646f9e108c A series of murders takes place in the Metropolis in a span of three weeks, the latest of which happens on the night Junior, a taxi driver, makes love to a prostitute. After establishing a pattern from the killings, Inspector Noble, the police investigator, will theorize that only one person, a serial or thrill killer, maybe responsible for all of the murders. Junior is aware of the killings but it doesn't seem to bother him, unlike most ordinary people who have heard of the news about a serial killer roaming the city. Together with Trixie's friend Toti, Junior and Trixie head to the countryside where Trixie's family live. Junior gets to meet Martha, Trixie's weird mother, a tough lady with a shotgun always on her side. Junior also gets to know Max, Trixie's weird brother, a war-scarred former Marine soldier who's got traces of insanity. Martha's rejection of Junior is evident from the start. Martha wants Trixie to end the relationship, and immediately tell Junior that he is not welcome in the family. At this time, a mysterious man riding in an old van is heading towards Trixie's house. The bulky, ominous looking man with murderous eyes eventually reaches the house, and once inside, takes down Trixie's family one by one. First to fall is Max's wife, then the house helper, Max, and finally Martha. The man takes the shocked and hysterical Trixie alive. Junior on the other hand, manages to hide and elude the man. Meanwhile, Inspector Noble finally identifies the serial killer after getting a lead from the remains of a murdered woman. He is Damian Garote, an officer of Metrocom during Martial Law. He was considered to be the most brutal and ruthless police officer during his time. After he retired from the service, no one knew where he went. Junior eventually gets in the way of Damian, and tries to stop the man from getting away with Trixie. The two men get to see each other eye to eye after they got out of the van which rammed to a tree. The two will recognize each other easily. But in the end, nothing is what it seems.
This Filipino thriller starred,written and director by Filipino actor Cesar Montano entitled "Ligalig",a Filipino word for "Trouble", is obviously an imitation from the French slasher flick directed by Alexandre Aja and starred by Cecile De France and Maiwenn "Haute Tension",also known by its English title,"High Tension.<br/><br/>Although Montano denies it by claiming that this was an original work,the viewer who has seen both films cannot deny the fact that this Filipino film indeed has taken on the concepts involved with the French movie from the story,the characters,the moods,the settings and the much talked about "twist" that involves a character with a split personality that had many of the viewers of the French flick divided.So instead of trying to prove that Montano is lying,I will just focus my review on the comparison between "Ligalig" and "High Tension".<br/><br/>No question that Montano was amazed by the French movie that he decided to take a Filipino counterpart without giving acknowledgment to director Alexandre Aja and his writing partner Gregory Levasseur.Instead of having best friends Marie and Alex going to the latter's family at the rural area in Southern France to study,the story involves a taxi driver Junior who is going to his girlfriend's family Trixie.But before everything was set up,we get to see a man named Damian driving a truck who is apparently responsible in killing people for reasons even the Filipino actor does not know just like the killer who was lurking behind truck in the rural area of Southern France.Junior and Trixie was with a female friendthey drive towards the latter's family.Familiar elements from High Tension was takenthey drive which I felt had no connection whatsoever in the overall story suchTrixie leaving Junior when the former wanted to pee in the plantation, the masturbation "scene" which the female friend did to Juniora homage to Marie's masturbation "scene".Then when they all arrived in Trixie's house,the female friend decided to take a bath with her lingerie ona homage to Alex's taking a shower.I felt those scenes were simply placed there to remind us of the French film. Nothing more.They have no overall effect to the story.<br/><br/>What's worse,unneeded elements on the story were added suchTrixie's mother who loves to shoot with her gun and Trixie's brother who is stricken with PTSD.This was to show that her family are psychologically impaired but does not provide any impact in the story.Probably they tried to servea diversion from Damian.Nothing more. Too bad that it didn't.The mother and the brother were just there for entertainment.Or better yet,to remind the viewers that the killer shot Alex's young brother.<br/><br/>Finally,came the twist.When Damian appeared,he started to kill Trixie's family and took Trixie into captive.While the French movie made clear on the steps the personality change of Marie occurred - Marie saw Alex taking a shower and felt lust,she masturbated and the split of personality occurred - this movie only showed that Junior turned into Damianthe movie needed him to.In short,the twist was simply contrived and unrealistic.Added to that,there were a lot of unanswered questionsto why Junior is turning into his dead violent father and starts to kill people.Overall,the only purpose was to show that indeed Montano can direct a slasher flick similar to the French flick.Nothing more.<br/><br/>What's more,the characters and the dialogues are silly.The story is weak and contrived.Too bad that melodramatic elements were added too that served no purpose in the story. And what about the special effects? The viewer can see how poor they were.When Junior was taking the police to the headquarters,viewers can see the poor use of green screenthe background of cars looks far differentcompared to the taxi.The "lightning effects" whenever Damian appear have become tiresome.Camerasconstantly shaking. The opening and closing credits were just simply too stylish like an MTV video.One might just laugh at these special effects which unknowingly turn this slasher flick into comedy because of it.Saying this,it only shows that it is confused on what kind of movie is it going to be.<br/><br/>Overall,this was a poor film and a poor imitation at that.I could go on but there are simply too many things that is wrong with this movie that a 1 out of 10 rating is even considered high for it Why was this given an "A rating" in the Philippines?
I really enjoyed the modernized film noir tone that Cesar Montano sets to the movie… but at times the excessive use of styling, the jitters and slam cuts make it seem a little self indulgent. If only Montano opted for a minimalist conservativism in his wonderful styling… anyway, in addition the movie also enjoys moments of gratuitous titillation. You just have to see it to know what I mean… It's obvious Montano was having a LOT of fun with this film of the sort and genre that has been done many times. On the plus side, he does NOT compromise character development and some of the eccentricities of interpersonal relationships in the story. After which, he revvs the story up with his pop-corn horror/slasher/suspense turn - direction which is handled very well.<br/><br/>I'd also like to take note of how he opted for compositing in the scenes of mobiling in vehicles so the camera need not be static, and it can pan and scrub and cinematographic will. Excellent players all through out. Got to love the mad, authoritarian, shot-gun wielding mother. And Sunshine is cute too. Bakit ka nagpagupit? 8/10


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