HENERAL LUNA (Film Review)

By: Nicole Almario

If Progress is just a dream, let us
dream on until death
One of the most expensive and
highest-grossing Filipino films of all
time, Heneral Luna is directed by
Jerrold Tarog. The brilliant and strategic
character of General Luna was played
by John Arcilla. Together with amazing
actors and actresses, Arron Villaflor,
Mon Confiado, Mylene Dizon, Nonie
Buencamino, Lorenz Martinez, Joem
Bascon, Alvin Anson, Alex Medina,
Ketchup Eusebio, Art Acuna, Archie
Alemania, Epy Quizon, Leo Martinez,
Perla Bautista, Bing Pimentel, Miguel
Faustmann. Which all performed well
on the said comedy-drama film. It is a
Quantum
Films
(in
Philippines)/Abramorama
(in
U.S.)
release of an Artikulo Uno production.
Produced by E.A. Rocha. Executive producer, Fernando Ortigas. Co-executive
producers, Leo Martinez, Ting Nebrida.
It was all about the interview granted by Luna to Jove Hernando (Arron Villaflor),
a journalist. The conversations provide viewers of the life and experiences of General
Luna. The film gives the idea of the war between Philippines and America in the year
1898. How Filipino soldiers fight for the countrys independence and describe other
Filipinos as coward, stupid and traitor in their own country. Which Luna disagree and
against with. He tried hard to change and have his own way of disciplining Filipinos. He
give his all to his country in order for us to be free from colonizers. But then what did he
get from all his hard works and efforts?
The film introduce strong lines mainly spoken by the leading actor John Arcilla as
General Luna. As if it was meant for the Filipinos to watch it and be enlighten from what
happen years ago. Jonh Arcillas fiesty performance brings life the General Lunas
reputation for inspiring both undying loyalty and bravery. On his side of loyalty side are
well-written and performed portraits of supporters including Gen. Jose Alejandrino (Alvin
Anson), Col. Francisco Roman (Joem Bascon) and Capt. Jose Bernal (Alex Medina).
On the opposite side were, Ketchup Eusebio which portraits the Capt. Pedro Janolino, a
smarmy young officer whose refusal to obey Luna plays a critical role in the fortunes of
the general and the war itself. Also to Mylene Dizon who is Red Cross worker Isabel,
which Luna was known to have been involved with. A round of applause for them
because they give their best and much effort in this amazing movie.

Heneral Luna the movie is being described as an epic film because its unique
kind of comedy-drama type of movie. Heneral Luna is a very different proposition from
the majority of Filipino historical epics, which paint portraits of the nations founding
fathers. The dialogue by Tarog and co-scripters Henry Francia and E.A. Rocha presents
a government that is being wrecked by its own people, they are not unified and some of
them were not giving much attention to what all want but just what he want in order to
have good life
I watched the movie twice and all in all it was a good movie. It gives me
lessons from the past. Though it has some comedy and funny scenes I find the movie
somewhat realistic. Which had a large impact on me and probably to all the audience of
the movie. After Ive watched the movie I became emotional without knowing what the
reasons are. It describes the ugly truth of what Filipinos are. The movie is created in
funny ways. The movie shows that whats stopping a unified Filipino nation is its own
people.