It is already a ‘given’ for Filipino moviegoers to watch horror flicks during Christmastime. I think, Regal Films traditionally started this trend via its ‘Shake, Rattle and Roll’ serialized movies which by the way has its 15th entry in the said Metro Manila Film Festival this year; however, the second installment of the ‘aswang’ chronicles—‘Kubot: The Aswang Chronicles II’ by Direk Erik Matti is indeed one of the must-see entries because of its storytelling, primarily.
Matti who once stirred the moviegoing public after mounting the prequel of the trilogy of the ‘aswang’ chronicles titled ‘Tiktik’ with Dingdong Dantes on the lead role as Macoy in October 2012, two years ago; returns to battle against the remaining ‘aswangs’ that lurk the face of the earth.
Despite the problems in its productions like the issue between Matti and its former lead actress—Lovi Poe’s ‘uncooperative’ attitude, the film still turned out to be excellent in many ways exceeding its first chapter.
For those who haven’t seen ‘Tiktik’—there may be some moments that they get ‘clueless’, but as the story progresses—they can pick up the pace and ride along the adventures of Dantes’s character—the hero who killed the ‘tiktik’ clan.
‘Kubot’, this second type of ‘aswang’ being highlighted in the film is headed by the veteran actress Elizabeth Oropesa as Veron. In some documents, a ‘kubot’ is described as a bat-like creature that resembles an umbrella with huge, wide wings. When it catches its prey, its claws take it home to be butchered. But in Matti’s version, its takes the form of a huge ball of hair and when it attacks its victim—it twists its body, sucks the very soul and the life; and leaves the body into a horrible fate—a dried, limpy corpse.
If ‘Tiktik’ succeeded in showing the capabilities of Filipino graphic artists working hand in hand with the likes of a wild and imaginative director Matti; ‘Kubot’ utilized a minimized version of its animation even if Dantes, who happens to be one of the producers claimed that their budget has sky-rocketed even the more in filming the second movie.
But one thing’s for sure this second Matti film—it surely is entertaining in its entirety. Unlike its first one, which was shot wholly in green screen this movie has some adjustments especially in utilizing animations. Classified as horror, but I wouldn’t even brand the movie as horror since it injected a lot of humor and packed it with more action scenes as Macoy minus his right arm [he lost it in one of his encounters with the ‘kubot’ species. With the experimentation it made by the filmmakers—it has enhanced the scenes with breathtaking stunts. Imagine ‘aswangs’ chasing their victims by running after them and crawling swiftly on walls. Also, it has provided Macoy a new arm—a mechanized and huge version of a Swiss Army knife apart from his whip that he used in killing the ‘tiktik’ in the previous film. And with such weapons—Macoy transformed into a kick-ass hero.
Though ‘Kubot’ may have assembled some of the country’s ‘forcing through’ artists like Isabelle Daza, Abra the rapper, and Kapuso female artist dubbed ‘kuno’ as Asia’s Pop Sweetheart—Julie Anne San Jose. Their portrayals of their roles were short to unbelievable and were unnecessary as characters. They can easily be axed since they actually didn’t exhibited remarkable performances. Daza may have made herself ‘silly’ in one scene and attempted to be ‘funny’, but with most of her scenes she ‘ineffectively’ acted it out. She failed to show the real emotions of someone in pain (who lost her mother and sister). Even the part where she was already hanged and was about to be grinded; her legs were still quite poised—ready to strike a pose for a fashion shoot. Daza as Lex, (another ‘aswang’ character from ‘Dagit’ species) is supposed to be an essential part in moving the story forward, but her presence didn’t make me feel as such; as she’s that vital to establish the threatening character of KC Montero as another type of ‘aswang’—a ‘Morogmon’. Meanwhile the Abra and San Jose as Benjie and Stacey, respectively were more like ‘imposed-to-be-included-in-the-cast-even-if-they’re-unnecessary’. With their three times outing—still they didn’t leave such impact even if they were the ones responsible in providing the mechanized arm of Macoy. Both were bad in acting. They should remain in their first ventures—rapping and singing. Acting is not for them.
Notable performances are from Oropesa and Lotlot de Leon as Nieves, Macoy’s interfering elder sister. De Leon deserved the best supporting actress trophy.
‘Kubot’ is set in the present-day Manila, shot in the dingy neighborhood of Tondo, particularly in Divisoria area is something that I could give credit to both Matti and Michiko Yamamoto for its storytelling. It has further complicated the persona of ‘kubot’ as opposed to its previous description. It has pushed further the envelope in cultivating the less known ghoul in Philippine Mythology that which appears to be an ordinary human in form by day, and turns into a blood-sucking monster as soon darkness beckons.
Apart from Matti, Oropesa and de Leon, both Matti and Yamamoto deserve to be recognized in the awards night as well.
Rating: From Five Stars – Three-and-half stars
