Film Review - Enteng Kabisote 2

Good humor on your seats
By: Rianne Hill Soriano

Starring: Vic Sotto, Kristine Hermosa, Ruby Rodriguez, Victor Neri, Bing Loyzaga
Directed by: Tony Y. Reyes

Enteng Kabisote 2 seriously gives laughter. Looks like Vic Sotto’s comedic style is still as effective as it has been decades ago. This movie does not have promising special effects, does not even have an outstanding storyline nor screenplay, but one good thing about it is that it’s sincere in making the audience laugh. It’s good humor on your seats.

I haven’t watched the first installment of Enteng Kabisote so I can’t make a comparison (All I know is that both of them are MMFF top-grossers). But the interesting idea to ponder on is the kind of charisma Vic Sotto and his ‘showbiz family’ (I’m not just talking about blood relations) provide in the world of comedy. I should say, this movie couldn’t be as effective as it is if not for their presence. The good sense of humor is apparent all throughout. Even the Shrek look of Jose is not as irritating as other copycats trying to ride on the fame of a Hollywood sensation. The egg wheeling down the highway still works in that slapstick fashion.

The special effects area is not so appealing. Though the CGI of the dragon is quite better than that of Mulawin’s, the slow motion effect of most action scenes doesn’t prove much of the technical prowess of the special effects department. Some chroma shots (like that of the Niagara Falls-looking background of Alissa - I’m not sure with the spelling of her name - and Benok) really look fake especially with an eagle-eyed viewer. The action scenes are generally poor. Neither does the shots and editing look impressive. It also becomes a victim of too choppy cuts at times.

The special effects area is not so appealing. Though the CGI of the dragon is quite better than that of Mulawin’s, the slow motion effect of most action scenes doesn’t prove much of the technical prowess of the special effects department. Some chroma shots (like that of the Niagara Falls-looking background of Alissa - I’m not sure with the spelling of her name - and Benok) really look fake especially with an eagle-eyed viewer. The action scenes are generally poor. Neither does the shots and editing look impressive. It also becomes a victim of too choppy cuts at times.

Alice Dixon used to play Enteng’s wife in the TV series. And now she’s the freakin’ mother-in-law! Actually, it’s not as bad. She plays the role quite well and she manages to get into the character fair enough. It’s good that her role is a fairy queen and there’s an excuse for her to use magic to make herself look younger and to look different in every installment of the movie. I wonder why in the story, her two fairy sisters ‘didn’t do the same way?’ Nevertheless, the Marquezian English of Melanie is still amusing. Tony Rose Gayda’s aura and acting for the role is just so-so. Kristine Hermosa is still way too young to be Oyo Boy Sotto's mother. The movie can still work without Oyo. His efforts are not good enough. Aiza Seguerra still proves a good performance in the comedy department amidst her real-life lesbian image. Bing Loyzaga, as usual, gives that antagonistic presence. So goes with Epy Quizon, Victor Neri and the rest of Satana’s sinister warriors. Alissa, Inna Verde’s adopted daughter, gives a quite impressive execution of her simple action scenes as a newbie in big screen. I wonder why in the story, she has been trained with certain swordsfighting skills while Fay hasn’t been at all… The PLDT girl and Pang-gay cameos give no connection to what’s happening at all, but the heck, they are really funny! Vic and Joey are their usual selves, exhibiting the same act they have portrayed a million times before. And yet, their style really gives laughs until now. The Shrek role of Jose is never trying hard and he gives out really funny scenes as well. He is a good help to push the movie further especially during the dragging parts. The best thing in the comedians in this movie is that, no matter how corny the dialogues are, they generally deliver good punchlines.

This movie is really targeted to make big money in the box-office. As an MMFF entry, it targets children and the masses as its market. All in all, its mainstream aura is worth some laughs and basic lessons that kids will learn from. It’s good that it doesn’t look as pretentious and as competitive in the other aspects of film production compared to the other entries. It’s like, it is there just to make us laugh. If Exodus covers up its weaknesses with impressing special effects, this one covers up everything with its comedy. This feel-good movie is not a competitor in the technical area (cinematography, special effects, sound, not even with production design). Its concept, story and screenplay are nothing new. It’s shallow but fun. It may not be trying to be as techie as the other MMFF entries but it is the kind of movie that can momentarily erase problems and make a relaxation by making the jaw muscles happy. And it becomes successful in doing just that.