Heneral Luna Movie Review
HENERAL LUNA: READER-RESPONSE CRITIQUE
This movie is for paying tribute to a heroic military commander leading the Philippine struggle for independence at the end of the 19th century, Heneral Luna is a sturdy, stirring if perhaps sometimes simplistic historical epic about bravery and treachery in a country at war. Based on the final years of Antonio Luna, a European-educated scientist-turned-soldier who was murdered by his rivals when he was just 32, this blockbuster has generated immense talks in the Philippines especially by the students.
The movie was graphic and brutal and it did not gloss over the real violence of war. It showed the blood, the sweat and tears that every Filipino who fought for our freedom shed. ‘Til the end, Heneral Luna displayed frightening bravery in front of his enemies. We can also see in this film that Philippine politics is pretty much still the same – we elect politicians who serve themselves, not the people; or those who opt to be diplomatic and safe so as not to hurt their popularity.
The settings of the film are really close to what I expected of our beautiful home, Philippines. The way how Filipinos live simple that time when they needed to make food for everyday life, the way we work,where there are no tall structures, pollution, traffic. There is also a part of film where Gen. Luna was killed, and dragged his dead body, as it is shown, it portrays the same angle as the “Spoliarium” painting of Gen. Luna’s brother, Juan Luna. The knowledge of Heneral Luna was recorded by Joven because Heneral Luna wanted the Filipinos to learn from their mistakes and to defend what is right. Mistakes were made, but the Filipinos have to learn from them and move forward. Only Filipinos can help their fellowmen. No one else will.
