RPG Metanoia – Review

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43 comments Jan 5, 2011  |   Posted by in Anime Film Reviews

Home  \  RPG Metanoia – Review

A buddy of mine named Will, reviewed a film on his blog that peaked my interest. It was entitled RPG Metanoia and it just so happened to be a Filipino production, the country’s first ever full-length 3D animated film. I confess that I had my share of red flags about this film, but, after watching a few minutes of this, and especially living as a gamer, this movie became interesting. The plot goes a bit like this: A character named Nico and his friends are skillful and avid players of the MMORPG Game known as Metanoia. Of course they get sucked in ala .Hack anime series.  It also has a lot of values about family and friends so its a good film for all ages.

Things change when a malevolent program takes over the minds of virtual users, and render them in a zombie-like trance. It is one video game movie that really does mirror, interpret, and captures the essence of MMORPG gaming. I was wondering how this film was so spot on about the culture but then I remember that Phillipines is populated with plenty of gamers who can understand and display the psyche of a gamer quite effectively on screen. Both children and grown-ups can get something out of this movie. Although I didn’t watch this film in 3-D, it is a no brainer to exclaim how terrific the animation is done. The music score was also spot on and only heightened already great scenes. If you’re a parent who wonders why your kid spends all of his time in front of the computer, watch this movie.

Many people keep complaining about the stagnation of Philippine cinema but they fail to support films that break the tiresome mold.  Trust me, even I am guilty of this as well but this film changed my perspective. There appear to be plans to distribute this to foreign countries, as the subtitles for the Korean and Japanese dialog were in English, instead of Filipino. This struck me as odd and it seems there were also other little odds and ends in the film as well.  Will has reported that the 3D effects only happen when the characters are within Metanoia, while scenes in the real world are 2D. Seeing it only in 2D I didn’t catch this but it doesn’t seem like that technique would add anything particularly interesting.

Like I stated before, I, who have never been a big fan of Filipino films, went into the film expecting to be disappointed. Well, Dreamworks & Pixar, eat your heart out! RPG Metanonia includes the voices of Aga Muhlach and Eugene Domingo (as Nico’s parents), Zaijan Jaranilla, Mika dela Cruz, Vhong Navarro. They have done a superb job as providing the voices. Too many films are trying to push the envelope nowadays, with Toy Story 3 being a good example to having numerous scenes that deal with death. RPG: MEtanoia is an animated film which brings you back to the age of innocence. Director Luis Suarez guides the film with a sure hand and it ends up as a brisk, winning effort with endearing and touching moments. Color me surprised, Phillipines have a film they can be proud of, thumbs up!



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  • http://www.melikesart.blogspot.com Will

    Love love love love this movie. Immediately took me back on my knee-scraping childhood, playing street games outside.

  • Guest

    I watched this movie 5 times on Cinema XD 2 or 3 times in 3D I absolutely love it.

  • http://twitter.com/prestopriemo John Mark

    “Many people keep complaining about the stagnation of Philippine cinema but they fail to support films that break the tiresome mold.”

    Very well said bro, very well said.

  • Sickcurtain16

    ‎”Many people keep complaining about the stagnation of Philippine cinema but they fail to support films that break the tiresome mold. ”

    - Good comment by the blogger. Eto talaga ang problema sa tin. Naiinis tayo sa mga palabas pero pag may inoffer na magaganda, di naman natin sinusuportahan. It’s sad that other nation appreciate our movies more than our own people. Emir was one of the good movies produced recently, but it seemed not to get into the radar of the Filipino people. Sadly, it seemed that other nation appreciates our crafts more than us.

  • Ijhames

    “Will has reported that the 3D effects only happen when the characters are within Metanoia, while scenes in the real world are 2D.”

    :…agree ako dito.”’/ ito lang talaga ang naging problema sa movie..but as the movie.ASTIG LAHAT.!

  • http://mapanuri.wordpress.com/ Mapanuri

    I have seen this movie myself and I have nothing to say but GREAT!.. It really takes our film making to the next level and a fantastic first in 3D animation. I even recommended it to my friends who are not fond of watching Filipino films. As you have said, many of us say that watching our own are “baduy, korni” and then complain that the movie industry is dying, quality of films are low and not worth it to watch. Supporting our own films is vital and that’s what we need. It’s a mentality that we should learn to dispose of our systems.

  • http://japancinema.net Marcello

    Thanks for the reply by both you and John Mark. I feel things will definitely improve and Filipino people are spreading the word of mouth on this film like wildfire so I can only see this film making a positive impact in your nation.

  • Tokwagawa

    something new for us Filipinos but nothing new for the world. final fantasy advent children was released 5 years ago but this 2010 movie’s animation can’t match up to that one. the storyline is almost like a rip-off from summer wars released a year earlier and with a hell of a lot better animation..

    i mean, seriously, we should raise our standards a little bit higher.

    sure. this movie is gold compared to enteng kabisote and other IQ-lowering movies of the MMFF, but i know that we can do better.

