Entertainment

Five reasons to love and hate ‘Fifty Shades Freed’

Seph Asong - Philstar.com

February 15, 2018 | 1:07pm

Five reasons to love and hate â��Fifty Shades Freedâ��

"Fifty Shades Freed" opens the scene with the marvelous showing of Ana's wedding gown by Filipino-American designer Monique Lhuillier. United International Pictures/Released

MANILA, Philippines — It has been six years since the best-selling (and arguably one of the most widely talked about) three-part novel by E.L. James was released, followed by the film adaptation produced by Focus Features, Michael De Luca Productions, Trigger Street Productions, and with Universal Pictures securing the rights to the film versions.

“Fifty Shades” is a trilogy consisting of “Fifty Shades of Grey” (2011), “Fifty Shades Darker” (2012), and “Fifty Shades Freed” (2012) that features an emotional rollercoaster yet equally passionate relationship between a college graduate, Anastasia Steele (Dakota Johnson), and a handsome bachelor and business magnate, Christian Grey (Jamie Dornan).

Since the trilogy was able to cultivate massive following, it was expected that the first movie (“Fifty Shades of Grey”) will be a blockbuster hit, and it did. The movie became an overnight sensation and the controversial news about how “BDSM”: was cleverly incorporated without losing the element of romance spread like wildfire, and suddenly, everyone — from your co-workers, your friends, and even your family members — wanted to see the movie.

This, among many others, was among the reasons why Dakota and Jamie’s popularity skyrocketed ten-fold. Can you blame them? They pretty much gave it all in those daring erotic performances that sent shivers down our spine.

Fast-forward to present, “Fifty Shades Freed” has finally hit the cinemas and we have mixed emotions about it. Naturally, those who have seen the movie were not so happy about the outcome or how some important scenes from the book were either tweaked or completely stripped off.

Some fans complained that the movie (as usual) had taken an extreme 360-spin that the only interesting thing to look forward to were the bedroom scenes — wait, which room are we talking about, the regular room or the “Red Room”?

If you trace back its predecessors, “Fifty Shades” has little to do with cheesy visuals and dialogues. Romance was definitely part and parcel that made up its unique flavor, but really, the movie is about two young couple lost in an unimaginable and blazing passion, that can easily be misconstrued as lust.

“Fifty Shades Freed” is now showing in all major cinemas nationwide, and here are five reasons why it should not be missed.

They finally got hitched

One of the highlights from “Fifty Shades Darker” was the proposal, so yes, Ana finally got what she wanted in “Fifty Shades Freed.”

We like the pacing of the wedding scene—it was quick but somehow delightful, and the flashback of memories from the first and second movies was there. Seeing both characters saying their vows gave us an assurance that these two are definitely fighters; that no amount of fear or doubt will break their love. And this will surely hit close to home to those who are yearning for a “happy ending.”

Let’s not also forget how Ana’s wedding dress killed it. The long white Monique Lhuillier gown (check out the Instagram post of this globally famous Filipino-designer) she wore at her wedding day had brought out her natural beauty: simple yet elegant.

Jet-setting from Seattle to Paris

This has got to be one of our favorite scenes. Let us be honest, “Fifty Shades’” unapologetic display of Christian Grey’s wealth and lavish lifestyle that consists of luxury cars, mansions, yachts, and private parties of the elite, has always been tacky but charming, like how a prince would sweep off the feet of a damsel in distress.

Right after the wedding, the newly married couple once again showed their jet-setting style by taking a private jet from Seattle to Paris for their honeymoon.

After seeing the jet, Ana (who acted as if it was her first time to be surprised by Christian) exclaimed: “You own this?”

Ana took the wheels and freaked the wits out of Christian

Christian’s new toy in the movie is a brand-new 2017 Audi R8 and of course Ana did not let a chance go by without test driving it.

Ana showed off her driving chops; letting the Vin Diesel in her out. I guess, this is one of her qualities that truly made her a perfect match for Christian?

You have to see the movie to find out how insane her driving skills are.

Ana’s hot bodyguard

Okay, funny how it sounds but, yes, Christian’s newly hired body guard-slash-chauffer for Ana is extremely hot, and even his wife knows it. We are not exactly sure why on earth would Christian hire someone like him considering he gets jealous quite easily.

Brant Daugherty, who plays Ana’s personal bodyguard Sawyer, is not actually a new face as he already starred (with a recurring role) in the hit teen drama Television series, “Pretty Little Liars.” He also appeared on NBC’s day time drama, “Days of Our Lives.”

Too bad, this boy-next-door character was introduced super late. We felt that he should have had more exposure.

‘Freed’ nods to Pro-Life Month

How will Ana respond to threats like hot women surrounding her husband?

Will the couple still have the same passion once Ana gets pregnant and have kids?

Watch the movie and know how Ana and Christian balance between naughty and nice, love and lust — all while singing along to “Fifty Shades’” iconic soundtrack, Ellie Goulding’s “Love Me Like You Do.”