A Critique Paper of the Movie Heneral Luna
The movie “Heneral Luna” directed by Jerrold Tarog is one of the most engaging
historical movie that was ever produced in the Philippines. In fact it passed the Php. 160 million
mark to become the highest grossing Filipino historical film of all time. It is a historical, biopic,
action movie that depicts the leadership of General Antonio Luna as he and his troops fight
againts the Americans. Starring John Arcilla as General Luna a short tempered but a patriotic
person, Mon Confiado as Emilio Aguinaldo, Epi Quizon (Apolinario Mabini), Nonie
Buencamino (Felipe Buencamino), and Aaron Villaflor (Joven Hernandez). The scenario was
held during the Philippine - American War in 1898, that shows the rise and fall of General
Antonio Luna as he fights for his country’s freedom.
It all started in the cabinet meeting of the officials with Heneral Luna they were deciding
wether to fight or surrender to the Americans in which General Luna opposes, when he heard the
news about his comrades getting killed, he immediately grouped his soldiers and went to battle.
He sent a letter to Kawit soldiers Captain requesting for back up but got declined because the
order was not from the President. Despite of lacking in soldiers the battle still continue with
General Luna riding his horse directly attacking the Americans who retreat because it’s time for
their dinner. Luna created a plan to gather thousands of men who will join his army but General
Mascardo refuse to help because it’s not a presidents order. This started the dispute between
Filipino forces.
"Heneral Luna" is a good historical reference as it shows a detailed information of what
General Luna and his men did for our country before. Were they fought the Americans even
though they lack supplies, equipments, cooperation, and support from the government itself. The
visual effects of the film is also commendable because they effortly make the modern location fit
into the period storytelling of the film, In many cases they were able to remove modern elements
such as the background shot on location and changed the details of some buildings to match the
period.
The way how the film was created is captivating, the filmmakers and the director were
able to make the scene intense but humorous at the same time making it more interesting that
even those people who are not fond of historical movies will learn to appreciate this type of film.
There are scenes and lines from the movie that really got our attentions, just like what General
Luna said "Negosyo o Kalayaan, Bayan o Sarili pumili ka!" This shows that there are some
people who will choose their personal interest over something big that will benefit others. There
is also a scene in which Luna keep on protecting a boy named Joven who serves as a narrator.
Based from the other critics Joven represents the new generation, that Antonio Luna keep on
fighting for freedom of our country was not only for them but for the succeeding generations.
But whatever he represents, his character helps in building up the movie. One more aspect of the
movie that we are impressed off was the characterization of the artist, the way they portray, their
style and how they show their emotions throughout their movements deserves recognition.
Overall, the film was totally engaging from its visual effects up to the characterization
and emotions shows that the movie is worth to watch. The movie is highly recommended to the
youth to give them awareness and knowledge regarding on what the hero did and how it
contributed inspiration to our fellowmen. This part of our history will emphasize that there are
things that we don't already know and there are hidden stories behind every story which is
untold. We should consider those little matters because they're more than what we expect.
References:
Gonzalez (2016). https://medium.com/@Raydius06/heneral-luna-critique-paper-4a705cd48a2e.
Kuipers (2015). https://variety.com/2015/film/reviews/heneral-luna-review-1201649617/.
Leechuga (2016). https://medium.com/@desreejoy/heneral-luna-critique-paper-72773c2e12c2.
https://bayaniuniverse.fandom.com/wiki/Heneral_Luna_(film).
Set during the Philippine-American war, a short-tempered Filipino general faces an
enemy more formidable than the American army: his own treacherous countrymen.