  • Anonymous

    Final Fantasy Advent Children? REALLY??? If that’s your standard, it’s pretty poor then. Remember that FF had the whole Square Enix Studio working on it, while Metanoia was the work of just a handful of people. This is stuff is pretty legit, a feat when you think about it.

  • http://japancinema.net Marcello

    I must agree, RPG Metanoia took 4 years to make with a small staff while a huge staff took 2 years to make Advent Children, and in fact, the difficulties in making Sephiroth caused the staff to reduce his appearances in the film. There were no compromises made in this film and it stands as a pure achievement.

  • Arjun

    The movie is very FILIPINO. Values and culture are intact. I can’t help but reminisce my childhood days when I used to play those street games. Too bad children nowadays spend more of their time on online games.

  • Red C

    Raising the standard? There is no standard yet in our country, that’s why I love this movie. It’s not perfect definitely but it had set the standard, a platform where Filipino cgi films can be launched. It was definitely a step in the right direction worth encouraging so that people with real vision and talent can say “finally, we can do it here in the Philippines”.

  • http://twitter.com/inyiboi Renniel Inyi M.Yruma

    definitely one great improvement in the locas cinemas here in the Philippines. When you see RPG Metanoia you will be proud Pinoy! The concept and Story was very pinoy. I myself still can’t believe that RP has already did this very 1st full length 3D animated Film.

    I am bit sad that it will only run for 3 weeks and has only gross estimated 30 million in its 2nd week unlike its rivals in MMFF which has almost 100 million, maybe this due to its limited screen showings after its 2 weeks. How I wish my fellow Filipinos supports it to the MAX, coz it was really awesome and is worth watching!

    Anyways, Congratulations to the people behind this movie, Ambient Media, Thaumotrope Animation, You guys ROCKS! and also to Star Cinema who 1st believed in this project.

    Smile!!!! :)

  • Merceadelan

    to :tokwagawa…you are talking about “standards” and “IQ-lowering movies”. Just what in RPG Metanoia did not come up with your kind of standard/s? A low IQ is still an IQ and wanting standard/s that’s a little BIT higher than where “you” are ; no wonder enteng kabisote must have been gold to you until ( did you watch the movie tho’) RPG Metanoia came to your awareness…but let me say this… if this handful group is given the use of “similar to Square Enix Studio” they, not could but will give something “new” to the world’s entertainment.

  • Broken_Noah

    “Many people keep complaining about the stagnation of Philippine cinema but they fail to support films that break the tiresome mold.”

    I can’t speak for anyone but as a moviegoer I was burned a lot with Filipino movies hence the hesitation to support anything. Going to the movies costs significant money so I rarely dare watch Pinoy movies. Medyo safe kapag foreign although I have my fair share of clunkers. Part of the problem maybe is that I was weaned too much on foreign movies. Maybe I just don’t get it especially the romcoms peddled by Star Cinema (we all know sa huli magkakatuluyan naman yung lead actor at actress).

    I may watch this, not because of the review or because it was made by a fellow countryman but because there’s a small promise of a good story. I’m not looking for a Pixar-quality CG (and comparing this effort to theirs is silly) but if the story is sound, it’s all good.

    One thing na matagal ko ng pinagtatakhan sa mga Pinoy: Why is it when somebody disagrees or dislike anything we made, it’s like an affront to everyone and their lolas. Baligtarin natin and it’s the same. When we play catch up with the rest of the world (like RPG Metanoia), it’s like the greatest thing in God’s green Earth and every Juan and Pedro should be dag on proud or something. No offense meant to anyone, I just don’t buy into this weird (at least for me) nationalism bit.

  • doggie

    Well, your comment that the movie was ripped off from Summer Wars is a load of crap, since that movie just came out last year, and RPG was in development for 5 years before now. I hope you realize that not even Pixar can finish a 3D movie in a year, much less a group of 26 people with hell of a lot less money to spend.

  • doggie

    Whoops, just realized it’s 2011 already, Summer wars was released 2009…

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_VPKLWS3YTB72B4K3Q3B77GL2ZM Jio

    True, so true. We should be proud of this movie yet let us not go too much on “boasting to the world” that we are the greatest (with this movie that is). Please, let’s all accept criticisms since all movies are criticized and guaged. Let’s learn from comments of everybody, be it good and bad, thank them, and move on to create a better 3D animated movie. Just like the Japanese and Koreans when they create their animes and movies – don’t stop creating a better and improved version of the previous product.

    Kudos to this movie and the staff.

  • Journeyman

    “Well, Dreamworks & Pixar, eat your heart out!”

    Careful about comments like this. If an international audience reads this and sets the bar that high, RPG is sure to disappoint. We’re still far from that level of quality, and while the movie is a great effort, a line like this reeks of empty bravado.

  • euge

    I am guilty of always bashing out Filipino Movies because they always have the same formula especially in romantic movies. However, after reading your blog, I was strucked and I felt very guilty about not supporting any filipino movies.

    and after reading all the comments I wil definitely try to catch this one on video city. Or is there a blu ray version coming out? If yes, then great!

