TOPAKK

Topakk (MMFF 2024)

Directed by: Richard Somes

Unang eksena pa lang, nakakadiri na.

Pagkatapos nun, hindi ka na nila tatantanan.

Walang hingahan. Kahit nag-uusap lang sila, sumasabog pa rin ang tensyon sa paggitan ng mga karakter. Ang galing nilang maghanap ng paraan para kabahan ka sa mga nangyayari. Isang maling salita o galaw lang ay maaaring maging katapusan na nila.

Walang paligoy-ligoy. Kung may kailangang patayin, pasasabugin nila agad ang ulo. Kung may kailangang pugutan ng leeg, ipapakita nila ang hiwa nito. Wag kang kukurap dahil andaming namamatay kada segundo.

Wag kang mag-alala. Hindi sila nauubusan ng tao na papatayin. Andaming artista sa pelikulang ito at magagaling sila. Kahit maiksi lang ang eksena ng iba ay nakapag-iwan pa rin sila ng marka. Ramdam mong lahat sila’y magkakalaban dito kaya masaya silang nakikitang nag-aaway.

Nakakatawa ang mga banat ni Cholo Barretto. He’s breaking the ice everytime without breaking the tension. Maureen Mauricio easily stole the scene despite her brief moment on the screen. Kokoy De Santos and Vin Abrenica are good additions to the cast as well. You can never go wrong if Sid Lucero is your main antagonist.

Arjo Atayde’s portrayal is silent yet effective. He seldom shouts in this film but his face and movements are enough to make a connection. Most of his dialogues may be short but it’s concise and moving.

Julia Montes had the most exciting parts. Dahil nakikita mong sinasaktan at pinapahirapan siya rito, mas nagiging kaabang-abang kung paano siya lumalaban pabalik. Napagsasabay niya ang aksyon at drama nang walang naiiwan sa ere. Magaling siyang umiyak at pumatay ng mga kalaban. She needs to do more action movies.

Some shots can get too tight, dark, and shaky; you’re unable to appreciate the action in its full glory. They have a tendency to use a lot of different camera angles in seconds, losing your focus on what’s happening. The ending could’ve been better. The original soundtrack wasn’t also utilized.

The story needs improvement, but the film’s message transcends its narrative. 𝘛𝘰𝘱𝘢𝘬𝘬 is screaming that Filipinos can mount an action film that’s not holding back. On the other hand, MTRCB seems to hold back. To comply with the R-18 version, some body parts are not shown during death scenes.

Nonetheless, other gore highlights are still retained. The sound and prod design also help in maintaining the unsettling atmosphere. 

Bloodshed is still everywhere. Gunshots are becoming a norm. Violence is always welcomed. Killing has never been this fun and exciting. The best response to a gruesome death is an applause.

𝘛𝘰𝘱𝘢𝘬𝘬 deserves to be applauded for staying true to its core, making it the most satisfying Filipino Action Film that we have in recent years.

Don’t watch this if you prefer peace and quiet.

Otherwise, prepare yourselves for nonstop war.

Make sure to watch the R-18 and not the R-16.

Pasensya na sa mga bata at hindi niyo ito mapapanuod. Pero para sa matatanda at nasa tamang edad na, may magandang rason na para topakkin ngayong Pasko.

Sabay-sabay tayong topakkin.

Damay damay na’to.

𝗧𝗢𝗣𝗔𝗞𝗞

Rating: 4/5

Cast: Arjo Atayde, Julia Montes, Cholo Barretto, Paolo Paraiso, Vin Abrenica, Bernard Palanca, Kokoy de Santos, Enchong Dee, Sid Lucero, Maureen Mauricio

Written by: Richard Somes, JM Flores, Wilfredo Manalang

Presented by: Nathan Studios, Raven Banner, Strawdogs Studio Production, TagTeam Studio, Fusee, FDCP, CreatePH Films

Release Date: December 25, 2024 in Philippine cinemas nationwide

A Movie Review by: Goldwin Reviews

POSSIBLE NOMINATIONS:

• Best Actress (Julia Montes)

• Best Actor (Arjo Atayde)

• Best Supporting Actress (Maureen Mauricio)

• Best Supporting Actor (Cholo Barretto)

• Best Production Design

• Best Musical Scoring

• Best Sound Design

• Best Themesong

• Best Ensemble