Kritikultura
Review aggregator | Filipino films
Review aggregator for homegrown Filipino films
Kritikultura
Review aggregator | Filipino films
Review aggregator for homegrown Filipino films
Mixed reviews
US-raised 20-year-old embarks on a Philippine journey after his father's death, uncovering a curse and evil threatening the town.
Penduko is your entertaining adventure film this Christmas. Kudos to the film for a different take on superhero film that highlights Filipino myths and folklore. It is like the local version of Harry Potter. 4/5
”[...] Filipino culture is portrayed as something that has so many layers, so many stories — this writer learned so much about folk healing in two hours (and is now eager to learn more!).
”Maganda sana ang kwento nitong Penduko. Pero hindi nakaka-enganyo at hindi maganda ang pagkakakwento. Kulang sa buhay at sa puso. 0.9/5
”A surprisingly fun film at first, until it fails you halfway through. 5.7/10
”Penduko feels like a film from MMFF's past. It has a ton of very interesting ideas, but the ideas don't always work out. 2.5/5
”While the way this film ended opened it up for a possible sequel, it is not ideally tailored for the kiddie demographic that it targets, who would have preferred something more inspirational or heartwarming. 5/10
”Penduko features an admirable attempt at modernizing Filipino folklore and witchcraft but is undone by haphazard plotting, cringe dialogue, and a twist that seems to just be done for twists sake. (B-)
”It's really weird, because this is a story where the hero learns nothing.
”...its a nice try but madaming [kailangan] ayusin though I know patok ito sa mga bata, [...]. (2/5)
”‘Penduko’ wastes its world building with weak choices. (2/5)
”Thanks to a severely miscast Matteo Guidicelli, plus the weak and rushed screenplay, this latest version of Penduko ends up as a forgettable cringe fest.
”Nakakainip, kulang sa aksyon, at pilit ang pagpapatawa sa ilang eksena. Nalaro naman nila ang konsepto ng kulam pero hindi talaga umubra. 2.5/10
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