MMFF 2024 REVIEW: Topakk - Solid action from start to end

I miss this kind of action where you can feel the pain of every punch, kick, and blow. And the action and tension is evenly distributed throughout the film and they don't feel like a stageplay action but solid performance that should make me feel if it was real or not. Yet I do believe that they worked hard for those scenes.

Topakk is the only 2024 MMFF entry to have two ratings of R-16 and R-18 depending on the cinema, though the one I watched was the R-18 version but if I would rate it, it can pass as R-16 because it was not too gory unlike films of the same action genre. I guess the rating might be about the mental health problems of Miguel (Arjo) which would be his PTSD.

Though the story is anchored on the Drug trade  and the usual stories, they did make an effort to build up Miguel's story now as a security guard and his encounter with the siblings Weng (Julia) and Bogs (Kokoy). The action was chaotic yet good, though a little dark because of the location and time, still works and also add some thrill for those scenes.

Arjo is really made for action and it shows with his performance. You can also say he is poetic because of the lines he has in this film. Julia also shows that she is also capable of hard action, and probably more if even similar projects or even a possible sequel for Topakk.

As one of the last films to see for MMFF, I felt kinda weird to see Sid Lucero and Kokoy De Santos who are also part of other MMFF entries. However, they did show differences with their performance in both films. I also just noticed the changing color grading from very sharp colors to toned and regulated towards the end, probably reflecting the mental instability toward a more controlled one.

Topakk sure gave the action that we want and fresh styles for Pinoy action. There may be a lot of clichés, but I guess it redeems itself as the movie progresses. It may seem unstable, but it mirrors the instability of the mind, his own Topakk.