The Hapipaks band was created because after
years of being friends Odie (Jason
Abalos) suddenly sees Irene as “Jackson”
material. Basically Jackson is defined as the person you want to molest.
By the
way, Irene is being played by Glaiza De Castro.
Anyway
after they find a former Titik O axeman-turned-barista
and an angst-driven drummer, they form an ambitious rock group that’s bound to
make the OPM rock scene awesome again.
This
is the review of Rakenrol!
RAKENROL!
*** SPOILER ALERT!!! ***
What
I Liked:
The
writing. The research. The acting. While I wouldn’t be surprised why Quark Henares and Diego Castillo had seriously extensive info on the history of Pinoy
rock, there is a reason why I hate Trinoma for not screening this. This is an
awesome movie! This is a barkada movie that a group of friends can converge at!
I all of a sudden warped back to the days when OPM Bandmania is good and less
angst-filled. The movie is mix of all the stoner flicks like Fanboys, Miss March, Empire Records, Harold
and Kumar, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Happy Gilmore, and all those kinds of
awesomeness. I’ve watched and I felt the acting here is genuine because let’s
face it – it’s not as if there’s no kid that didn’t want to front a band.
The
music is awesome. The references on various OPM band-related subjects are fine.
While I am not a fan of Urbandub
(sorry), I am happy that the band scene was ably represented in this flick. I
kind of liked the Ely Buendia “Hugh
Hefner from Miss March/Chubbs from Happy Gilmore” almighty figure shtick
although people will definitely kind the scene cheesy. I dunno... maybe it’s
just the fanboy in me.
Where
is Parokya ni Edgar?
Anyway,
Jason Abalos struggled at the start of the movie but managed to hold his own
playing Odie. I think his character is somewhat molded a la Jhun from the
defunct Culture Crash segment One Day
Isang Diwa (kung sino man humiram non
sakin pakisoli). Fact is his character is kind of normal compared to the
others in the movie and the audience needs to feel his underdog spirit before
they can dig his persona.
Glaiza
De Castro is great in this film. She’s basically “Jackson” in terms of acting and
she didn’t come off as annoying despite being the ultimate rock geek. It was
fun to see her dance to Disconnection Notice
(she was part of the music video). Her naive groupie interactions with Diether Ocampo are also good. Her first gig at Mayric’s is also epic.
Their
love story is also swell. You can see the intensity between Odie and Irene during
their confrontation scene.
Alwyn Uytingco amongst the four main cast
members had the meatiest role. His curses were well-timed and of the four, his
character garnered the most change. At the start of the movie you’ll hate him
but in the end you see him getting the love. Hell, I can see the film getting
anchored on his standpoint and I believe it will even look better.
Ketchup Eusebio is the “most natural” actor in
the film. I am actually surprised that he isn’t really used much as a sidekick
in John Lloyd Cruz movies. My
girlfriend exclaimed that it was as if his acting is effortless in the flick
and his interactions with Jason Abalos and Alwyn Uytingco are solid. The
cigarette-puffing purveyor of sanity in the group also had solid interactions
with Jun Sabayton.
Speaking
of Jun Sabayton, if you weren’t a fanboy of Strangebrew, TV5’s Word of the Lourd, or any Furball-inclined production, then BE ONE! Sabayton’s icky
“intelligent Sammy Lagmay” approach
in the movie is funny as hell. Actually he is funnier here compared to Ramon Bautista’s Flame character (a gay
director minus the artistic qualities) and that says a lot considering the
Ramon Bautista’s antics here were awesome (albeit short).
Where
is Tado?
Matet De Leon playing a fictional/real-life
(eyng?) version of her self is cool. I thought they would have done more
insanity in this idea considering how a stunt like this pushed Neil Patrick Harris’ career back to
relevance. I was bent that all interactions in the movie will start with “diba ikaw yung batang cute dati”?
And
last on the list is Diether Ocampo.
He is the film’s version of Aldous Snow.
More on this later.
The
love story formed in the movie is kind of predictable but relatable. It has the
Wonder Years effect on it where the
point of view of Odie is talking us through on his early band experience. Come
to think of it, it seems that Quark Henares and Diego Castillo researched more
than the bands’ discography but band life in particular. We zero in at the
different situations and problems that a band can have.
I
remember a certain band breaking up because the vocalist broke up with the
guitarist. I also remember a certain guitarist quit the band after his heart
was stomped by the vocalist.
I also
remember a band guy kissing a band guy.
Eww.
Moving
on.
What
I Hated:
I
don’t really hate the movie because I understood it. Given the circumstances
though, I think the film needed to secure a broader audience in order for the
film can work on mainstream. I mean my girlfriend was laughing at the jokes but
she finds it hard to understand who the great Rakistas are.
I
don’t really want to Diether Ocampo in my hate spot because he is perfect in
portraying the annoying dick with the wonderful body and the rich kid status.
However, I don’t know if he needs to emphasize his lines more or if he needs to
Tagalize it. Instead of channelling Russell
Brand maybe they could have it a la Baron
Geisler or at least totally over the top it. Also the secondary characters
are adorable than the four. I was actually hoping that we see more from Jun
Sabayton and Ramon Bautista.
As for
the secondary characters though, I think they dropped the ball on Ricardo Cepeda. The Genta Ogami shtick is outdated and
people don’t even remember it. The real-life guy swindled people and help fund Roland Gan Ledesma action movies, Mateo Family showbiz careers, and Chibugan Na.
Do
people miss Philippine Bengga
Association?
I
don’t think so.
Of
course, the movie was rich in music but I just hoped the film featured popular
bands and not those bands that they only know. One classic scene that could
have used familiarity was the bed jumping scene where they featured Cambio’s Patlang. I like the song, no
question about that, but maybe I would have gone with something mainstream to
make people relate to the feeling they are having. Sandwich’s Sugod while gasgas
is relatable. If they are bent on using a Cambio song, they could have used Pasaway. Imagine Odie and Irene jumping
in slomo with that.
And
maybe the ending could have been grander. I mean sure, it was set up by Ely
Buendia (like I said... spoiler alert) but maybe there could have been more.
Sure they are planning to have a star-crossed lover situation but like I said,
the ending really failed to hook my satisfaction level. If this was me I would have
given them an intimate moment while singing their last song where it either
Irene will kiss Odie or leave him in tears.
This
would set up the record bar scene where The Songs For Irene album is getting attention.
The
Verdict:
Rakenrol
is actually a very enjoyable movie. Watching the movie without the awesomeness
of Dolby Surround sucks! SM Cinemas should really take care of
their cinema’s audibility. Despite the kinks in its formation, I still tip my
hat for the persons responsible for Rakenrol. I was cameo hunting throughout
the movie and just like the fascination of Odie when he went to Jacci Rocha’s
party, it would be an awesome experience to talk and drink in front the Ebe Dancel, Buddy Zabala, and the most awesome musicians that Pinoy
Rock ever produced.
I am
certain that this movie can have a sequel considering there are a lot of
questions that weren’t really answered. Yes, the movie has franchise
tendencies.
Like I
said, I am seriously loving Philippine Cinema right now.
Game
over!
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