The tagalog action film genre died a long time ago from a combination of mediocrity, self censorship and excessive taxation (euphemistically called "amusement taxes"). But every once in a while, a few well meaning filmmakers attempted to revive this extinct style.
Chito Rono's Boy Golden is such an attempt. Starring the son of local porn legend George Estregan, Jorge E. R. Ejercito aka George Estregan Jr., the movie tries to combine old school action with a modern sensibility. Though the end product is quite a mixed bag and honestly isn't really to my liking but it does have a few qualities which I find to be commendable and deserves a well earned kudos for the filmmakers.
The one obvious admirable trait of the film is the production which didn't cheap out on the scenery or even on the titular character's fake beard. The various sets in the film convey a sort of dreamy ambiance and kaleidescope effect such as the nightclub and evening street scenes. The world presented in the movie is like a bastardized fusion of Marty Mcfly's parents' hometown and something out of Jim Carrey's The Mask. Evidently, Estregan Jr., infused a lot of cash into the film which gave the director enough leeway to reimagine 1950s Manila as this romanticized hub straight from Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (that's exactly the feel I get out of the film and Frank Miller's Sin City it is not).
First off, the restoration of blood effects during gunfights is a step in the right direction though a few of the bit players in the movie still ended up with no squibs, specifically in the scene when Putla (Baron Geisler) mowed down the bahala na goons, which didn't really achieve the desired effect of creating a modicum of film realism. Still, the effects team should be commended for pulling off a great job especially in the final sequence when the lead character is torn apart by bullets.
On the other hand, there are some stylistic choices in the script which aren't really any good. The decision to treat the story as this wacky, buffoonish tale of a middle aged looking goon who listens to Elvis isn't conducive to a compelling narrative. Even the supposed bahala na gang members don't look like hoodlums but variety show dancers.
Finally, the lead actor, Estregan Jr., is the wrong choice to play the role. The scene in the ice plant had a very unflattering shot of the dude with his beer belly jutting out. No amount of digital editing in the studio could erase this embarrassing sight. It's like Steven Seagal in one of his direct to video films, only much worse. The one saving grace of the movie apart from the production is Estregan Jr.'s leading lady, KC Concepcion who's main function as eye candy serves to divert the viewer's attention from the stilted dialogue, corny monologue and absurd sequences.
To conclude, the film is silly entertainment and dumb in all the right places. But the Clive Owen starrer, Shoot 'Em Up is a much better choice if one wants some brainless waste of time.
