year. Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures' "Iron Man 3" holds the top spot with P625 million in 2013.<br /><br />"Yun 'yung nakakatuwa natatalo ko. Una yung 'Praybeyt Benjamin,' tinalo ng 'Sisterakas,' tapos tinalo ng 'Girl Boy,' tapos ngayon tinalo ng 'The Amazing Praybeyt Benjamin," he said.</div>

'The Amazing Praybeyt Benjamin' is now the highest grossing Filipino film of all time

MANILA, Philippines - Comedian Vice Ganda officially announced on Friday, January 16, 2015 that the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2014 e...