But still, special effects do not impress me much. What stirs my interest is a good twist and turn of a story and if possible, no loophole in the script. If I have to watch a fantasy film therefore, it better have a good and exciting story to complement the special effects.
Mulawin — the Movie, to my relief, has both spectacular special effects and an engaging plotline. Add to that the inspired performances of the lead characters Richard Gutierrez and Angel Locsin. For sure, this is not an acting vehicle for any actor. But everyone involved in the film still delivers a decent performance.
In the beginning, I thought Mulawin — the Movie was just going to be a retelling of what viewers had already seen on TV when this top-rated series was still being aired on GMA 7. It turned out that the film’s story takes off from where the TV series ends. The millions of viewers (it was really one of the most successful fantaseryes of Channel 7) who followed it closely night after night surely cannot say that this is just a replay or a rerun of what they’ve already seen before on TV. Those who didn’t get to see it before on television, however, will still enjoy watching Mulawin — the Movie because the film explains in a manner that will not make you feel like you are in first grade the background of every major character in the story.
And this is what I like best in Mulawin — the Movie: It has a solid story that excites the viewers because it merges in some parts the Mulawin characters with those of Encantadia, which also enjoyed good ratings on Channel 7 until the time it gave way to a new fantasy series, Etheria.
The combination of the characters from Mulawin and Encantadia turns out to be a harmonious blending of half-birds, fairies and demigoddesses – thanks to an imaginative and careful writing that must have gone through several processes.
The hard work put in by the people behind the film actually shows on screen (but without the seams necessarily showing) and is greatly appreciated by the viewer who is treated to a really entertaining fantasy movie.
If you study and look closely at this movie, you will notice the fact that there was an effort to make each scene perfect – and it was for this that Mulawin — the Movie was graded A by the Cinema Evaluation Board (CEB) – the only entry in the 2005 Metro Manila Film Festival to achieve such feat. (Exodus and Mano Po 4: Ako Legal Wife both got a B, while the other entries opening Jan. 1 are scheduled for review by the CEB tomorrow.) As a graded A film, Mulawin — the Movie will get a 100 percent rebate from the government. (Graded B movies get 65 percent rebate.)
Usually, a film that gets a grade (either A or B) from the CEB is entitled to a tax rebate immediately on opening day. But since it is part of the Metro Manila Film Festival, Mulawin — the Movie will get its tax rebate only after the festival on Jan. 7, which isn’t so bad because this is the type of film that will enjoy an extension from the cinemas, not only in Metro Manila but all over the country. (Amusement taxes during this period go to the MMFF, which has its own beneficiaries: the MMDA, Mowelfund, the anti-piracy council, a little for the Film Academy of the Philippines and the President’s Social Fund.)
Aside from the tax incentive, Mulawin — the Movie enjoys the honor of belonging to the Graded A league. In the past years, there would usually be just one or two films that end up getting an A grade from the Cinema Evaluation Board. But since there is an influx of well-made digital films this year, the A list got longer: La Visa Loca, the digital films Ilusyon, Big-time, Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros and now, Mulawin.
Unfortunately, I have yet to see the filmfest entries opening on Jan. 1. However, I have a strong feeling that Mulawin — the Movie may end up as the Metro Manila Film Festival Best Picture.
Whatever the outcome may be in the festival, Mulawin — the Movie will still soar as one of the finest and well-crafted fantasy films in Philippine cinema.