MANILA, Philippines - Four days after the nationwide premiere of Zombadings 1: Patayin sa Shokot si Remington, a dozen additional screenings were added to the list, based on a 135-percent increase in ticket sales. Next to that equally clever Carell-Gossling movie, Zombadings was selling out shows and people were going back to watch it in cinemas for a second time.
When the movie, together with Keratin, had its advanced screening on Aug. 30 at SM Megamall, as all-out productions go, cast and crew were present to greet fans before the official screening, and “zombadings” in costumes stood by the long red carpet. The star-studded premier saw the likes of A-list celebrities Marian Rivera (who makes a cameo performance in the film), Dingdong Dantes, Vandolph, Dennis Trillo, and Mother Lilly Monteverde among a few.
The film brings slapstick comedy to another level, and the (subtle and exaggerated) puns are fresh, witty and very entertaining. Every aspect of the frame is used to utilize its comedy. Yes, it’s a story about a serial killer who uses a ray gun to detect and kill baklas one by one. And yes, the protagonist Remington (played by the talented Martin Escudero) was “cursed” into homosexuality (by the well-loved Roderick Paulate) for pointing and name-calling gays as a child. The curse becomes something he has to deal with, battling uncontrollable fits and symptoms of “gayness.”
Outrageous? Perhaps, but in true becky fashion, the underlying didactic message and the “man vs. himself” crisis of the lead character, backed by incredible performances from the whole cast, is so absurd, we have to see it again to believe it actually works.
The screenplay brings together masterminds Raymond Lee (Anak, Tanging Yaman, Milan), Michiko Yamamoto (Magnifico, Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros) and Jade Castro (Endo, My Big Love), and the outrageous plot and execution of the film, though highly dramatized, is very appropriate. Becky language subtitles? Genius.
What’s more, we are presented with fresh new talents in Kerbie Zamora and Lauren Young, and the trio is easy to love. It is obvious that the mainstream stars of Philippine cinema have become oversaturated among Filipino audiences; we’re looking for something original, something up to date with our culture. Though the movie caters to the stereotypical “salon” gay, it also tackles political homosexual issues and pokes fun at the growing trend of zombie movies. Anyway, whatever Zombadings’ underlying political motives are, they are communicated well through this hilarious comedy.
Zombadings is now showing at major cinemas nationwide, and everyone should see the movie, because creativity and humor like this does not come often.