THE HENERAL LUNA MOVIE FREE

I thought that Epi Quizon was magnificent as Apolinario Mabini. He leaves that to the audience to decide. Yet I like how Tarog doesnвЂ™t exactly make out Mon ConfiadoвЂ™s Aguinaldo to be the power hungry leader many believe him to be following the deaths of Bonifacio and Luna at the hands of his men. When he shifts from that gruff exterior to a gentler person when around the ladies, he does it so well.ДЄs a child who keenly devoured anything and everything related to our Revolutionary War of Independence, I have strong feelings against Aguinaldo.

ItвЂ™s a large cast and most everyone is given proper time to flesh out their personalities.Д«ased on all the historical reports about Luna, John Arcilla captures the fiery officerвЂ™s personality perfectly. Remember the scene where Luna asks for a volunteer and a certain вЂњGarciaвЂќ stands up and makes his way close to the American lines where he takes some shots just to send a message that they arenвЂ™t as safe as theyвЂ™d like to think? Well, that Lieutenant Garcia in real life commanded LunaвЂ™s Black Guard and like the deadshot that he was so is the cast of Heneral Luna. What parent wants to bury their child? And it was made all the more poignant as LunaвЂ™s family life is briefly told in a beautifully executed flashback.

However, the impending doom as imparted by his mother, Laureana (and not his brother, Joaquin, in real life) makes it even more tragic. And throughout, there are subtle reminders. In fact, it is an incredible comparison that should leave you thinking that we have learned nothing. Whether it is a message or a sermon, it doesnвЂ™t come across as preaching. Remember that famous quote by Spanish philosopher George Santayana - вЂњThose who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.вЂќ A lot of the problems that plagued those early patriots still face us today. The manner of how Luna dissects the problems of the nascent republic resonate and touch a chord because they hold true even to this day. They were in the middle of a war after all.ДЄnd John Arcilla, in the titular role of Antonio Luna, delivers his lines with aplomb and never in that overacting manner that seems to come with Filipino films. For example, the train station scene was absolutely hilarious! But it never gets out of hand, never trivializes the incident or the story and it quickly veers back on course. Its usage is so totally unexpected like how it was so the Guardians of the Galaxy film that makes it more memorable or even quotable.ДЄnd it brings something so Filipino to the film - finding humor in the bleakest of situations. HereвЂ™s where Tarog hits it out of the park - the humor in the dialogue, although used sparingly like a well-laid ambush, isnвЂ™t contrived and is priceless. Scenes do not drag especially in the long exchange between Luna and Tomas Mascardo. The casting is spot on, the production design a marvel to behold, and the cinematography, a pleasure to watch. There are embellishes here and there but never to the point where it spins the story into something altogether different. Having said that, вЂњHeneral Luna' is a masterpiece and here is why.ДЇirst and foremost, it is a historical biopic done the right way. TarogвЂ™s film has generated a firestorm of interest and admiration, and it not only puts Luna on the pedestal he deserves but venerates him (and short of vilifies Emilio Aguinaldo who was indirectly or directly involved in the deaths of two strong-willed military leaders of that era - Luna and Andres Bonifacio). It was a war of independence from two colonial masters and this film pays honor and respect to Antonio Luna, one of the men who boldly stood against imperialism. And for $20 million, the country was sold by Spain to America. How different is the Philippines' Declaration of Independence made in Kawit, Cavite?ДЇrom the jaws of victory, independence was cruelly snatched away from the Filipinos who fought so hard for independence from Spain.

THE HENERAL LUNA MOVIE FREE

They formed their own Continental Congress and declared themselves free and independent states in July of 1776 (although the war ended in 1783). If we follow that train of thought then theirs too is an insurrection against British rule during their own war of independence. You see, the Philippine-American War has always been viewed as an insurrection by the American government than a genuine war. I am glad that Jerrold TarogвЂ™s film, Heneral Luna was made because it вЂњsteals' back something precious from the way history is written by the victorious Americans. Right before the Irish band U2 performed вЂњHelter SkelterвЂќ during their live concert recording for their Rattle and Hum album, lead singer Bono told the audience, вЂњThis is the song (murderer) Charles Manson stole from the Beatles.

The heneral luna movie