  • http://www.webninjawannabe.com Ven Francis

    IMHO, the only thing i don’t like with the filipino is the lack of originality and creativity especially kung TV network ang producer. kaya wala akong gana manuod ng tv maliban sa balita at Mara Clara :P …

    for me , as for the animation aspect and quality, good as game but not as a movie… pixar nor dreamworks can not eat their heart out as what you’ve stated.

    nice work for the development team though…

  • SonMei

    I used to love Filipino Movies of ’90s; full of actions, love and moral lesson. But Filipino Movies nowadays are always tagged as “Romance and Drama” which is somehow, “NOT SO” good for all of us anymore(to think with our Country’s Status).

    But after seeing this whole 3D animated movie, it was like a big “WOW” for me to see a Filipino-made RPG Animation. And hell yeah, it’s a big bang for all Filipinos that worked hard even at a crucial state of “corruption”.

    In short and at last, I’ve started once again to admire the Filipino works. =)

    Mabuhay tayo mga Pinoy!

  • screamingmango

    Voices of Aga, et al does not mean it has good voice casting. Our seasoned voice actors like JayAr Flores could have done a better job with the dialogs. But yes, I think we got what it takes to produce good 3D movies too, if we could only set aside the usual hangups like “being Filipino” or “natiobalism”. Art should have no boundaries, abd this is a work of art.

  • screamingmango

    Voices of Aga, et al does not mean it has good voice casting. Our seasoned voice actors like JayAr Flores could have done a better job with the dialogs. But yes, I think we got what it takes to produce good 3D movies too, if we could only set aside the usual hangups like “being Filipino” or “natiobalism”. Art should have no boundaries, abd this is a work of art.

  • Audrey Rose Risma

    after reading “THE SECOND COMING OF STEVE JOBS” definitely pixar will really eat it hearts out after watching this movie…

  • Nimbus Gan

    this movie is a f*ckin’ trip down memory lane, I love it! The animation may have its share of flaws but the story makes up for it, kudos!

  • Rhai

    bata? online game? top up ka muna kid.

  • Jdolom

    filipino artist are good.. they have the talent … but lack in funding give them the fund and they give you the best

  • shox

    mrami ng kabataan ang mgaling sa online games pre.

  • Whathell

    what a mess lol

  • Pikablue_33

    This movie sucks.. I got in, watched a few scenes and got out of the cinema.. Talagang di ko kaya ang pagsasalita ng mga tao sa pinoy movies, maxadong formal.. Poor dubbing pa.. parang ung mga naririnig ko sa Hero..

  • Flor Dann Fernando

    tama yan, pero dapat wag na mangopya ng kwento sa mga hollywood movies. at makisabay dapat sa technology ng filmmaking.

  • http://www.raidertickets.org/ Raider Tickets

    Yeah I agree, Saw this movie last December. Good job for the Filipinos!

  • Eklire

    Masakit mang sabihin na ang karamihan sa ating mga Pilipino ay bumabase sa pagkilala ng magandang Pelikula dahil sa kanilang Idolo. Kahit na walang makukuhang ideya o maari mong magamit sa iyong hinaharap ok lang basta! pinanood lang ang pelikula ng kanilang idolo. Kaya nga halos ang mga talunan dito sa pinas ay boung tinatangap sa ibang bansa dahilan sa iba kung kumilatis ang ibang bayan. Salamat sa mga nagkagusto sa RPG Metanoia Salamat!

  • Hateful

    dogcrap

  • Migsterz

    i have watched this movie in big screen…i like it :) i like seeing things that i usually encounter everyday in animation …

  • rockett

    agree ako diyan, bro. pero sana (sana lang) indie para hindi lamunin ng commercialism yung movie. pag indie kasi, mas realistic at hindi idealistic to the point na it would end up as another “romance and drama” like sonmei above said.

  • Ussja

    crap

  • black

    do you know the word “technology” means in the world of 3d animation?
    pasalamat tayo kahit mejo kulang ang resources ng mga cg artists ng ambient, nagawan nila ng paraan. tandaan mo pre, sa pixar more than 500 ang gumagawa sa isang feature film. sa RPG metanoia more than 20 lang ang gumawa jan.

  • PuchuPuchuMabantot

    Gusto ko panuorin ulit. Leche. DVD! Naasan na huh? Kahit torrent man lang ng RPG Metanoia, hindi ko ma download. Gusto ko ulit panuorin ang RPG Matanoia… na mimiss ko na siya. Ang ganda kase e. Sieynsya na.

  • Gry From Europe

    Will this movie be out there in English or French ??

  • Asdfsdf

    For me this movie is GREAT! of course, it’s not the same as the pixal films but knowing that this is the first 3D anime movie, hmmmm… try to look to the first movie of pixal…. i appreciate even the story of this film, it’s like the combination of Filipino-reality and fantasy. 

  • R0n4ld

    For me this movie is GREAT! of course, it’s not the same as the pixar films but knowing that this is the first 3D anime movie, hmmmm… try to look to the first movie of pixar…. i appreciate even the story of this film, it’s like the combination of Filipino-reality and fantasy 




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