Super Noypi can be categorized as a newcomer among the three fantasy films in this year's MMFF. Its cast is composed of a younger generation of actors and actresses. In addition, this movie is neither a sequel nor an adaptation of any book. And although the movie is about superheroes, which can be predictable, Super Noypi promises a twist in the end.
SUPER NOYPI
Cast: Jennylyn Mercado, Mark Herras, Sandara Park, Katrina Halili, John Prats, Polo Ravales, Victor Neri, Aubrey Miles, Monsour del Rosario, and Andrew Muhlach
Director: Quark Henares
Writers: Quark Henares, Fairlane Raymundo and Lorenzo Valdez
Production: Regal Entertainment
Plot: Six childhood friends discover that their parents are the legendary Super Noypi, the most powerful superheroes in the land. But when their parents are taken hostage, the six young characters—who possess the super powers of telekinesis, invisibility, superhuman strength and speed, shape shifting, magic, and the control of ice and fire—stick together to save them and the world.
Box-Office Potential: If box-office take is to be determined by special effects alone, Super Noypi can beat Enteng Kabisote by a mile. But the MMFF audience wants the tried-and-tested and the downhome story, so Super Noypi is expected to come in a far, far second to Vic Sotto's Enteng.
Awards Prediction: Super Noypi may dominate the special effects category. Producer Roselle Monteverde-Teo takes pride in how her team meticulously worked on going beyond ordinary cinematic effects. The good news is: she succeeds!
PEP reviews "Super Noypi"
With such a young cast comprising Super Noypi, moviegoers can look forward to a lively movie that provides a visual treat as well. This fantasy film is helmed by Quark Henares, who was educated in the New York Film Academy before directing his first feature film Keka (2003). The concept of good versus evil is nothing new but somehow, Direk Quark has mastered the art of telling this story in an innovative way. Compared to other superhero movies released locally, the visual effects for Super Noypi is well-crafted.
In a way, it could be said that the movie's plot and characters are representative of the Philippines today. Corruption is so rampant that there is seemingly no hope left for the country. Yet, this futuristic film fancifully re-imagines a Philippines where the younger generation has the power (or in this case, super powers) to change things for the better.
The plot. Lia (Jennylyn) is the daughter of a revolutionary leader from the year 2075. A dictator by the name of Diego is terorrizing the country. Lia travels back in time to rewrite history. She travels back in time to the year 2006 in order to gather six teenagers with extraordinary abilities. Together, they will try to defeat Diego (Monsour Del Rosario) in the hope of coming up with a better tomorrow.
Group leader Lorenzo (Mark Herras) is a nursing student with telekinesis. Annys (Katrina Halili) is an honor student with the power to become invisible. She is also the girlfriend of the happy-go-lucky Yñigo (John Prats).
Yñigo is the joker of the group. He possesses super-human strength and speed. He belongs to a family of aswangs. Euen (Polo Ravales) is a rocker who has mastered black magic. His half-sister, Michie (Sandara Park), has the power to control fire and ice.
Bratty kid Tonton (Andrew Muhlach) is the younger brother of Annys and Lorenzo who will eventually discover that he has shape-shifting abilities.
The verdict. When PEP asked me to review this fantasy film, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that Super Noypi actually surpassed my expectations.
I grew up watching superhero movies and cartoons. Truth be told, I still enjoy watching them-which is why I have managed to keep track of Filipino super heroes on television and the big screen.
In a superhero movie, there are several things to look for: the special effects, the fight scenes, the entertainment factor, and the story's originality.
When it comes to special effects, Super Noypi did not disappoint. The tecnology used to make Annys (Katrina) invisible is very believable. But with his blue-colored skin, Yñigo (John Prats) looks more like a mutant than an aswang.
Still, there are some scenes that do need improvement when it comes to special effects. While watching the mid-air collision between the heroes and the bad guys, it became apparent to the viewers that a harness was used.
The movie's vision of tomorrow also resorted to the typical stereotype of the future: there are skyscrapers everywhere, vehicles can now fly, and the high-tech gadgets are now available to everyone. However, Direk Quark gave it a Filipino touch by showing off a flying tricycle. Inflation is still very much evident since the tricycle fare is now priced at an astronomical P 40,000!
For a super hero flick, I think that Super Noypi should also improve on its stunts. In case this movie has a sequel, they might try adding a more varied choreography for the fight scenes. I noticed that the actors are too dependent on their superhuman abilities or special effects to drive the story forward.
The set used for the secret headquarters is amazing. I believe one of the highlights of the movie is the transformation of an ordinary bathroom into a magical basement. The ‘magic room' also has a gothic look and the eerie lighting complemented the magical powers of Euen (Polo) and Michie (Sandara).
Another downside to the movie would be the highly unoriginal costumes worn by the futuristic super heroes. Lia's costume looks like it was based on Angelina Jolie's costume in Tomb Raider. Tonton and Lorenzo's costume reminds one of X-men characters. The same thing could be said for Annys's costume, which looks like it was based on X-Men or Fantastic Four. On the other hand, Yñigo's costume reminded me of the ‘80s teen flick Teen Wolf while a friend of mine thought he looked like the mutant Nightcrawler of X-Men.
The movie was quite entertaining but the powers possessed by the Super Noypis—superhuman strength, speed, telekinesis, shape shifting and invisibility-have all been featured by other super heroes before. The movie producers could have designed new abilities to surprise the audience. Like maybe a spell to eradicate poverty? How about powers to make corruption vanish permanently?
When it comes to originality, the theme of good triumphing over evil has been used over and over again in super hero flicks. Quark Henares has managed to tell this story in an innovative manner. In fact, there is less talk and more action in Super Noypi.
Overall, Super Noypi gives its viewers a fresh look on the continuing battle between good and evil.