Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles (A Filipino Horror Movie) – From a Commoner’s View

It is true what they say that Tiktik is not just your typical action-horror film. Yes, that is very true. It is action-packed, that I agree. But I don’t think I can categorize it as a horror movie in my book. The scary factors in horror stories are not present in this film. My rating for Shock and Scare is half a heart. So there, no need to be wary of watching this movie because you have a weak heart. Tiktik is more of an action-comedy with just a tiny bit element of horror because of the aswangs (human-eating monsters). But for Laughter and Tears, I give it 4 hearts! It was a really fun movie to watch.

Joey Marquez was his usual tatanga-tanga (funny stupid), but with a big heart, character. I must admit…seeing him again after a very long time of absence in movies, I realized that I kinda missed his antics. Janice de Belen was also funny as the typical bungangera (nagging) wife and mother. Ramon Bautista, on the other hand, was a nice and fresh addition. Contrary to what I expected, he was not overacting or corny. He delivered a natural and right amount of comic expressions. Lovi Poe also gave what was required from her and did not overdo it. Like what Eugene Domingo calls a “No Acting Acting” :) The lines… the dialogues and their delivery were simply perfect! Even Dingdong Dantes, whom I never really liked, was great at being an ass****. A natural! Oh, I meant that in a good way, okay? Writer-Director of this film, Erik Matti, made the right choices in his personally hand-picked actors to play these roles.

So, for Character Performance I give Tiktik 4.5 gems. Considering that the actors had to act frightened out of their wits by aswangs that they don’t even see. They were all believable. And oh, let’s not forget the aswang characters and their remarkable performances and saliva-dripping appearances. They acted in all seriousness of their monster characters, especially the two patriarchal figures: Mike Gayoso as the avenging father of the mischievous teenage aswangs; and Roi Vinzons as the powerful head of the Aswang tribe.

It would be hard to separate ratings for Cinematography and Special FX, since Tiktik was shot entirely in green screen and everything depended on computer graphics animation. I was really impressed with the opening credits. It’s the first Filipino movie I’ve seen where the creators really put in too much time and effort in the artistry of the opening credits. It was like watching the opening credits of Batman or Spider-man. Well…not really but almost! And that’s saying something, right?

READ FULL REVIEW ON: http://heblogs-sheblogs.com/2012/10/tiktik-the-aswang-chronicles-movie-review/