Module 6 : Writing A Balanced Review/ Reaction Paper/Critique yet he is also able to flip the coin and show the
show the passionate,
APPLICATION/OUTPUT
Task: Critiquing Time!
Directions: Read the following movie reviews below and
answer the questions that follow.
SAMPLE A
Heneral Luna: A Movie Review
Heneral Luna is one of my favorite historical films. I
was moved by how the actors portrayed their roles. They were
perfectly casted for the movie. I strongly felt the emotions that
were conveyed by the actors as well as the scenarios presented
in the movie. The director did a good job.
There was one part though that I felt something was
lacking. The ending scene proved to be insufficient. It seemed
like there was not enough research done on that part. It was
too unrealistic and illogical.
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Overall, I will give this movie an 8/10. I firmly hope that more
historical films like this could be created in order to preserve
and instill the patriotism in today’s generation.
SAMPLE B
Movie Review: Heneral Luna
http://www.filmpolicereviews.com/reviews/heneral-luna
(1) Amidst pacing problems, Heneral Luna manages to
tell a compelling story, allegorical and timely tom present day-
supported by a fantastic script, an impassioned score, and
inspired cinematography.
(2) At first glance, one might mistake Heneral Luna as
your run-of-the-mill historical biopic that showcases a hero of
yore whose bravery and passion unite his people in the face of
dastardly foreign invaders. Well, this is only partly correct.
There are invaders, Heneral Luna (John Arcilla) is indeed
fiercely brave and madly passionate, but there is no unity to be
found amongst country men-only in fighting, personal
interests, and politicking.
(3) Directed by Jerrold Tarog and with a script co-
written by him, Henry Hunt Francia, and E.A Rocha; Heneral
Luna takes a different approach in telling the story of how we
lost the battle and got occupied by the Americans. Taking cues
from Oro, Plata, Mata; the movie deliberately puts the
colonialists in the periphery, making them merely a backdrop
whose presence stirred the pot. The real focus here is the
tension, the inner turmoil that brewed in the ranks of our so-
called Filipino founding fathers. Heneral Luna is a tale of how a
dissenting voice can get swept away and ultimately
perish under a wave of egos and personal interest.
(4) Carrying the weight of the story is the above stellar
performance of john Arcilla in the title role of Heneral Antonio
Luna. Arcilla plays with the whole
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spectrum of emotions in his portrayal of the larger-
than-life general. He is able to showcase the fierce, boisterous,
and volatile man the general has been historically known to be,
sympathetic, and battle-weary softer side of the character.
Here’s a man who rides head first screaming into battle just or
rile up his troops’ morale, but at the same time he is one who
can share warm moments and some banter with his mother.
He is an antihero-the Wolverine of the Filipino insurrection.
(5) One prime example of just how dynamic Arcilla’s
portrayal can be is during this one scene involving a chicken
vendor. Delivering virtually the same line of dialogue on two
separate moments, Arcilla was able to convey anger bordering
on madness at first and compassion nuanced with frustration
soon after. It is truly his performance that propels Heneral Luna
(and, sadly, he is alone).
(6) There isn’t much to be said about the rest of the
cast of movies, which is a pity, given that Heneral Luna
assembles quite an ensemble. You’ve got names like Joem
Bascon, Alex Medina, Mon Confiado, Nonie Buencamino,
Mylene Dizon, and even Ronnie Lazaro; but sadly, none of the
other performances stand out. Not that there are any weak
performances, it’s just that none are able to keep up with
gravitas of John Arcilla’s Luna. Mon Confiado’s Emilio Aguinaldo
seems more like a spineless weakling who hides behind his
cohorts rather than a respected political foil; while Ketchup
Eusebio’s Capt. Janolino, the leader of Luna’s killers, feels too
forced as a villain scorned by the titular general. The closest
character who can keep up with Luna’s onscreen presence is
his equally proud contemporary, Heneral Mescardo (Lorenz
Martinez) – whose refusal to give into Luna
provides a tension-filled back-and-forth sequence in the middle
of the film. Unfortunately, because of some jagged pacing,
tension such as is this is not consistent throughout the movie.
(7) This erratic pacing is felt most during the first act of
Heneral Luna – where things play out very much like an oral
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history. Used as plot device to serve as the audience’s
perspective. Arron Villaflor portrays journalist, Joven
Hernando, who is tasked to interview the general. This frame
narrative leads to various snippets that feature Luna’s
patriotism; from an expertly-short rowdy meeting with
Aguinaldo’s cabinet to earlier battles against the Americans.
Oddly, these scenes just feel lacking in connectivity tissue. Its
pacing is too quick to really tie the storytelling together and
doesn’t help either that some set pieces looked too clean and
glossed over-lacking the grit and weariness you’d expect from a
war movie. Couple with these efforts to add a humor at some
odd moments throughout the film, and you’ve got a trifecta
that hinders the movie from the fully immersing you.
(8) Heneral Luna more than makes for these flaws
though through its artistic components --- such as its beautiful
score, well-crafted cinematography, and most especially, its
fantastic rhythmic script.
(9) Technically marvelous is the only way to describe
the movie’s sound design --- from Luna’s table banging
overpowering the raucous in a cabinet meeting, to a guitar mini
concert midway the film, to the overall masterful score. You
have to give it to effort put in by Jerrold Tarog, who not only _________________________________________________________
directed the movie but also provided its music. _________________________________________________________
(10) All sorts of appealing too is Heneral Luna’s ______________________.
cinematography. One scene you have to look out for is the
flashback sequence to the general’s youth. This particular Assignment
scene employs one lone take, seamlessly moving from different Task: Evaluate Academically!
sets that pass of as a childhood home, Europe, and the other
settings from different timelines. It is a visual spectacle, Directions: Write a 300-500-word
innovative and masterful in its execution. critique/review/reaction paper on the
(11) Most notable tough among the movie’s artistry in government’s fight against the COVID-19
its script. Poetic yet conversational, Heneral Luna’s script is pandemic. Please follow the standard format and
filled to structure, APA style.
the brim with flowery lines of dialogue as if lifted from a
sonata. It’s not every day that you get to hear lines as
beautifully crafted as “Kailangan mong tumalon sa kawalan.”
“digmaan ang iyong asawa, ako lamang ay iyong querida,” and
“para kayong mga
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birhen na naniniwala sa pag-ibig ng puta.” Here is a script so
elegant that it can even make curse words sound so cultured,
so tasteful.
(12) Overall, Heneral Luna is not just a film but a
wakeup call driving the ever reminder that some things never
change. Its message --- we Filipinos are our own worst
enemies, lacking in resolve and torn by self-interests. It is a
story representative of not just our current and still chaotic
political landscape but of who we are and what we can do but
don’t. Though it may not be perfect in its execution, the film
does its duty in leaving with the question lingering “Bayan o
sarili?”

Questions:

Questions:
1. Compare and contrast the movie reviews. In terms of:
a. Introduction-
_________________________________________________________
_______________________________ .

b. Body-
_________________________________________________________
_______________________________ .
c. Conclusion-
_________________________________________________________
________________________________ .

2. Which among the following reviews showed a more objective view

of the subject? Why do you say so?
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
____________________ .

3. Based from the sample reviews, what makes a balanced

critique/review/reaction paper?