Anchored by a charismatic central performance by John Arcilla ("Metro Manila") and peppered with exciting action sequences, the pic has the all-around energy to overcome the odd moment of bumpy storytelling and prosaic dialogue.
Heneral Luna
Nation or self?
2015 · 1h 58m · R
Action, Drama, History, War
Directed by
Jerrold Tarog
Overview
A Filipino general who believes he can turn the tide of battle in the Philippine-American war. But little does he know that he faces a greatest threat to the country's revolution against the invading Americans.
Director and cast
- Jerrold Tarog Director
- John Arcilla as Heneral Luna
- Mon Confiado as Pres. Emilio Aguinaldo
- Mylene Dizon as Isabel
- Epi Quizon as Apolinario Mabini
- Archie Alemania as Capt. Eduardo Rusca
- Paulo Avelino as Gregorio Del Pilar
- Ronnie Lazaro as Lt. Garcia
- Nonie Buencamino as Felipe Buencamino
- Leo Martinez as Pedro Paterno
- Ketchup Eusebio as Gen. Tomas Mascardo
Critics on Rotten Tomatoes
Top critics, in their words
From an American perspective, "Heneral Luna" may not be much of a film, but it's a fascinating artifact.
"Heneral Luna" would never be mistaken for more serious-minded art-house material, but there are certainly less lively ways to be taught a history lesson.
Tarog works around modest resources to create a sense of sweep and dimension. As with Luna himself, the film might go too far at times, but there's much to admire.
Really, when a film works this hard to rouse you, there's no shame in just giving in.
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