Leahann Rose D.

Cubillas
Xll-ABM2-Palaui

Movie Review: Heneral Luna

Being able to be understand in more than one way is not typically regarded as a good
results when it comes to historical films about national heroes. Most of the films that have
tackled our history past have a definite agenda of feeding their viewers with a very general
emotion of pride for one’s country.
Jerrold Tarog’s Heneral Luna provides that essential middle ground. It is a film that is
skillfull way with just enough meticulousness a reasonable budget can afford and still different in
common but gives knowledge and wisdom. Instead, it goes straight to the point of unravelling
those details in history that were left out by those who hanged the heroes. Tarog’s film is
probably fueled not by large amount money but by to realize Filipinos the reality of our
surroundings.
In a way, Luna personifies the degrade brave hero that defines the country’s fractured
history. What is the most interesting about Tarog’s Heneral Luna is that it does not place its
purpose ahead of its craft. The film is good to watch. The film is plotted precisely, never really
focusing on the larger aspects of history but on the smaller stories that perfectly construct and
related to the picture of our history and present. John Arcilla is very suited as Antonio Luna. His
performance displays an innate understanding of the character. Arcilla is very happy and
excited to behold in his various interpretations of Luna’s many personalities.
A massive undertaking with approximately 100 speaking roles and a crew of 600,
“Heneral Luna” impresses on all levels. From the POTC3-like opening ("right to habeas corpus,
suspended") to the flashback sequence to the conclusion. Production design, art direction and
costume design which bring to life an era that few viewers outside the Philippines will have seen
on big or small screens. Cinematographer Pong Ignacio confirms his rising-star status with
gorgeous widescreen lensing of lush rural areas, artful compositions in sequences inside the
corridors of power and fluid, exciting coverage of the many combat set-scene. A high standard
of excellence is achieved in pyrotechnics, vfx work and all other technical areas.
Heneral Luna begs you to look beyond the stereotypes of both the man and the
history that has been made around him. It begs you to see everything with clearer eyes, and
more importantly, without the influence of those who have the greatest to gain for turning our
history into a pageant of brave and unblemished patriots, of those who hanged heroes without
owning up to their sins.