'Penduko' director draws 'realistic' parallels with Marvel movies

December 15 ------ Matteo Guidicelli may be the fourth actor to play the iconic Filipino superhero Pedro Penduko, but he is definitely the most ripped, robust and raw incarnation of National Artist for Literature's classic creation. 

The 33-year-old actor was definitely a sight to see at the grand and final media conference for Viva Films, Media Quest and Epik Studio's co-production for the 49th Metro Manila Festival. Bursting into the venue in full character, costume and fight mode, not one of the bad guys who tried blocking Matteo on the red carpet had a chance with his smooth, swift, skilled and powerful moves.

Finally reaching the stage where the rest of the be-costumed cast and the lone fantasy-adventure entry's esteemed writer and director — the young visionary Jason Paul Laxamana — proudly waited for Matteo, the media erupted in rousing cheers and applause. The latest Penduko in comics and movie history is truly a sight to behold. The character's leveled-up fighting skills — a result of intense martial arts training, strengthening and conditioning for months on Matteo's part — is just one of the features Direk Jason says differentiates his Peduko from his forebears, actors Efren Reyes, Jr., Ramon Zamora and of course, Janno Gibbs' comedic take on the Pinoy superhero in the '90s. "We made sure that this version has everything modern audiences look for in a superhero movie — even a 'touch of Marvel' included," the box office screenwriter and filmmaker promised.

With the earnest goal of providing the public with accurate information on what they should expect in each of the year's MMFF entries, it was this "touch of Marvel" that The Manila Times Entertainment duly picked up for questioning at the panel interview. "What exactly are 'Peduko's" parallelisms with the globally revered Marvel Cinematic Multiverse, direk?" Unfazed by the challenge, Laxamana was as honest in his explanation as he was confident. Knowledgeably, he first highlighted the elements that make Marvel movies widely popular — engaging characters, intricate plots, and a perfect balance between action and emotion. "Just like the Marvel movies whose characters were created in the 1900s, the effort to adjust Penduko's story to the present day is very clear in this movie. That's the main parallelism of our movie with theirs," Laxamana elaborated. "But if you're asking me about the effects we used in Penduko, yes, they will amaze and awe audiences but not to the extent of the effects of the Marvel movies."

Direk Jason pointed out that in terms of capability, Philippine cinema, or even Korea's celebrated film industry for that matter, can achieve what Hollywood's superhero movies can at this crossroads. "This doesn't mean our movie will lack in action or excitement. It's all there — the effects and breathtaking fight scenes. But what I can assure audiences is that, again, like Marvel movies, the priority and focus is on the story, and the effects we bring in are all in service of the movie. "Hindi tayo 'trying hard' at walang pilit (The effects won't look 'trying hard' and nothing is contrived)," Laxamana clarified. Well answered Direk Jason. That's all we wanted to know. "Penduko" also stars Kylie Verzosa, Albert Martinez, John Arcilla, Arron Villaflor, Mark Anthony Fernandez, Phoebe Walker, Marissa Sanchez, Candy Pangilinan and Andrea Del Rosario. It opens on December 25 as part of 2023's MMFF.

Source: manilatimes.net