REEL DEAL MMFF 2013: Boy Golden REVIEW

Action movies are making a comeback to the Philippine movie industry, and they are making waves and revolutionizing Pinoy action films are made. With the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) being the most anticipated movie extravaganza in the Philippines, it is also a great time to showcase this genre to compete among comedy and horror films. For this year 2013, one of the action films included here is Boy Golden: The Arturo Porcuna Story.

Directed by Chito Rono, and led by Manila Kingpin, El Presidente star and Laguna Governor Jorge "ER"  Ejercito and KC Concepcion, it narrates the life of the infamous gangster Arturo "Boy Golden" Porcuna during the 1960's (which is similar to ER's last film about Asiong Salonga). 

Being a period film makes it more complicated and detail-oriented, they managed to pull this off make an impression. And that was the struggle back in their previous films, however they learn from their past mistakes and made a lot of improvements for this film. There is also a odd style of lighting technique used for the film which I can describe as "psychedelic" but makes its distinction as not the average type of film.

Fight and gang scenes are the most interesting part of the movie with practically everyone involved in one way or another. Who would thought that gangland Manila was this brutal and chaotic. So far, the only recommendation for improvement would be the special effects, it is decent but might need to be more refined.

Another interesting thing in Boy Golden is the "loveteam" of KC and ER. It may be an unlikely pair for some, but it can be seen as more of "partners in crime" than a romantic tandem. well it is a gangster movie anyway and not a chick flick.

Boy Golden also brings in stars like Eddie Garcia, John Estrada, Baron Gieler, Gloria Sevilla, Joem Bascon, Buboy Villar, Leo Martinez, Roi Vinzon, Jhong Hillario and John Lapuz.

Boy Golden The Arturo Porcuna Story is brought to you by Viva Films and Scenema Concept International. Now Showing in Theaters.

Deliberation time kids! 

Show summary in 3 lines: Shoot to Kill

Technical Effects: 3 out of 5 stars (Decent but needs more refinement)

Plot: 3 out of 5 stars (Well we all know where this is going to, however there are interesting plot twist from scene to scene)

Acting and Actors: 4 out of 5 stars  (Best performances are Eddie Garcia and Gloria Sevilla) 

Music and Soundtracks:  4 out for 5 stars (Music was also interesting with a mix of modern music at the right parts, and classics of the 1960s)

Pros:  Fight Scenes, Plot, Cinematography, Details
Cons:  Special Effects,   
Overall Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars (I can confidently say it is a whole new kind of gangster movie, and is on my best top three for the MMFF )